Important Information

How much should I feed my puppy?

Puppies will not overeat if given a quality dry food. Your puppy should be allowed to eat as much as he or she wants at each meal offering of 10-15 minutes. After this time, you should remove the bowl. You'll find your puppy's appetite will increase as he/she goes through a growth spurt. His/her appetite will decrease when less energy is required for growing. Don't take this as a sign your puppy no longer likes his/her food. Offering a new food will entice your puppy to eat even when they're not hungry.

Do I need to soften the dry food before giving it to my puppy?

Our puppies have a full set of teeth when they go to their new homes.  As long as this is the case, then your puppy can/should eat the food dry. If they need incentive to eat because of nerves or if they seem a bit thin you can mix wet canned food in with the dry. If your puppy isn't drinking enough you may add water to moisten dry kibble, feed watermelon or freeze water from boiling liver for an icy cold treat!

Will my puppy have a normal appetite when I first take him/her home?

Most puppies don't eat well for the first few days during a transition. It's not uncommon for them not to eat at all the first day in their new home because of all the changes they have gone through getting ready to leave and being in a new environment. You can mix canned food with the dry, or pour water from boiling liver for training treats on top of the kibble to entice them to eat. 

My puppy doesn't seem to like his/her food anymore, should I change brands?

A dog's diet is boring and this is healthy. Dogs digestive systems don't do well with abrupt changes in their diet. When they're offered something different, they will eat it with gusto. However, if you continue feeding that new food consistently, they will eventually lose the enthusiasm shown when the food was new. Dogs don't need a variety like humans do as long as they are fed a nutritionally balanced high quality food.  By allowing their diet to become mundane, they will eat just what they need to replenish calories they burn.  Finding something new to entice them to eat more may please you, but in all reality, you're probably getting them to eat more than they should.  This is one way dogs can develop a weight problem. 

Can I give my puppy treats?

It's recommended that you give a treat only as a reward for following a command.  Think of giving a treat to a dog like giving a piece of candy to a toddler.  It isn't harmful, but should be done only in moderation. Healthy treats dogs usually enjoy are carrots, cooked or raw, berries, peanut butter, eggs, green beans, sweet potatoes, lean meat, apples, and rice, add a little coconut oil and turmeric once in a while for a shiny coat and possibly better health. We like prepackaged treats for learning, excitement and enjoyment. Our puppies like beef lung, lamb, cow, lamb and pig's ears or snouts, goat horns, hooves, chicken and rawhide rolls etc. Doodles aren't the type of dog you have to worry about their stomachs swelling from swallowing large pieces of rawhide. They usually chew pretty slowly and calmly and this is good for their teeth. Chewing is also a nice activity for night time crate training to help with whimpering, whining or barking. High value treats are used for training things quickly and well. These are reserved only for pottytraining in the beginning. We use cooked liver for this. Usually beef liver, and the tiniest pieces yield amazing results.

Caution, Foods to avoid:

Grapes, raisins, currants, onion, garlic, chocolate, avocado, alcohol, hops, meat scraps (cooked bones), peaches, cherries, plums etc. (pits in particular), caffeine, xylitol, Yeast dough, Rhubarb and tomato leaves, corn on the cob, Persimmons, mushrooms, moldy or spoiled food,  Milk and other dairy products, bacon and other fatty meat or meat fat, raw fish, salt, macadamia nuts, and Human vitamin supplements containing iron. These can be poisonous or unsafe for dog consumption. Some of the foods on this list may be ok in moderation but just be aware and careful with what, or how much, they are being fed or what they may be getting into!

✄  Care and Grooming

Should I Brush My Puppy's Teeth?

Yes! Start brushing your puppy's teeth early to establish good habits. Use a soft toothbrush and dog-safe toothpaste. Daily brushing is ideal for lifelong dental health.

Should I Clean My Puppy's Ears?

Check your puppy's ears regularly for redness, odor, or excessive wax. Clean only when needed with a veterinarian-approved ear cleaner. Never insert cotton swabs into the ear canal. Contact your veterinarian if you notice signs of infection.

How Often Should I Bathe My Puppy?

Bathe your puppy approximately every 3–4 weeks or as needed using a gentle, puppy-safe shampoo. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely, especially around the ears.

When Should My Puppy Have Their First Haircut?

Introduce your puppy to professional grooming early, once your veterinarian confirms it's safe based on vaccination status. Their first full haircut is typically around 3–4 months of age.

Most Aussiedoodles benefit from professional grooming every 6–8 weeks, depending on their coat.

How Often Should I Brush My Puppy?

Brush your puppy daily using a slicker brush followed by a metal comb to prevent tangles and matting. Pay special attention to the ears, armpits, legs, and areas beneath the collar.

Regular grooming keeps your puppy comfortable and helps maintain that beautiful, fluffy Aussiedoodle coat!

Our Favorite Grooming Products

How often should I clip my puppy's nails?

Typically they need to be clipped a couple times a month. You'll want to massage/play with your puppies toes on a daily basis to desensitize them to make clipping nails easier.  A groomer will typically clip nails as part of the grooming service. Getting them used to having their toes touched and paws held will make them more comfortable with having their nails clipped and your doodle will be less scared of the groomer.

