Your New Puppy Schedule
Bringing a new puppy into your home is exciting, joyful… and a little overwhelming. While you’re soaking in the cuddles, you’re probably worrying about the puppy schedule and how it might conflict with your day job…
Let’s talk about the typical puppy schedule and what they need for a good start in life. With the right routine, support system, and reliable help, you can raise a well-adjusted, happy pup without worrying about them all day while you’re at work.
What your 8-week-old puppy really needs:
Before we get to the official puppy schedule, don’t forget that at 8 weeks old, most puppies are just leaving their litter and adjusting to their new home. This period is full of growth, learning, and a ton of potty breaks.
Bladder Capacity: Puppies can typically "hold it" one hour for every month of age. So, an 8-week-old pup may need a potty break every 2 hours, sometimes more.
Feeding: Most pups eat 3-4 small meals a day at this stage.
Sleep: Puppies sleep 18–20 hours a day, usually in short bursts.
Socialization: The early weeks are critical for gentle exposure to sights, sounds, people, and safe environments.
Training: Basic training and housebreaking start right now—consistency is key.
8-Week-Old Puppy Schedule
Here’s what a typical day looks like for puppies:
The morning puppy schedule (6:00-8:00am)
Wake-up potty trip
Breakfast
Another potty break 15–20 minutes after eating
Quick play/training session
One more potty trip before leaving for work
Every two hours… (8:00-5:00pm)
This is where most working puppy parents hit a wall. Your pup will still need at least 3-4 breaks during the day -- not just for potty training, but for attention, stimulation, and food (if they’re on a 3-meal schedule).
If you work away from home, you will need to hire a puppy sitter to cover you while you’re away from your puppy, or you will be frustrated, and your puppy will not be set up for success as it grows.
At Walks Wiggles and Wags in northern NJ, we offer puppy visits every 2 to 2.5 hours, lasting 15-30 minutes depending on your puppy’s needs. We handle everything from potty breaks, playtime, cleanups, and early training basics like “sit” or leash manners. We also send real-time updates and photos so you know how your pup’s day is going -- even if you’re stuck in back-to-back meetings.
If you work from home and do have flexibility, here are a few things to know about your puppy’s routine:
If the crate is the right size, they won’t go inside because they have the instinct to keep their “den” clean. If they do potty in the crate, that might mean the crate is too big for them at this age, they’re stressed (😢), or they just need to go outside sooner.
If you leave your new puppy in the laundry room, bathroom, or kitchen, that space is definitely too large for them to be trained properly. For successful potty training, they will need a crate for their “den.”
Puppies need mental stimulation: You’re not just taking care of potty training every two hours: this is the time to let them play, train, and get their zoomies out! Spend 15 minutes enjoying your puppy during these breaks!
Your evening puppy schedule (5:00pm-overnight)
When it’s time for dinner, take your puppy out of the crate, bring them outside for a potty break, feed them dinner, then take them outside again as usual.
Your puppy will probably get the “zoomies” in the evening, especially as they get older, which means they run in circles around your living room or get very playful.
You will still take your puppy out every two to three hours overnight, adding an hour for every month (four months means they can hold it for four hours, etc.). They have tiny bladders, and they simply can’t hold it longer.
Yes, you will set your alarms to go off every 2-3 hours overnight to keep up the puppy schedule. Just like a human child, sorry!
Creating a Puppy Routine (and sticking to it!)
By building a predictable routine early, your puppy starts to feel secure, safe, and settled. A regular rhythm of food, play, rest, and potty breaks sets the stage for successful house training and behavior. But that’s hard to do if you’re gone most of the day. The puppy schedule must be consistent, especially for potty training, or you’ll be frustrated with your new puppy.
Hiring a puppy sitter can bridge the gap when you can’t get home to care for your puppy.
Whether you need just two visits or a full-day schedule, you should receive customized care based on your puppy’s age, energy level, and progress. At Walks Wiggles and Wags, we’re CPR and pet first aid certified, trained in working with puppies, and understand the importance of consistency in your dog’s routine.
Here are a few routines to build into your puppy’s day:
Carry puppy from their crate to the door
You do not want your puppy to pee indoors on the way outside. Pick them up and bring them directly outside. Accidents are inevitable, but you and your puppy can learn cues quickly when you’re consistent.
Short walks at first
You might be tempted to exhaust your 8-week-old puppy with long walks, but their young joints can’t take it yet. Start with very short walks around your backyard to teach them leash skills.
Crate train your puppy when you can’t watch them
If it’s time for you to go to work, or you can’t watch your puppy while putting your human children to sleep for the night, they should be in a crate. When they are roaming unattended, not only do they have accidents and destroy your shoes, but they may actually chew something dangerous, like wooden toys, wires, food on the counter, etc. Crates keep your puppy safe!
When to begin training a puppy
You can begin training your puppy as soon as you bring them home! They can start potty training and crate training right away, and you can work on good leash skills from the start (don’t get too excited if your dog seems like an expert in one day, once their legs get stronger, they may start pulling more).
But local dog training is also essential to incorporate into your puppy's schedule. You’ll want them to socialize early and get that practice walking calmly past other dogs. Training facilities will most likely require you to wait until your dog is fully vaccinated to sign up for classes.
Online courses seem like an easy option to train your dog, but that socialization will make your walks around town much easier. Your puppy is a “puppy” for about two years, so get that exposure in as much as possible!
Can I get a puppy if I work full-time?
Yes! But you will need a plan. You can’t leave your puppy home alone for 8-9 hours. At Walks Wiggles and Wags, we offer puppy sitting and visits throughout the day to support busy families who are giving their puppy a great life.
Here’s our sample schedule for full workday (8 am - 5:30 pm) coverage of an 8-week-old puppy:
10:30 AM - First visit for potty break, playtime, and a snack if needed.
1:00 PM - Mid-day visit for additional potty break and engagement.
3:30 PM - Final visit before you return home to help reduce accidents and give your puppy some attention.
CLICK HERE to learn more about our northern NJ puppy sitter services.
