Caring for Your Puppy
From the first 48 hours home through their first birthday — everything you need to raise a healthy, happy Goldendoodle.
The First 48 Hours
Your puppy has just left the only family they've ever known. Keep things calm and predictable for the first two days — limit visitors, stick to one quiet room, and let them come to you.
Set up the crate as their safe space from day one. Take them outside every 1–2 hours to potty, and immediately after meals, naps, and play. Praise every success — never punish accidents.
Keep their feeding schedule and food brand identical to ours for the first two weeks to avoid stomach upset. We send a small bag of their current food home with every puppy.
Vet Visit Within 72 Hours
A wellness exam within the first 3 days is required by our health guarantee. Bring the records we send home and any questions for your new vet.
Feeding Schedule
Our puppies go home on a twice-daily feeding schedule — 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Feeding amounts vary depending on the size of your puppy, so follow the feeding guidelines provided by your food manufacturer.
6:00 AM
Morning meal
Same food, same time each morning to keep tummies happy.
6:00 PM
Evening meal
Follow the feeding guidelines on the food manufacturer's bag.
Vaccination Schedule
Puppy vaccines are given every three weeks. We give the first round at 6 weeks old, before your puppy comes home. After that, your puppy will need continued vaccinations on the schedule below.
Until the full vaccination series is finished (around 15 weeks), avoid dog parks, pet stores, and other public places where unvaccinated dogs may have been.
- 1
6 weeks (given by breeder)
1st round of puppy vaccines
- 2
9 weeks
DHPP
- 3
12 weeks
DHPP & Bordetella
- 4
15 weeks
DHPP, Bordetella & Rabies
- 5
Annually
Vaccines are given once a year after the puppy series is complete.
Exercise & Socialization
Daily Exercise
5 minutes of structured exercise per month of age, twice a day. A 4-month-old puppy gets two 20-minute sessions — not more.
Socialization Window
The critical period closes around 16 weeks. Safely expose your puppy to new people, surfaces, sounds, and gentle dogs you know are vaccinated.
Joint Protection
Until 12 months, avoid stairs, jumping from furniture, and long runs on hard surfaces. Growing joints are easily injured.
We're Here For Life
Every Little Fur Friends family gets lifetime breeder support. Have a question at 2am? Text us — we've been there.