Puppy Planning Guide

Context

• Puppy: Mini goldendoodle (working name Piko), arriving September 2026 (8 weeks old). Placeholder pickup date Sep 15, 2026 (born ~July 21); exact date TBD until breeder confirms.
• Breeder: Homestead Doodles LLC (parents: Lulu & Theodore, litter LM-326)
• ⚠️ First-2-weeks coverage TBD: Momo is already back in school (started Sep 2) by the time the puppy comes home, so there is no “home with Momo” phase. Daytime coverage for the critical first ~2 weeks still needs to be worked out (Nick time off? puppy to office from day one?).
• Puppy goes to office with Nick on weekdays from pickup; Momo can help evenings and weekends
• Night sleeping: crate in Momo’s room from night one. Puppy is still crate-trained (its “den” goes where it sleeps), but sleeps near family to encourage Momo↔Piko bonding and avoid isolation stress. Balance: keep the crate routine consistent so the puppy is equally comfortable in it anywhere.
• Overnight potty (first ~2 weeks): shared — Nick takes weeknights so Momo can sleep for school; Momo takes weekends.
• When Momo leaves for college (~2028), Piko likely moves to Nick’s room at night. Because the crate routine is kept consistent, this is just a location change for the same den.
• Workshop on property has a heated kennel with shower — used for daytime crating, grooming, eventual full-day use as the dog matures, and night sleeping when Nick travels (a familiar safe spot when no one’s home to do night breaks).
• Doggy door → self-service potty (goal): the workshop kennel has a doggy door to a secure outdoor run. Once Piko is reliably house-trained and mature enough (~6+ months, after full immunity), the goal is she can let herself out for bathroom breaks — extending alone time and easing the scheduled-break / office-commute dependency. Introduce it only after solid house-training, and only with the run confirmed fully secure (fencing, no escape or predator risk).

1. Two-Year Timeline (September 2026 - July 2028)

2. Crate & Kennel Setup Checklist

Two locations: the night crate in Momo’s room (bonding) and the workshop kennel for daytime crating, grooming, and eventual full-day use.

Climate Control (Workshop Kennel)

• Heating system (maintain 65-75F)
• Space heater (backup)
• Thermometer for monitoring

Crate & Containment

• Crate (appropriately sized, divider for growth)
• Exercise pen (for larger play area)
• Baby gate if needed

Doggy Door & Outdoor Run (Self-Service Potty)

• Doggy door sized for adult Piko (19-24 lbs); lockable for when it should stay closed
• Outdoor run fully fenced — no gaps, dig-out points, or climb-overs
• Run checked for escape routes and predator access (secure top if needed)
• Safe footing + shade/shelter in the run
• Plan to introduce only after reliable house-training and full immunity (~18 weeks)
• Doggy-door training treats on hand (teach the flap step by step)

Essentials

• Water bowl (non-tip, heavy base)
• Food bowl
• Potty pads (indoor backup)
• Designated outdoor potty spot near door

Monitoring

• Baby monitor or camera (WiFi enabled)
• Phone charger

Night Crate Setup (Momo’s Room)

• Crate sized for the puppy (divider for growth)
• Comfortable crate bedding + blanket with home/littermate scent
• WiFi camera angled on the crate (watch from Nick’s room)
• Night-potty kit by the door: slip-on shoes, flashlight, leash, treats, poop bags
• Phone alarms set (Nick weeknights, Momo weekends) for 12am + 4am breaks
• Enzyme cleaner + paper towels nearby for accidents

Enrichment

• Chew toys (variety of textures)
• Kong (multiple sizes)
• Snuffle mat
• Puppy-safe plush toy

Grooming Station (Workshop Shower)

• Non-slip mat for shower floor
• Handheld sprayer attachment
• Puppy shampoo (oatmeal-based, gentle)
• Conditioner (for doodle coat)
• Towels (microfiber, quick-dry)
• Slicker brush
• Metal comb (for dematting)
• Nail clippers or grinder
• Styptic powder (for nail accidents)
• Ear cleaner
• Cotton balls
• Treat jar (for positive association)
• Blow dryer (low heat, pet-safe)

Cleaning & Safety

• Enzyme cleaner (Nature’s Miracle)
• Paper towels / rags
• Trash can with lid
• All cables secured/hidden
• No chewable hazards at puppy level
• Toxic items removed

3. Night Crating Transition Schedule

The puppy sleeps in its crate in Momo’s room throughout — this is the bonding setup, not a phase to “graduate” out of. What changes over time is the potty-break frequency as the puppy can hold it longer. Overnight breaks are shared: Nick weeknights, Momo weekends.

Long-term: keep the crate routine identical so the den travels well. When Momo leaves for college (~2028), the crate moves to Nick’s room. When Nick travels, the puppy sleeps in the workshop kennel — a familiar safe spot for nights when no one’s home to do breaks.

