Breed Guides, Puppy Guide
Cavoodle Puppy First Week Home: Your Day-by-Day Survival Plan
Cavoodle
Puppy First Week Home: Your Day-by-Day Survival Plan
Quick Answer: Your cavoodle puppy first week
home should focus on routine, rest, and gentle introductions.
Keep visitors to a minimum for the first 48 hours. Expect night crying,
toilet accidents, and lots of napping. Set up a safe zone with crate,
water, and toys before pickup day. By day seven, your puppy should be
settling into a basic routine.
Your cavoodle puppy first week home is going to be a
wild ride. Exciting, exhausting, and a little bit nerve-wracking. (Yes,
really.)
Indeed, we talk to new Cavoodle owners every single week at our
salon. The same worries come up each time: Is my puppy eating enough?
Why won’t they stop crying at night? Am I messing this up already?
Here’s the truth. You’re not messing it up. However, having a plan
makes everything smoother. So let’s walk through your first week, day by
day.
Cavoodle Puppy
First Week Home: Before Pickup Day
First, get your house ready at least two days before your puppy
arrives. No one wants a frantic trip to the pet store at 9pm on night
one.
Essentials to have ready:
- Crate with a soft bed inside (not a cage – a cosy den)
- Puppy pads for toilet training
- Food and water bowls (stainless steel is best)
- The same food your breeder has been using
- A few safe chew toys
- Enzyme cleaner for accidents (you will need this)
- Baby gates to block off rooms
Also, puppy-proof your home. Pick up loose cables, move toxic plants,
and secure anything at nose height. Cavoodle puppies are curious and
fast.
Marine’s Pro Tip
“I always tell new puppy owners – ask your breeder for a blanket or
towel that smells like mum. Put it in the crate. It makes the first few
nights so much easier because the puppy still has that familiar scent.”
– Marine, Head Groomer at WoofSpark
Day 1: Arrival Day
Remember, your puppy has just left their mum, their siblings, and the
only home they’ve ever known. So keep day one calm and quiet.
What to do:
- Let them explore one room at a time (don’t give them the whole
house) - Show them their crate, water bowl, and toilet spot
- Offer a small meal of the breeder’s food
- Keep handling gentle and voices low
- Limit visitors – just your household for now
What to expect:
- Sniffing everything
- Following you around
- Possible accidents (totally normal)
- Some whimpering or hiding
Generally, the biggest mistake on day one is doing too much. Your
puppy needs rest, not a parade of visitors wanting a cuddle.
Days 2-3: Building the
Routine
Still, keep things simple. Your main job over these two days is to
start a basic routine.
Morning routine: 1. Take puppy straight to their
toilet spot 2. Offer breakfast (same time each day) 3. Short play
session (10-15 minutes) 4. Crate time for a nap
Through the day: – Toilet breaks every 1-2 hours –
Short play, then rest – Begin gentle handling of paws, ears, and
mouth
Often, new owners worry their puppy sleeps too much. Cavoodle puppies
need 18-20 hours of sleep per day. That’s normal. Let them rest.
For feeding amounts and schedules, check our Cavoodle Feeding Guide.
Marine’s Pro Tip
“Start touching their paws, ears, and face now – even if they squirm.
We see so many dogs at the salon who have never had their paws handled.
Baby steps. A few seconds each day builds up to a dog that’s calm on the
grooming table.” – Marine, Head Groomer at WoofSpark
Days 4-5:
Cavoodle Puppy First Week Home Milestones
By now, your puppy should start showing a pattern. They’ll know where
their food bowl is. They might walk to the door before a toilet
accident. (Progress!)
Focus areas:
- Toilet training: Reward every outdoor success with
praise and a small treat. Ignore accidents – just clean up quietly. Read
our full Cavoodle Toilet Training
Guide for step-by-step help. - Crate training: Leave the crate door open during
the day. Pop a treat inside. Never use the crate as punishment. - Short alone time: Leave the room for 30 seconds,
then return. Build up slowly. This prevents separation anxiety later.
