For your puppy’s first year

Calm routines for a happier first year together.

Simple, practical guides for new puppy owners: an hour-by-hour daily routine, potty and crate training, feeding by age, and the gear that actually helps.

Start with the daily routine Browse all guides

Built on American Kennel Club guidance, with sources linked in every guide.

A sample puppy day

8–12 weeks

6:30 amWake up, straight outside to potty

7:00 amBreakfast, then a potty break

8:00 amNap in the crate

11:00 amLunch, potty, then another nap

10:00 pmLast potty break, then bedtime

See the full schedule

The guides

Everything you need for the first few months

View all guides

Puppy daily routine An hour-by-hour schedule for 8–12 week puppies, with potty breaks, four meals, naps and bedtime. Read the guide Feeding schedule by age How many meals a day at each age, how much to feed, and when to switch to adult food. Read the guide Potty training, step by step A simple six-step method: timing, rewards, handling accidents, and getting through the nights. Read the guide Crate training Choosing a crate, introducing it in five steps, and making the first nights easier. Read the guide

Gear guide

Running with your dog? Start with the belt.

We read through gear reviews and buyer reviews of the most popular hands-free running leashes. Most complaints aren’t about the leash, they’re about the belt. Here’s what to look for.

Read the leash guide

Short and practical

Each guide gets to the point, with schedules and checklists you can use the same day.

Sourced, not guessed

Guidance comes from the American Kennel Club and other trusted sources, linked so you can check.

Your vet comes first

Our guides are general information. Your vet knows your puppy best, so check with them on anything specific.