Tips:

• Set phone alarms for potty breaks (whoever’s on duty that night)
• Keep the night-potty kit (slip-on shoes, flashlight, leash) by Momo’s door
• Carry puppy out (don’t let them walk and sniff)
• Minimal interaction - potty only, then back to crate
• Praise for going potty, then quiet return to sleep
• Keep the crate routine identical every night so Piko sees it as his safe den

4. Daily Schedule

Key principle: Same core schedule every day, regardless of who’s caring for the puppy. Consistency is critical for puppies. Puppy goes to the office with Nick on weekdays from pickup (Sep 15). ⚠️ Daytime coverage for the first ~2 weeks is still TBD — Momo is already in school by the time the puppy arrives.

Core Daily Schedule (September 15 - December 31)

Night Potty Schedule (First 2 Weeks: September 15 - September 29)

Shared duty: Nick weeknights, Momo weekends. Crate stays in Momo’s room.

Commute Blocks (Office Days)

Add these to the schedule when puppy goes to office:

Tips for Office Days:

• Potty every 1.5-2 hours for young puppies (under 4 months)
• Can extend to every 2-3 hours as puppy ages
• Frozen Kong = quiet time during meetings
• Enforce at least one nap mid-day (crate in quiet spot)
• Keep exercise pen away from high-traffic areas
• Bring backup potty pads for emergencies

Weekend Additions

Saturday:

Sunday:

Weekend Tasks Checklist

• Puppy socialization class (Saturday 8:00 AM)
• Full brushing session (Saturday 9:00 AM)
• One outing for socialization (Saturday 1:00 PM)
• Bath (Sunday 10:00 AM - workshop shower)
• Nail trim or grinder practice (every 2 weeks)
• Ear check and cleaning (every 2 weeks)
• Car ride practice
• New surface/sound exposure

5. Office Setup Checklist

Containment

• Exercise pen (tall enough - 36"+)
• Crate for naps (fits in/near pen)
• Tarp or mat under pen (floor protection)

Potty

• Potty pads (backup for accidents)
• Identify outdoor potty spot near entrance
• Poop bags
• Enzyme cleaner

Comfort

• Water bowl (non-tip)
• Towel or bed for pen
• Blanket with home scent

Enrichment

• Chew toys (2-3 rotation)
• Kong (stuffed, frozen for longer occupation)
• Snuffle mat
• Lick mat

Training

• High-value treats (small, soft)
• Treat pouch
• Clicker (optional)

Emergency

• Paper towels
• Extra potty pads
• Backup leash
• Vet contact info posted

6. Training Milestones Checklist

By 12 Weeks (Mid-October 2026)

• Name recognition (looks at you when called)
• Sit (using lure)
• Crate = positive association (goes in willingly)
• Potty on cue started (“go potty” command)
• Handling: ears touched calmly
• Handling: paws touched calmly
• Handling: mouth opened calmly
• Collar/harness wearing
• Leash attached (not walking yet)

By 16 Weeks (Mid-November 2026)

• Sit on verbal cue only
• Down (lure or verbal)
• Come when called (short distance, 5-10 ft)
• Loose leash walking intro
• Wait at doors
• Drop it / Leave it started
• Socialization goal: 100 different people
• Socialization goal: 50 different dogs
• Exposure: various surfaces (grass, gravel, metal, tile)
• Exposure: various sounds (traffic, vacuum, doorbell)
• Exposure: various environments (stores, parking lots, parks)

By 6 Months (Late January 2027)

• Sit, Down with 10-second stay
• Come from 20 feet away
• Loose leash walking (80% success)
• Crate calmly for 4+ hours
• Place command (go to bed/mat)
• Settle on cue
• Polite greetings (no jumping)
• Leave it with food on floor
• House-trained reliably (prerequisite for doggy door)
• Doggy-door training started — use the flap on cue (once house-trained + full immunity)

By 1 Year (July 2027)

• All commands proofed with distractions
• Off-leash recall in safe, enclosed areas
• Reliable house manners
• Uses the doggy door to self-serve potty breaks (supervised → unsupervised)
• Can be left alone 6-7 hours
• Walks nicely past other dogs
• Comfortable at cafes/restaurants
• Reliable car travel
• Grooming: tolerates full body handling

7. Family Training Plan — Training With Momo

We train Piko ourselves, as a family, with Momo as a co-handler — using group classes and private/in-home sessions to support our own daily work, not a board-and-train bootcamp.

Momo as Co-Handler

Momo (16) is a real co-trainer, not just a helper. An older, calm, confident kid can teach the harder behaviors — stationing, leave-it, heel, recall — not just sit/down. Kids who train the dog take more responsibility, more pride, and bond more closely with it.

• Positive reinforcement is the right method for a teen handler: no physical strength, no precise correction timing, no risk of escalating into conflict. Safe to hand Momo the leash and treat pouch.
• Momo’s training time = evenings + weekends (she’s in school all day). That’s exactly when group classes meet and when home sessions fit.
• Momo owns specific behaviors so Piko sees her as a leader, not just a playmate (e.g., she runs recall + leave-it + a trick of her choosing).

