The Morning After – Routines, Potty Plans, and Coffee. Lots of Coffee.

JFK from Woodbriar Wags

If you’ve made it through the night—high five. If you’re reading this with one eye open and a coffee in hand, I see you. Welcome to your first morning as a puppy parent. I promise, this is so temporary, but I know how tired you are!

1. Morning Potty First (Before Coffee, Sorry)

As soon as your pup stirs, it’s go-time. Scoop them up and head straight outside to their designated potty spot. Praise and reward immediately when they go—make it a celebration. Yes, even at 6 a.m.

Since they've been in their crate for a while, chances are your puppy will need to potty the moment you set them down outside. This is the perfect opportunity to start teaching them where you want them to go. Before you open the crate—or as you're picking them up to head outside—clip on their collar and leash. Then, head straight to the designated potty spot. Gently encourage them with your chosen phrase, like "go potty, [Name]" or "potty outside"—whatever works for you. Just be consistent. These little fluffballs are surprisingly quick learners and will start to connect your words with the action and location. Before you know it, they’ll be pottying on cue like a pro!

If your pup doesn’t go and instead wants to turn potty time into a game of zoomies, this is where the leash comes in handy. Remember: this is potty time, not playtime. Give them a few minutes to settle and gently use your chosen phrase to encourage them. Sometimes they need a moment to calm down before they can focus.

If they still don’t go, pick them up and head right back inside—and yes, straight into the crate. I know it feels wrong after they’ve been in there all night, but trust me, this part matters. They might cry, and that’s okay. Wait until they settle. It’s important not to open the crate or reward them while they’re crying. Even catching a split second of silence gives you your golden opportunity—say “yes” and open the crate right then. Hello, new reflexes!

This phase doesn’t last long, but what you’re doing now lays the groundwork for solid training habits. Stick with it, and you’ll be amazed at how far you and your pup have come. Then, scoop them up and give it another go.

2. Feed, Potty, Play, Potty. Sleep

Your morning routine will look something like this:

• Quick potty

• Breakfast

• Potty again (they're little poop factories, remember?)

• Short playtime or a walk

• And yes, probably another potty

• Naptime back in the crate

Puppies come with tiny bladders and turbo-charged metabolisms, so the more opportunities you give them to get it right, the fewer accidents you’ll be mopping up. And remember that puppy playpen you thoughtfully set up? That’s your best friend now. It’s the go-to spot for your puppy when you're not actively playing or working with them.

Avoid the rookie mistake of letting them roam freely around the house—or even a full room. They’re just not there yet. Instead, stock their playpen with engaging toys, safe chews (only if you're nearby to supervise), puzzles, snuffle mats, and a cozy blanket. Not only will this keep them entertained and out of mischief, but it’ll also save your sanity and maybe even your furniture.

You're still going to want to pick them up and put their leash and collar on about every 30 minutes for these first few days to go outside to potty. Again, if they don't go, then bring them back in and put them into the crate for 15 minutes or so and try again. Every time they successfully do their business outside, they get about 30 minutes to play either out of their playpen area with you, or inside the playpen area if you're not able to supervise for a bit.

Thinking about bell training? It’s a fun and super helpful way for your puppy to let you know they need to go. If that’s your plan, start right away. Hang the bell near the door you’ll always use for potty breaks. Every time you take your puppy out, ring the bell gently yourself while saying your chosen potty cue—something like “go potty” or “outside.”

Once your pup is comfortable with the sound, begin helping them interact with the bell. You can gently guide their paw or nose to tap it before heading out. Pretty soon, they’ll start doing it on their own. One day, in the middle of playtime, they’ll stop, trot over, ring that bell, and you’ll realize you have the most brilliant pup in the neighborhood—and guess what? You’re absolutely right.

3. Begin the Routine

Start establishing a rhythm for your days together. Dogs thrive on routine, and the earlier you create it, the faster they’ll settle in. Keep things predictable: same wake-up, feeding, play, and nap windows if you can.

4. Coffee and Observation Time

Grab your coffee, find a comfy spot, and take a few minutes to simply watch your puppy. This is where your bond really begins. Pay attention to their little habits—the sniff-and-circle that means “I need to potty,” their zoomie triggers, their preferred nap spots. These small observations will help you become a better trainer in the long run.

This is also the perfect time to start reinforcing one of the simplest (and most powerful) behaviors: eye contact. It might sound too easy, but every time your puppy looks at you, mark it with a cheerful “yes!” or even offer a small treat. Before long, they’ll realize that checking in with you brings good things—and that’s huge. You’re teaching them that you’re their safe place, their anchor, and the one worth paying attention to no matter what the world throws at them.

5. Don’t Stress Perfection

It’s totally normal if the morning feels a bit chaotic. There will be barking, a little biting (puppy teeth are no joke), and yes—probably a mess or two. Take a deep breath. What matters most right now isn’t perfection—it’s connection. You’re building a bond, and that’s far more important than getting everything “just right.”

It’s only the first day. Give your puppy—and yourself—some grace. With each hour, you’ll both get a little more confident, and before you know it, you’ll be rocking this puppy parenthood thing like a pro.

6. Document the Moments

Take the photo. Record the zoomies. Capture that ridiculous flop onto their back with all four paws in the air. These early days go fast, and sleep deprivation has a way of blurring memories.

Puppy Morning Routine – Sample

• 6:00 a.m. – Wake up & potty trip

• 6:15 a.m. – Breakfast - Pro Tip - in a few days, you can begin to use your puppy's breakfast for a 2-3 minute training session on those basic commands you'd like them to learn

• 6:30 a.m. - Potty again

• 6:45 a.m. - Light play or a short walk

• 7:15 a.m. - Potty again

• 7:30 a.m. - Quiet time / crate rest

• 9:30 a.m. - Potty again

• 9:45 a.m. - Play time

• 10:15 a.m. - Potty again

• 10:30 a.m. - Quiet time crate rest

• 12:30 p.m. - Lunch time

Whew! You made it through your first morning—congrats! 🎉 Remember, perfection isn’t the goal here (not even close). You and your puppy are learning together, and that takes time, patience, and a whole lot of grace. But trust me—you’ll figure it out.

Soak in these early days while your pup is still tiny and curious, exploring their new world—and you. These moments go by in the blink of an eye, so take a deep breath and enjoy the ride.

"Puppies don’t stay small forever—but the love, trust, and memories you build now will grow with them every step of the way."