Puppy Schedule 101: How to Create the Perfect Routine for Your New Puppy

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Your puppy's schedule and routine

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Well, is Traditional Doggie Daycare a good choice for every dog? Great question, and one of the toughest decisions that a puppy parent can make is with who and where their puppy will hang while they are at work, out on a trip, or just tackling everyday tasks. Often time doggie daycare are glorified for providing all day play, socialization, and activity for an affordable rate. Doggie daycare is a great option for some dogs, there is a lot of undisclosed information about daycare, not openly discussed with puppy parents. 

While exercise is an extremely important part of a dog’s health and overall well being, there are daycare environments that can provide a dog with too much over-stimulation and excitement. Doggie daycare often run long hours to accommodate those who work which means your dog my be out in a play environment for up to 12 hours a day without any sort of break. This may not be a concern if your dog isn’t as active, but then you have a whole new concern on whether or not your dog has had any kind of exercise. It is not uncommon for an older pup to curl up in a corner and just sleep while you are away. The large play groups mean less one-on-one time for your pup and an overall uncertainty if it is the right environment for your dog. 

Can Doggie Daycare Help Socialize your Dog

Another common misconception is that doggie daycare are effective to socialize your dog. Often times daycare facilitate a large group of dogs and are unable to go at your pets pace or create a specialized plan for your pet that will ensure their success and happiness in the environment. Puppies often get thrown in a pay group and are left to “figure it out” in a sense instead of working closely with a trainer who can construct positive social experiences at your pups pace. When dogs are under socialized and subjected to loud, high intensity playgroups it can actually cause more harm by being a cause of stress which in turn creates a negative association with dog and/or group play. 

When searching for care for your pup, take these things into consideration and think about your dog and their needs. Daycare can be a great choice for social, highly active, young dogs who are needing more physical stimulation than an owner can provide. For dogs who are needing help with socialization, training, or may be nervous in unknown environments, perhaps a different type of care may be necessary. Try to find a place that works for your dog and their needs. Of course our dogs are very special so the care they receive must be just as special as they are.

Laura Aikins is a Certified Dog Trainer with Canine Learning Academy and works with our All Day School and Education Daycare Dogs. Before working as a trainer with Canine Learning Academy, she was a manager for a franchise Doggy Daycare in Long Beach.

Learn more about Canine Learning Academy’s  Education Daycare (Video below)

Education (Enrichment Daycare)

At Canine Learning Academy, because what we know about some traditional doggy daycare, we offer a different type of daycare for your dog. Our goal is to create a fun and safe environment where pets love to come and learn and where owners can confidently place their trust in our standards of care. Canine Learning Academy Education Daycare is not an energy outlet for dogs, but a place the dogs learn, become more confident, and experience mental exercise with some real life skills that we feel are important to reduce stress and add balance to their everyday lives. Our education and training has taught us that dogs may actually prefer to be pretty picky about what dogs they want to interact with. We know each dogs Playstyle is not suitable for all dogs. We will encourage walking on different surfaces, exposure to something new (sound, smell or texture), patience while waiting at entry ways and doors, appropriate play styles between dogs, and we reinforce your dogs known behaviors. Canine Learning Academy’s Education Daycare is for our training graduates, suitable for dogs that want ongoing care and continuing education.

For more information about our Daycare for our graduates, check out the Daycare Page.

Want more Information about Our Daycare, Schedule a FREE PHONE Consultation

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Your Puppy Needs a Schedule (and How to Create One That Works)

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting—and a little overwhelming. Between potty training, teaching manners, and helping your puppy feel safe in their new world, it can feel like there’s never enough time in the day. That’s where a puppy schedule and routine comes in.

Just like babies, puppies thrive on structure. A predictable daily routine builds confidence, helps with house training, prevents unwanted behaviors, and lays the foundation for lifelong good habits.

At Canine Learning Academy, we’ve guided hundreds of new puppy parents through this process. Let’s break down the why and how of building the perfect puppy schedule.

This guide will walk you through why a schedule matters, give you activity categories to rotate through, and outline a sample daily routine you can use as a starting point.


Why Your Puppy Needs a Schedule

  • Predictability reduces stress. Knowing what comes next helps puppies feel safe.

  • Potty training happens faster. Consistent timing teaches your puppy when and where to go.

  • Balanced rest and play prevent meltdowns. Puppies need 18–20 hours of sleep daily.

  • Daily training builds lifelong manners. Every meal, potty break, and play session is a learning opportunity.

Activity Categories to Rotate

Here are the main building blocks of a healthy puppy routine:

  • Exercise / Play / Socialization: Tug, fetch, human play, short walks, or positive exposure experiences.
  • Training / Meal Time: Feed by hand, use an interactive feeder, or turn meals into mini training sessions.
  • Potty Time: Always use the same door, head to the same potty spot, say “Go potty!” and reward.
  • Alone Time: Practice crate or x-pen time with something special like a chew or stuffed Kong.
Puppy Schedule and Routine

Daily Routine Ideas

Physical Enrichment

  • Fetch
  • Play date with other dogs
  • Flirt Pole
  • Urban Agility
  • Hide & seek
  • Swimming
  • Sniffari
  • Digging
  • Tug
  • Frisbee
  • Soccer

