A Sample Daily Schedule
This schedule is meant to be a gentle guide, not a rigid rulebook. Puppies thrive on predictability, especially during the transition from our home to yours. Keeping a similar rhythm in the early weeks helps your puppy settle more quickly and feel secure.
You can gradually adjust this schedule to fit your household over time.
Morning
6 – 7 AM
Potty
Wake Up & Outside
Carry your puppy straight to their potty spot before their paws touch the floor. Use the same word or phrase every time — "go potty!" works great. The moment they go, big praise and a treat.
Carry them for the first few days. It makes a real difference in getting outside before an accident happens.
6 – 7 AM
Meal 1
Breakfast
Feed in the crate — this is how we do it here, and it builds such a positive association with crate time. Divide the daily recommended amount into three equal meals. Your pup may not eat much the first few days in a new home, and that's completely normal.
~20 min
after eating
after eating
Potty
Potty Break
Outside again — puppies almost always need to go within 15–20 minutes of eating. Watch for sniffing and circling; those are your telltale signs!
7 – 9 AM
Play
Supervised Play
Short, gentle play and bonding time. Practice a little "sit" work, introduce new sounds and textures, and just enjoy your puppy! Keep it calm — about 20 minutes of play, then a rest period.
Try tethering your puppy to you while you do morning chores. It keeps them safe and helps them bond with you naturally.
9 – 11 AM
Rest
Morning Nap in Crate
Young pups need up to 18 hours of sleep a day — rest really is that important. A well-rested puppy is a much happier, easier-to-train puppy. Crate time and nap time go hand in hand.
Midday
11 AM
Potty
Potty Break
Outside the moment they wake from their nap. Every single time, without exception — this rhythm is what makes potty training click so quickly.
12 – 1 PM
Meal 2
Lunch
Second meal in the crate. No food after 6 or 7 PM — it really does help with nighttime bathroom trips.
~20 min
after eating
after eating
Potty
Potty Break
Outside after lunch, same as always. Praise like they just did the most incredible thing — because right now, they kind of did!
1 – 3 PM
Play
Play & Socialization
Another supervised play session — a wonderful time for short walks, gentle visitors, or new experiences. An 8-week-old may only make it about 5 minutes on a walk before tiring out, and that's perfectly fine. Let them lead.
3 – 5 PM
Rest
Afternoon Nap in Crate
Back to the crate for the afternoon snooze. If your puppy cries, wait for a quiet moment before opening the door — always reward calm, never crying.
Evening
5 PM
Potty
Potty Break
Outside after the afternoon nap — same spot, same phrase, same praise. You're building a habit that will last a lifetime.
5 – 6 PM
Meal 3
Dinner
Last meal of the day, in the crate. Once your puppy reaches 3–4 months, you can transition to just two meals a day. No food after 6 or 7 PM, and water goes up at 7 PM.
~20 min
after eating
after eating
Potty
Potty Break
Outside right after dinner — same routine every time.
6 – 8 PM
Family Time
Wind-Down Together
Calm, cozy time with the family — gentle cuddles, quiet play on the floor. This is when your pup learns to simply be with you. Keep the energy soft so bedtime comes easily. Water goes up at 7 PM.
A calm puppy at 8 PM is a sleeping puppy by 10. Keeping excitement low in the evenings really does pay off.
9 – 10 PM
Potty
Last Potty of the Night
One final trip outside before bed. Make sure they actually go — it helps everyone sleep a little longer.
10 – 11 PM
Rest
Bedtime
Crate near your bed for the first few weeks. Cover it with a light blanket or a worn t-shirt that smells like you — that scent is so comforting to them. If they whimper, slip your fingers through the wires so they know you're close. Very young pups may still need a 2–3 AM potty trip, but it gets better quickly — we promise.
Always go outside after these moments
First Thing in the Morning
Before anything else — carry them straight out.
After Every Meal
Within 15–20 minutes of eating, every time.
Waking from a Nap
The moment they stir — out the door.
After Play
When play starts winding down, head outside.
Coming Out of the Crate
Every single time they exit the crate.
Every 1.5 – 2 Hours
When in doubt, just take them out.
Daytime Crate Duration by Age
| Age | Max Duration | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 – 10 Weeks | 30 – 60 minutes | |
| 11 – 14 Weeks | 1 – 3 hours | |
| 15 – 16 Weeks | 3 – 4 hours | |
| 17+ Weeks | Up to 6 hours |