Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, joyful, and a big responsibility. Below are important tips to help your puppy transition smoothly into your home and stay healthy and happy.
Your puppy will come home with his or her first set of vaccinations. However, several additional vaccinations are required before your puppy can safely walk in public places.
Until your puppy is fully vaccinated:
• Do not allow your puppy to walk in public areas such as pet stores, veterinary offices, parks, sidewalks, or dog parks.
• You may carry your puppy in your arms, in a cart, stroller, or in a front carrier such as a Paw-a-Boo.
• Do not allow strangers to pet your puppy unless they wash their hands or use sanitizer.
Parvovirus is highly contagious and often fatal in young puppies. It spreads easily through contaminated ground surfaces and can even be brought home on shoes.
If your puppy shows signs of bloody diarrhea, vomiting, or lethargy, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Goldendoodles require consistent ear care.
• Clean ears every 3 days (weekly at minimum).
• Use a cotton pad moistened with ear cleanser.
• Clean more frequently if you notice brown debris.
• Always clean ears after bathing or swimming.
If ears develop an unpleasant odor, your puppy may have a yeast infection and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
You may use ear powder and hemostats to gently remove excess hair from the ear canal. Only remove hair — never pull on the inner ear tissue. If unsure, watch a trusted instructional video or consult your groomer or vet.
Regular ear maintenance helps prevent infections and costly vet visits.
Daily brushing is essential to prevent matting.
• Use a firm but gentle slicker brush.
• Lightly mist the coat with a grooming spray if needed.
• Work through tangles gently and thoroughly.
Without regular brushing, coats can become matted and may need to be shaved down by the groomer.
• Wipe paws with baby wipes as needed.
• Apply a small amount of coconut oil to dry paw pads.
• Check between toes every few days for debris.
• Ask your groomer to clean/shave between paw pads (without shaving the top of the foot).
Goldendoodles require grooming every 6–8 weeks.
More frequent visits during puppyhood help them learn patience and build positive grooming experiences.
• Keep hair trimmed around the eyes to prevent irritation.
• Gently wipe away any eye discharge with a warm cloth.
• Keep nails trimmed between grooming visits.
Daily brushing is critical. If the coat becomes severely matted, shaving may be necessary.
• If nails feel sharp, file them gently.
• You may trim nails yourself with proper clippers, or have your groomer or vet maintain them.
Wash and refill your puppy’s water bowl every 1–2 days.
Unwashed bowls can develop slime and bacteria that may cause illness.
Feed approximately 1/3 cup, three times per day (adjust based on weight and food guidelines).
• Allow your puppy to eat, then remove uneaten food.
• Puppies typically need to potty shortly after eating.
• Scheduled feeding supports easier potty training.
Crates are a helpful and positive training tool.
• Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area.
• Use the crate for sleep or short periods when unattended.
• Keep bedding simple and washable.
• Some puppies prefer a snuggle toy; others prefer a cool surface.
We begin crate exposure early to give your puppy a strong foundation.
Avoid rawhide and cooked bones, as they can splinter or cause blockages.
Safe options include:
• Nylabones
• Kong toys (stuffed with moistened dog food or Kong filling and frozen)
• Small milk bones (1–2 small daily or one medium)
• Raw frozen bones for teething puppies
You will need:
• A crate (wire crates that fold are sturdy and practical)
• A puppy playpen
• Appropriate chew toys
Choose quality products that are safe and durable.
Puppies explore with their mouths.
• Use bitter apple spray on items you want protected.
• Keep shoes, socks, and small objects out of reach.
• Supervise your puppy closely.
Think of your puppy like a toddler — prevention is key.
Puppies typically need to potty:
• After waking
• After eating
• After playtime
Take your puppy to the same potty spot each time and use a consistent command such as “Go potty.”
Consistency is the key to fast and successful training.
We highly recommend Baxter & Bella Online Puppy School, especially for first-time owners.
While online training is not a substitute for in-person socialization, it provides excellent instruction for:
• Basic obedience
• Advanced skills
• Therapy or service training preparation
Preparing 3–4 weeks before bringing your puppy home can make a big difference.
• Small pieces of hot dogs work well for training.
• Soft training treats cut into tiny pieces are ideal.
• Keep treats small to avoid overfeeding.
1. “Leave It” vs. “Wait”
“Leave it” means the item is off limits — permanently. Never reward your puppy with the item you asked them to leave. This command can protect your puppy in dangerous situations.
“Wait” means pause until given permission.
Use both consistently and practice in various situations.
1. “Leave It” vs. “Wait”
“Leave it” means the item is off limits — permanently. Never reward your puppy with the item you asked them to leave. This command can protect your puppy in dangerous situations.
“Wait” means pause until given permission.
Use both consistently and practice in various situations.
2. Teaching Commands
When teaching commands such as “Sit”:
• Do not push your puppy’s body into position.
• Do not repeat the command multiple times.
• Guide your puppy into position first, then add the verbal cue once they understand the behavior.
Clarity and consistency build confidence.
3. Use Hand Signals
Pairing a hand motion with a verbal command is highly effective.
In many situations, your puppy may respond faster to a visual cue than a verbal one. Teaching both creates a well-rounded and attentive companion.
Enjoy your puppy.
Play with them.
Cuddle them.
Be patient with them.
They grow up quickly — soak in every sweet moment.