Mental Enrichment

  • Tearing up a box
  • Ball pit
  • Food puzzles
  • ace free work
  • Scavenger hunt
  • Treat Tournament
  • Muffin Tin
  • Something frozen
  • Trash bag game
  • Paper towel rolls
  • DIY

Training

  • Loose Leash Walk position
  • Harness and leash on/off
  • Collar and harness grab
  • Recall Training
  • Go to …
  • Get
  • FInd it
  • Which one
  • Target Training
  • Trick Training
  • Polite Greetings
  • Teaching sit
  • Teaching down
  • Settle on a mat
  • Go to your bed
  • Stay/ wait
  • Front door manners
  • Back door manners
  • Paws up
  • Paws off
  • Paw target to hand
  • Paw target to object
  • Shake and paw
  • Pull it
  • Take it
  • Drop
  • Leave it
  • So say Hi

Socialization & Exposure

  • New Environments
  • Public places
  • Sound
  • Water
  • Grooming and handling
  • Cooperative care
  • Parks
  • Outside a dog park
  • Car Rides
  • Cafe
  • School (outside when kids are going to school)
  • Grocery store parking lot
  • Hardware store

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Learn more about Socialization for your Puppy

Want to dive deeper into puppy socialization? Socialization is one of the most critical parts of raising a confident, well-adjusted dog. It’s not just about meeting other dogs — it’s about safely introducing your puppy to new people, sounds, surfaces, and experiences during their early weeks of development. The more positive experiences your pup has now, the less likely they are to develop fear or reactivity later in life. We’ve put together a full guide that covers everything you need to know, from the when and how of socialization to fun, practical exercises you can start today.

👉 Read our complete guide to puppy socialization here

Sample Puppy Daily Schedule

Morning

5:00 am – Potty & Back to Crate
Quick potty break, then return to the crate for a little more rest.

6:30 am – Potty & Loose Leash Walking

  • Take your puppy to their potty station right away.

  • Use a consistent cue (“Go potty”) and praise generously when they go.

  • Afterward, clip on a leash and practice calm, loose leash walking.

6:45 am – Training & Breakfast

  • Use breakfast as training rewards. Keep sessions short—1–2 minutes per skill.

  • Work on simple games like “Ping Pong Recall,” “Get It,” or leash manners.

  • After training, place your puppy in the x-pen with water and potty access.

8:00 am – Potty & Crate Time

  • Potty again, then crate your puppy with a cover and calming background music.


Mid-Morning

10:00 am – Potty & Play

  • Potty first, then enjoy short play: tug, toy trade, or fetch.

  • Practice trading toys for treats to reinforce “drop.”

  • Limit sessions to 5–10 minutes. Return to the x-pen afterward.

11:00 am – Potty & Crate

  • Another potty break, then back in the crate for rest.


Daytime

1:00 pm – Potty & Loose Leash Walking
Keep reinforcing potty habits and calm leash skills.

1:15 pm – Training & Mini Field Trip

  • Work on recalls, leash walking, or basic manners with food rewards.

  • If not fully vaccinated, carry your puppy for safe exposure outings (car rides, being carried through a store, or sitting at an outdoor café).

2:30 pm – Potty & Crate
Continue reinforcing potty and crate training.


Afternoon & Evening

4:30 pm – Potty & Loose Leash Walking

4:45 pm – Play & Dinner Training

  • Use dinner to bond, train, or create positive associations.

  • Introduce new toys or enrichment activities to build curiosity.

5:00 – 7:30 pm – Awake Time

  • Keep your puppy active so they’re tired at bedtime.

  • Activities can include play, short field trips, family time, or relaxing together.

  • Watch closely for potty cues.

7:30 pm – Potty & Bedtime Routine

  • Offer a chew and calming interaction (like gentle massage).

  • Crate your puppy with their chew for bedtime.

10:00 pm – Final Potty & Crate

  • Take them out for one last potty break.

  • Praise and settle them into their crate for the night.


Final Tips

  • Stay consistent. The more predictable the schedule, the quicker your puppy learns

  • Set a timer. With so much going on, it’s best to set a timer to make sure you don’t miss taking you puppy out before they have an accident.

  • Keep it short. Training and play should be in quick, fun bursts.

  • Reward often. Every potty trip and calm behavior is a chance to reinforce good habits.

  • Be flexible. Use this schedule as a guide—adjust as needed for your puppy’s unique needs.


Give Your Puppy the Best Start

A clear schedule helps your puppy grow into a confident, well-mannered companion. If you’d like expert support, our Puppy School programs are designed around structured daily routines—covering potty training, socialization, confidence building, and obedience skills.

📞 Call or text 949-849-3885 to learn more or book an assessment today.

Are you ready to embark on the journey of raising a happy and well-adjusted puppy? Join our community of passionate puppy parents and let us guide you every step of the way.
Our expert team is here to provide personalized support and resources tailored to your puppy’s needs. Reach out now and discover how we can help you create a loving and structured environment for your furry friend

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Canine Learning Academy team
Hi, I’m Yo,

I’m the founder of Canine Learning Academy, Huntington Beach’s premier destination for Puppy Training, and I’m so pleased you’re here!

We are training the next generation of puppies with our innovative science-based, force-free, fun & effective approach from our state-of-the-art facility.

The right input now determines the successful adult dog of tomorrow so come and experience the difference of elite puppy training!

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