The Puppy Training Routine

Setting up a routine is crucial for any new addition to your home. Whether you're adopting a puppy or an older dog, every pooch needs a stable, predictable routine to follow.

What do I mean by routine?

I mean you need to set up a wake up time, potty time, feeding time, exercise time, and nap time for your pup.

Here is an example of my puppy's routine:

• 5:00am: Wake up, go outside to go potty
• 5:30am: Eat food/drink water
• 5:45am: Go back outside until he potties
• 6:00am: If he does go potty outside, he gets "free time" in his exercise pen. This is when he can play with toys, run around and just relax.
• 7:00am: Back in crate for "nap time". 
• 8:00am: (or whenever he wakes up) Walk. 
• 9:00am: Back in exercise pen/crate for the afternoon. 
• 9:00am - 12:00pm: He is in the exercise pen/crate. 
• 12:00pm: Sitter comes over to let him outside to go potty and for some playtime.
• 1:00pm: Back in exercise pen/crate
• 5:00pm: Mommy/Daddy home from work, go straight outside to potty and for a walk
• 6:00pm: Dinner time!
• 6:15pm: Potty break again
• 6:30pm: Back in crate (because he usually hasn't done his business) 

After that we periodically take him outside depending on the signs he is showing us. He also receives as much love and playtime before bed.

So How Do I Make a Routine?

In order to make a great routine for you and your puppy you're first going to have to sit down and consider your schedule. When do you wake up for work? You're going to want to wake up about an hour earlier to take care of your puppy's needs first. How long are you at work? Will someone be able to come over in the middle of the day while you're working to let your puppy relieve himself? How much time do you have at the end of the day to take care of your pup? What other family members will be helping you care for the puppy? There are all critical questions to ask yourself.

Next, you want to consider your puppy set up. When you take your puppy outside, always take him to the same place. When your puppy is fed, always feed him in the same place. Even little things like taking the same path through the house to go potty and to go to the food bowl are important to a new puppy.

When Should I Begin My Puppy Routine?

Begin your puppy routine the moment you arrive home with your new family member. This will put him on the right track from the beginning and you'll avoid starting any bad habits. Your puppy is going to need some time to adjust to this routine so expect some crying and protests at the beginning, but after a week or so both you and your puppy will be happy you're on a schedule!