How are you guys doing!
I will finally be bringing my new puppy home tomorrow, and I'm eager as hell!
He is 8 1/2 week old male, and I wanted to make sure I have a routine already planned out, to make my life and his easier.

I wanted to be very thorough and make a plan ahead and be ready for the journey with my new puppy, and so I made a schedule based of me and my families daily routine.

How is the overall schedule i have planned out, is there any adjustments you guys think I should make or mistakes I have made for the puppy?

Thanks for your help!

My only comment is that if you really expect the puppy to adhere to your schedule, you're in for an amazing awakening!! He'll nap when he's tired and he won't when he isn't.

Seriously, though, I see a couple of problems with your schedule. It's imperative that a dog (and that includes puppies) have water available to them for most of their waking day. Puppies are small and can dehydrate quickly - he must have water when he wants it, not when you think it's "time according to your schedule." The other thing I see, is that you've scheduled "potty breaks" - I think that initially you'll find them too far apart and until he's potty trained, well, when he's gotta go, he's gotta go ...

Don't try to be OCD with the little one, all you're going to do is gt really frustrated when he doesn't adhere to the schedule. In fact, I think you'll find that he has his own idea of what a schedule will be and you're going to find that you adhere to his ...

Good luck!!

I like the idea of coming up with a schedule, but will echo the above comment about trying to stick to it. Do your best but don't get frustrated if it doesn't quite work out that way.

Also, I believe puppies should be fed 3 times a day and only see two times on your schedule. Probably should put a feeding at 12:30pm.

aljones wrote:

My only comment is that if you really expect the puppy to adhere to your schedule, you're in for an amazing awakening!!  He'll nap when he's tired and he won't when he isn't.  

Seriously, though, I see a couple of problems with your schedule.  It's imperative that a dog (and that includes puppies) have water available to them for most of their waking day.  Puppies are small and can dehydrate quickly - he must have water when he wants it, not when you think it's "time according to your schedule."   The other thing I see, is that you've scheduled "potty breaks" - I think that initially you'll find them too far apart and until he's potty trained, well, when he's gotta go, he's gotta go ...

Don't try to be OCD with the little one, all you're going to do is gt really frustrated when he doesn't adhere to the schedule.  In fact, I think you'll find that he has his own idea of what a schedule will be and you're going to find that you adhere to his ...

Good luck!!

Good point, thanks! That's definitely true, its probably not going to go 100% like this schedule is laid out but being a first time owner, I wanted a guideline to follow.

dvflyer wrote:

I like the idea of coming up with a schedule, but will echo the above comment about trying to stick to it. Do your best but don't get frustrated if it doesn't quite work out that way.

Also, I believe puppies should be fed 3 times a day and only see two times on your schedule.  Probably should put a feeding at 12:30pm.

I'll keep that in mind, cheers!

As far as feeding goes, I already bought the Acana Heritage Puppy food since a lot of people recommended it and it contains high quality ingredients.
The Acana feeding states the dog should be fed twice a day, a total of 170Grams(1⅓ cup). Do you think I should split it up into 3 servings?
I feel like 57 grams would be very little per serving, and wont be filling?

Puppies have very small stomachs (and bladders as you'll find) so breaking it into three meals a day will satisfy the little one more often. Huskies are a very unique breed in that they "decide" how much they want and how often. If you feed twice a day and he always seem hungry (and beware some dogs are always hungry) then try splitting it into three meals. If you feed three and he's always leaving some at each meal then go to two meals a day (and some dogs - not puppies - only want one meal a day, it's something you have to learn.)

Your schedule, with the feeding adjustment, is a good start - just remember that everything (dogs and people) are all different and be ready and willing to adjust to changing needs.

Last note, while 1⅓ cup doesn't sound like a lot of food for a puppy to me you'll find that the brand guidelines often are more than a Husky wants/needs. An adult husky is a sveldt dog, more like a greyhound than a lab. While rolly-polly is the norm for a puppy, you want him to "trim down" as he grows up. If you feed him what the bag<?> recommends, you'll probably be overfeeding him.

dinf22 wrote:

dvflyer wrote:

I like the idea of coming up with a schedule, but will echo the above comment about trying to stick to it. Do your best but don't get frustrated if it doesn't quite work out that way.

Also, I believe puppies should be fed 3 times a day and only see two times on your schedule.  Probably should put a feeding at 12:30pm.

I'll keep that in mind, cheers!

As far as feeding goes, I already bought the Acana Heritage Puppy food since a lot of people recommended it and it contains high quality ingredients.
The Acana feeding states the dog should be fed twice a day, a total of 170Grams(1⅓ cup). Do you think I should split it up into 3 servings?
I feel like 57 grams would be very little per serving, and wont be filling?

I'd go off the bag's recommendation at first and then adjust as needed.

i think the biggest thing that i have not seen mentioned, but i have also not dealt with a puppy puppy. from your schedule will someone from the household be there all day, not the same person but a rotation of people? if yes i think the best thing would to make a daily chart for everyone to look at and mark off. this way everyone knows what is going on.
so if puppy ate at X time someone marks that, if he potty's at X time everyone knows when he last went potty was, from this chart you will be able to see a schedule forming and work off that and everyone knows what is going on. as a puppy he should eat, sleep and potty almost all the time for the first few weeks. get him used to his crate from the start, if you are all home all day make sure he still spends time in there, eats in there and sleeps, so as he ages and you do need to crate him (you will want to) he will be fine with it.
i think just like humans having their first kid with a plan a puppy with a plan will still be thrown out the window
good luck, we are here for ya

From my side I wouldnt have water on the schedule, it must be available at all times. Also remember, having a puppy in the house does not guarantee sleep at all for a few days at least! You dont mention where you are from, Im aware that in the US it is a custom to crate when you are away from home, where Im at its rarely necessary as we mostly have enclosed properties, even so, where will pup be when you are not home and will he be safe and secure? Huskies are escape artists and love to run, let your neighbours know to help watch out if he is outside on his own. It also gives you the opportunity to brag a bit!

How are you planning to socialise the pup? They are essentially pack animals and whilst you will be part of hiis pack, I found my two loves their friends and new faces to play with and will destroy things out of boredom if they are not stimulated.

Good luck with your pup, post a few pics!