 Bringing Your Puppy Home 🐾

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting! A little preparation will help your newest family member settle in comfortably and confidently.

Puppy Essentials

Before your puppy arrives, we recommend having:

- Food and water bowls: Stainless steel or ceramic.

- Crate: A 24–28-inch crate with an adjustable divider is a good starting point for many of our puppies.

- Exercise pen or baby gates: To create a safe, supervised space.

- Collar, harness, and leash: Choose lightweight, properly fitted equipment.

- Grooming supplies: Slicker brush, metal comb, puppy shampoo, and nail clippers.

- Cleaning supplies: Enzymatic cleaner, paper towels, and waste bags.

- Toys and treats: Puppy-safe chew toys, soft toys, enrichment puzzles, and small training treats.

Your puppy will go home with a starter bag of TLC food, a collar and leash, a blanket carrying familiar scents, and a comfort toy.

Preparing Your Home

Puppy-proof your home by securing electrical cords, medications, cleaning supplies, toxic plants, and small objects that could be swallowed.

Establish a consistent routine for feeding, potty breaks, playtime, and sleep.

Schedule your puppy's first veterinary appointment within a few days of arriving home.

Training and Socialization

Begin teaching simple commands such as sit, come, and leave it using positive reinforcement.

Puppy classes are a wonderful way to develop confidence and good manners. Choose a reputable program with appropriate vaccination and sanitation requirements.

We recommend Baxter & Bella's online puppy training program for additional guidance.

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Vaccinations and Socialization

Your puppy will need additional vaccinations after going home. Follow your veterinarian's recommended schedule, typically continuing core puppy vaccinations until at least 16 weeks of age.

Until adequately protected, avoid dog parks and other high-risk areas frequented by unfamiliar dogs.

Continue safe socialization through positive experiences with people, everyday sounds, new environments, and healthy, appropriately vaccinated dogs.

Introducing Your Puppy to Other Pets

Introduce your puppy to resident pets slowly and under supervision.

For cats, provide safe spaces and elevated areas where they can retreat. Never force interactions. Reward calm behavior and allow relationships to develop naturally.

Traveling With Your Puppy

We introduce our puppies to car rides before they go home to help them become comfortable with traveling.

Always secure your puppy in an appropriately sized, fastened travel carrier or suitable crash-tested restraint. Begin with short, positive trips and gradually increase their length.

Never leave your puppy unattended in a vehicle.

We're Here to Help!

Adjusting to a new home takes time, patience, and consistency. Remember that your puppy is still learning!

At Cuddly Doods, our commitment doesn't end at pickup. We're always happy to offer guidance and support throughout your dog's life. 

Bringing Your Puppy Home: What to Expect

Schedule Your First Veterinary Visit

We recommend scheduling your puppy's first veterinary appointment within 2–3 days of bringing them home. Your veterinarian can review their health records, discuss upcoming vaccinations, and recommend an appropriate preventive care schedule.

Whenever possible, schedule this appointment before puppy pickup.

Helping Your Puppy Adjust

Your puppy has spent their entire life surrounded by their mother, littermates, and familiar routines. Moving into a new home is a big adjustment!

During the first few days, provide plenty of affection, patience, and reassurance while establishing consistent routines for feeding, potty breaks, playtime, and sleep.

Begin teaching good manners right away using gentle, positive reinforcement. Puppies learn best through consistency, encouragement, and rewards.

Crate Training and Sleeping Through the Night

Your puppy may need a little time to adjust to sleeping in a new environment. We begin crate acclimation before our puppies go home, but a new home brings unfamiliar sounds, smells, and routines.

Place the crate near your bed during the first few nights so your puppy feels secure. A familiar blanket or puppy-safe comfort toy can help them settle.

Some puppies find a partially covered crate comforting. If you use a cover, maintain adequate ventilation and make sure your puppy cannot pull the fabric inside. 

Encourage positive associations by offering treats, toys, or meals inside the crate. Allow your puppy to explore it voluntarily and gradually increase the time spent inside.

Helping Your Puppy Sleep Through the Night

We find that keeping your puppy's crate close to you during the first few nights can make the transition much easier. Personally, I like to place the crate on my bed, securely positioned against the wall, so the puppy feels comforted by my presence.

If you choose to do this, make sure the crate is stable and cannot tip, slide, or fall. Placing the crate beside your bed is another wonderful option.

Your puppy may need overnight potty breaks, especially at eight weeks old. Listen for restlessness or whining, and take your puppy outside as needed.

With patience, reassurance, and a consistent bedtime routine, most puppies gradually become more comfortable sleeping in their new homes.

Never use the crate as punishment.

If your puppy becomes frantic, cries persistently, or scratches desperately, check whether they need a potty break, water, comfort, or a change in their routine. Avoid leaving a distressed puppy to cry indefinitely.

During the day, balance short crate sessions with plenty of supervised play, exercise, training, and affection. Young puppies need frequent breaks and should not spend extended periods confined.

With patience and consistency, your puppy can learn to view their crate as a comfortable, safe place to rest.

