Dogs of all ages thrive on the structure that a routine provides, so establishing one early in their life can be a great way to set them up for success as they grow and develop habits. A routine can be effective for puppies because of consistency. When they can better predict the events in their day, such as when it’s time to go potty, eat, or sleep, it can help them adjust to new environments and become much more accustomed to what’s happening in their day-to-day, ultimately reducing their anxiety of the unknown.
Your puppy may take some time to get used to their routine, so be patient. Start small, such as making it a routine to eat meals in one specific spot in your home, so it creates a habit. You can then move on to eventually taking them out to potty after dinnertime. Over time, you can build up their daily routine, and the sooner you start, the sooner they can adjust.
What you add to your puppy’s routine is entirely up to you and your own schedule! You may want to allocate some time for cuddles and playing with toys, for example, before starting your workday. You can also try out different training methods throughout the day.
Keep in mind that life happens, and sometimes routines change. That’s why it’s always a good idea not to base your puppy’s routine on specific times but rather a general time of day. Instead of taking your pup out on a walk at exactly 6:15 p.m., you can make it a routine that whenever you come home from work and grab their collar/leash, it tells them it’s time to go on an evening walk. That way, if you’re not home until a bit later, they are not building up an expectation for a specific time of day.