(Our Cavoodle Separation Anxiety
Guide covers this in detail.)
| Day | Focus | What to Expect | Expert Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Settling in | Sniffing, following, some hiding | Keep it calm and quiet |
| 2-3 | Routine building | Starting to learn meal times | Short play, lots of rest |
| 4-5 | Confidence growing | Walking to the door, less crying | Begin gentle handling |
| 6-7 | Settling into rhythm | Sleeping through or waking once | Ready for short outings |
Days 6-7: Settling In
So by the end of the week, things should feel a bit easier. Your
puppy is learning your routine. Night crying should be less intense.
Toilet accidents are getting fewer.
This week, focus on:
- A short car ride (just around the block) to get them used to
travel - Meeting one or two calm, vaccinated dogs
- Introducing the brush – just let them sniff it, no brushing yet
- Continuing to handle paws, ears, and mouth daily
Remember, your Cavoodle’s coat will need regular care as it grows.
Starting early with gentle touch makes grooming so much easier later.
Our Cavoodle Grooming
Guide covers everything from first brush to full grooms.
Common First Week Problems
(and Fixes)
| Problem | Likely Cause | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Crying all night | Missing mum, new environment | Breeder blanket in crate, heartbeat toy |
| Won’t eat | Stress, new food, overexcitement | Same food as breeder, quiet feeding spot |
| Biting hands and feet | Teething, play behaviour | Redirect to a chew toy, say “ouch” and walk away |
| Following you everywhere | Bonding, insecurity | Normal at first – start short alone-time training by day 4 |
| Diarrhoea | Stress, food change | Stick to breeder’s food, see vet if it lasts 48+ hours |
According to the RSPCA’s
puppy guide, the first two weeks are the most important adjustment
period. Patience and consistency are everything.
Marine’s Pro Tip
“The number one thing I wish every new Cavoodle owner knew? Start
brushing early. Even before there’s much coat to brush. Just a soft
brush on their back for 30 seconds. By the time they need real grooming
at 12-16 weeks, it won’t be scary.” – Marine, Head Groomer at
WoofSpark
Your Cavoodle
Puppy First Week Home Checklist
Here’s a quick tick-list to keep on your fridge:
Make the
First Week Easier With the Cavoodle Puppy Kit
We built the Cavoodle Puppy Kit
for exactly this moment. It bundles everything you need for your puppy’s
first weeks – from grooming tools to care guides – into one kit designed
by professional groomers who’ve cared for thousands of Cavoodles.
Instead of guessing what to buy or reading ten different blogs, you
get one clear resource from people who actually work with this breed
every day.
About the Author
Marine Ponchaut is the founder and head groomer at WoofSpark in
Cessnock, NSW. With 16,472+ appointments, 3,808 pets, and 186+ five-star
reviews, she’s groomed more Cavoodles than she can count. (450 and
counting, actually.) Marine built her salon from a garage into the only
grooming business still standing in Cessnock.
Last updated: February 2026
This guide now includes a day-by-day breakdown, a troubleshooting
table for common first-week problems, and Marine’s professional tips
from caring for thousands of Cavoodle puppies at the WoofSpark
salon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How
long does it take for a Cavoodle puppy to settle in?
Most Cavoodle puppies take 1-2 weeks to fully settle into a new home.
By the end of the first week, night crying usually decreases and toilet
training starts to click. Every puppy is different, so give yours grace
and stick to the routine.
Should I let my
Cavoodle puppy sleep in my bed?
For the first few weeks, a crate next to your bed is the best option.
It keeps your puppy safe, helps with toilet training, and gives them a
secure den. Once they’re older and fully house-trained, you can decide
about bed access.
When should I
take my Cavoodle puppy to the vet?
Book a vet check within the first 48 hours of bringing your puppy
home. Your vet will check their health, confirm vaccination schedules,
and answer any breed-specific questions. Don’t wait for a problem – this
visit is preventative.
When can I start
grooming my Cavoodle puppy?
Start gentle handling (paws, ears, mouth) from day one. Introduce the
brush in the first week – just let them sniff it and do a few gentle
strokes. A first professional groom can happen at 12-16 weeks, once
vaccinations allow.