Tips and Training

Start Your Puppy Off on the Right Paw!

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, whether you're welcoming your very first dog or adding another furry member to your family!

At Cuddly Doods, we believe that raising a happy, confident, well-mannered companion begins with consistent training, positive reinforcement, and early socialization.

Your puppy's education starts here with us, but continuing that foundation at home is essential. We encourage every family to establish a training plan before their puppy arrives.

Our Recommended Puppy Training Program

We recommend Baxter & Bella's Online Puppy School, which provides step-by-step guidance on potty training, crate training, basic obedience, manners, and much more.

With a one-time membership fee and lifetime access, you'll have training resources available throughout your dog's life.

Visit Www.baxterandbella.com/learn-more and use coupon code CUDDLYDOODES25 for 25%. That means for a one time fee that's probably less than the first training classes you can feel confident that you are giving your pup and your family the relationship you desire for a lifetime of fun, excitement and Happiness

Get started before pickup so you and your puppy are ready for a wonderful beginning together!

Is It Normal for My Puppy to Be So Nippy?

Absolutely! Nipping, mouthing, and even playful growling are normal puppy behaviors. Puppies explore the world with their mouths and naturally use them during play, especially while teething.

At Cuddly Doods, we begin teaching bite inhibition, sometimes called a "soft mouth," to help our puppies learn how to interact gently with people and other animals.

When your puppy becomes too mouthy, calmly redirect their attention to an appropriate chew toy. Reward gentle behavior, and if the biting continues, briefly pause playtime.

Puppies also need plenty of mental stimulation, age-appropriate exercise, and rest. Short training sessions, interactive toys, and supervised play with healthy, puppy-friendly dogs can help them burn energy and practice appropriate social skills.

Remember, overtired puppies can become especially nippy! Sometimes a quiet break or nap is exactly what they need.

With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, your puppy will gradually learn that human hands are for gentle interactions, not chewing!

How Can I Get My Puppy to Stop Jumping on People?

Jumping is a normal puppy behavior, but it's important to teach good manners early!

Encourage your puppy to sit when greeting people and reward them with treats, praise, and attention when all four paws remain on the floor.

If your puppy jumps, calmly withhold attention until they settle. Avoid pushing or scolding, as this can accidentally encourage more jumping.

Practice with family members and visitors, using a leash when needed to help manage greetings safely.

Consistency is key! Make sure everyone follows the same rules. With patience and positive reinforcement, your puppy will learn that polite greetings earn the most attention.

When is my puppy fully vaccinated?

Your puppy will get a series of vaccinations that will be completed by about 4 months of age. Until then, you will want to avoid taking your puppy to places of high traffic of unknown dogs such as a dog park, PetSmart, or the floor at your vet. Your puppy can take walks around the block and can play/interact with other puppies or young dogs that you know and that you know are healthy. Some people want to have their personal vet do any medical procedures including vaccinations and/or micro chipping and we're fine with this as long as you let us know before we take our puppies to the vet. It may be too late after this.

At what age can my puppy attend puppy kindergarten?

Most places that offer classes do not allow the puppies to start until at least 12 weeks of age to ensure they have a few vaccinations completed.  If you are so inclined, you can hire a private trainer to come to your house.  The 8 -12 week stage is very impressionable and a puppy is ready to start learning basic commands at 8 weeks of age or even sooner. Our puppies are super smart and usually go home knowing recall and sit. Some can even play fetch at 7 or 8 weeks!

How do I go about introducing my puppy to my existing cat?

The cat will make the rules on this one!  A cat that has not been raised around dogs will probably retreat to higher ground once the puppy moves in.  Do not force the issue. 

How should my puppy  travel in a car?

It is recommended that your puppy learn to wear a harness made for dogs that can be secured to a seat belt.  However, for your puppy's ride home it is important that the stress be as minimal as possible to ensure your puppy's memory of riding in a car is a good one.  Riding on an adult's lap will be much less stressful than riding in a crate or harnessed to the seatbelt.  If you are traveling alone, your puppy may have to be confined to a crate. We work on the skill of riding in the car with our puppies and usually by 11 or 12 weeks they really start to enjoy and look forward to it. You may be able to let the puppy sit on the seat next to you if you get a puppy a bit older. The labradoodles are a bit more inclined to like the car right away but most goldendoodles also like it. 

How do I get my puppy used to riding in a car?

Your puppy should go for a brief car ride daily for the first few weeks at least.  Dogs that drool or throw up when riding in a car are typically those that are stressed/anxious about riding in a car. Start with 5-10 minute rides for the first week and extend it to 10-15 minute trips the second week. If we have a lot of driving to do we will take a few puppies each time for an hour or more as long as they seem like they're  handling the shorter drives just fine. As long as your puppy is not stressed and does not drool or throw up, your puppy is ready to go anywhere with you.  Never leave your dog in the car unattended. We do take our puppies for a series of rides to get them used to the car for you, but if you don't keep them used to it they may need to start over! I would encourage bringing the puppy to a place that serves meat patties or other high value special treats to encourage them to really love the car and hope that if they are lucky enough to be invited to go with you they may get a special treat along with a great adventure.