8-Week Puppy Routine: Feeding, Training & Sleep Tips

8-Week Puppy Routine: Feeding, Training & Sleep Tips

8-Week Puppy Routine: Feeding, Training & Sleep Tips

Bringing an 8-week-old puppy home is exciting and challenging. Establishing a routine is key to their development and well-being. This guide has all the feeding, training and sleep tips to help your new best friend thrive.

Summary:

Welcoming an 8-week-old into your home is awesome and tough. Having a routine is crucial for their growth and well-being. This guide has all the feeding, training and sleep tips for your new pup.*

Feeding Schedule

At 8 weeks, puppies need regular, balanced meals to fuel their growth.

Frequency: Use commas

Feed your puppy 3-4 times a day.

*Portion Size: Follow the feeding guidelines on your puppy food packaging. Adjust as needed based on your puppy’s appetite and body condition.

*Consistency: Feed at the same times each day to establish a routine and help with housetraining.

Training Sessions

Early training good behaviour and bond with your puppy.

*Duration: Keep sessions short, 5-10 minutes, to match your puppy’s attention span.

*Basic Commands: Introduce simple commands like sit, stay and come using positive reinforcement.

*Socialisation: Expose your puppy to different environments, sounds and gentle handling to build confidence and reduce fearfulness.

Sleep Patterns

Puppies need plenty of rest.

*Total Sleep: Puppies can sleep up to 18-20 hours a day.

*Nap Times: Encourage naps after meals, playtime and training sessions.

*Nighttime Routine: Establish a calming pre-bedtime routine and provide a comfortable sleeping area to help your puppy sleep through the night.

Sample Daily Schedule

  1. 7:00 AM – Wake-Up & Potty Break: Start the day with a trip outside to reinforce housetraining.

  2. 7:15 AM – Breakfast: Feed the first meal of the day.

  3. 7:30 AM – Play & Training: Play and train.

  4. 8:00 AM – Nap Time: Let your puppy rest.5. 11:00 AM – Wake-Up & Potty Break: Take your puppy outside straight after waking.go-solutions.com

  5. 11:15 AM – Lunch: Feed the second meal.

  6. 11:30 AM – Socialisation: Introduce new experiences in a controlled way.The Spruce Pets

  7. 12:00 PM – Nap Time: Another rest period.

  8. 3:00 PM – Wake-Up & Potty Break: Reinforce the routine.

  9. 3:15 PM – Snack (Optional): A small healthy treat if needed.

  10. 3:30 PM – Training Session: Focus on basic commands.

  11. 4:00 PM – Playtime: Interactive play to burn off energy.

  12. 4:30 PM – Nap Time: Make sure your puppy gets enough rest.

  13. 6:30 PM – Wake-Up & Potty Break: Consistency is key.The Spruce Pets+7PetMD+7go-solutions.com+7

  14. 6:45 PM – Dinner: Feed the last meal.

  15. 7:00 PM – Family Time: Calm interactions with household members.

  16. 8:00 PM – Potty Break: Get ready for bed.

  17. 9:00 PM – Bedtime: Put your puppy to bed.Embrace Pet Insurance

Tips

  • Patience: It takes time to establish a routine.

Frequency: Use commas

  • Observation: Watch for signs of hunger, fatigue or the need to eliminate and adjust the schedule as needed.

  • Positive Reinforcement: Reward good behaviour to encourage repetition.

  • Consistency: Stick to the routine as much as possible to help your puppy learn expectations.

Conclusion

Having a structured routine for your 8-week-old puppy covering feeding, training and sleep is key to their growth and your happiness. Consistency and positive reinforcement during this critical period will set them up for a well adjusted adult dog.

More Reading:

New Puppy Care: 8-12 Weeks

Join the Conversation:

Just brought an 8-week-old puppy home? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below or connect with us on Instagram @mymutt.life.

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