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What to Expect After You Bring Your Puppy Home
Congratulations—you’ve brought your CapeWest puppy home! What you do in these first few weeks will shape your puppy’s behavior, mindset, and confidence.
This page will guide you through early routines, crate training, socialization, and what a typical day looks like during these early months so your puppy can thrive at home.
Essentials for a Great Start
Essentials for a Great Start
Heath recommends a few key items to help make this transition smoother:
Place board – more durable and easier to clean than a dog bed
Crate – both indoor and outdoor if possible
Chew toys or ice cubes – for redirection and reward
Food bowls and leash – avoid retractables; stick with a solid 5' leash
We don’t recommend dog beds for young puppies—they’re often chewed or soiled. Place boards are a great alternative and support training early.
Crate Training Basics
Crate Training Basics
Crates provide a sense of security for your puppy and help prevent accidents, chewing, and unsafe roaming.
First Few Nights (1-3)
Keep the crate next to your bed so the puppy can hear and smell you
Use a blanket over the crate to help them settle
Take them out for potty breaks during the night if needed
After Night 3
Gradually move the crate away from your bed
Place the crate in high-traffic areas during the day to normalize crate time
If your puppy cries but has had potty/play time, let them cry it out (consistency wins)
Command Tip: Say "Kennel" each time you place your puppy in the crate to build word association.
A Sample Daily Routine (8-12 Weeks Old)
A Sample Daily Routine (8-12 Weeks Old)
Morning (6-8am)
Carry puppy straight outside to potty
Short play session (10-20 minutes)
Crate time
Midday (12-1pm)
Potty break
Short walk/play
Return to crate after 30-45 minutes
Afternoon (4-5pm)
Potty + extended play
Back in crate for rest
Potty again before dinner
Evening
Last potty trip before bedtime
Limit food and water intake after 6pm
Feeding Schedule:
8-12 weeks: 3 meals/day
By 6 months: 2 meals/day
By 8-9 months: transition to 1 meal/day, if desired
Boundaries, Structure & Play
Boundaries, Structure & Play
Boundaries make life easier—for your puppy and your household.
Supervise or crate your puppy at all times
Let play be fun and regular—don’t expect perfect obedience yet
Trade items (like shoes or socks) for chew toys or ice cubes
Use the puppy’s name in a happy tone to encourage recall
Puppies explore the world with their mouths. Don't punish curiosity—redirect it.
Early Commands & Corrections
Early Commands & Corrections
"No" = Redirection. "No" is for small things. "NO!" is for danger.
"Leave it" = Stop interacting with an object (plants, bugs, shoes)
Use "Kennel" and "Place" consistently
Be consistent, not emotional. Your calm leadership helps your puppy feel secure.
What Comes Next?
What Comes Next?
At 4–5 months, most puppies are sleeping through the night.
At 6 months, they’re ready for more formal obedience training.
Until then, focus on building trust, reinforcing routines, and letting your puppy be a puppy.
Would you rather CapeWest train your puppy?
Would you rather CapeWest train your puppy?
Our board-and-train programs help your puppy grow into a calm, reliable companion.
Our board-and-train programs help your puppy grow into a calm, reliable companion.
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