The Layered Approach

1. At-home daily practice from day one (week 8+) — name, sit, recall, crate, potty, handling. This is the bulk of training and it’s free. See the daily schedule (Section 4) and milestones (Section 6).
2. Group puppy class, whole family attends — for proofing under distraction and dog-dog socialization. Momo handles in class. Enroll once second vaccines are in (~12 weeks).
3. A few private / in-home sessions as needed — trainer coaches us and Momo on specific issues, then we maintain it.
4. Optional “day training” if puppy-to-office logistics get hard — trainer trains during the day, then teaches us the handoff. Keeps Piko home at night and keeps us skilled.

Class & Trainer Options (Seattle Area — Positive Reinforcement)

Adolescent Push (Spring 2027, ~9-12 months)

The teenage phase (6-18 months) is boundary-testing and regression. We lean in at home:

• Enroll in an advanced / proofing group class (Spring 2027) for distraction work
• Add private sessions for any specific issues that crop up
• Momo and Nick split daily reinforcement; everyone holds the line on the same cues
• Good spring weather = more outdoor proofing (recall, loose-leash in real environments)

Daily Reinforcement (Ongoing)

Consistency Rules (Everyone)

The one thing that makes family training work — or fail. Mixed signals confuse the puppy.

• Same cue words for every behavior (write them down; post on the fridge)
• Same rules (furniture, jumping, begging) — no exceptions from any person
• Short sessions (10-15 min) — puppies and busy teens both do better
• Positive reinforcement only — reward what you want, redirect what you don’t
• Momo, Nick, and anyone helping use the same hand signals

Decision Timeline

• At pickup (~Sep 2026): Start at-home training day one; agree the shared cue list as a family
• ~12 weeks (after 2nd vaccines): Enroll + start a puppy group class (whole family, Momo handling)
• Fall/Winter 2026: Finish foundation class; book private session(s) for any sticky issues
• Spring 2027 (~9-12 months): Advanced / adolescent proofing class for the teenage phase
• Ongoing: Daily reinforcement, weekly family review

8. Grooming Schedule

Mini goldendoodles require regular grooming to prevent matting. The workshop shower makes home grooming convenient - use it weekly!

Daily (7:30 PM) - 10 min

• ✨ Quick brush check for tangles
• Eye wipe (tear stains)
• Paw check after walks
• First month: Extra handling practice (paws, ears, mouth) at 7:00 PM

Mid-Week (Wednesday, 7:00 PM) - 15 min

• ✂️ Extra brush check (doodle coats mat easily)
• Check behind ears, armpits, collar area

Saturday (9:00 AM) - 20 min

• ✂️ Full brushing session
• Ear check (look for redness, smell)
• Teeth brushing (work up to daily)

Sunday (10:00 AM) - Bath Day

• 🛁 Full bath in workshop shower
• Blow dry completely (prevent hot spots)
• Deep brushing/dematting
• Face trim around eyes (as needed)

Every 2 Weeks (Sunday, 11:00 AM after bath)

• 💅 Nail trim or grind
• Ear cleaning (if needed)
• Sanitary trim (as needed)

Every 6-8 Weeks

• Professional grooming OR full home groom:
  • Full body clip (once adult coat comes in, ~6-8 months)
  • Sanitary clip
  • Paw pad trim
  • Face/ears shaping

Grooming Milestones

Pro Tips

• Always brush BEFORE bath (wet mats get tighter)
• Use conditioner - doodle coats tangle easily
• Dry completely to prevent skin issues
• Make grooming positive: treats, praise, short sessions
• If matted: work from ends toward skin, never pull

9. Vet & Health Care

First 48 Hours

Schedule vet appointment BEFORE pickup - puppy needs exam within 48 hours of coming home. This:

• Validates breeder health guarantee
• Establishes baseline health record
• Catches any issues early
• Gets you set up with your vet

Vaccination Schedule

Note: No dog parks, pet stores on floor, or unknown dogs until 2 weeks after final DHPP (~18 weeks). Carry puppy in public places before then.

Recommended Add-ons

• Microchip (if not done by breeder)
• Flea/tick prevention (monthly)
• Heartworm prevention (monthly)
• Pet insurance (enroll before any issues arise)

Regular Vet Visits

Warning Signs - Call Vet Immediately

• Not eating for 24+ hours
• Vomiting or diarrhea (more than once)
• Lethargy, not playing
• Difficulty breathing
• Swollen abdomen
• Limping or crying in pain
• Blood in stool or urine

10. Quick Reference

Emergency Contacts

Feeding Schedule

Transition to 2 meals/day around 6 months

Key Rules

1. Potty first - always outside immediately upon waking/uncrating
2. Enforce naps - puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep
3. Nothing in life is free - sit before meals, going outside, etc.
4. Redirect, don’t punish - replace bad behavior with good
5. Consistency is everything - same rules, same words, every time