The first month with a new Maltipoo puppy sets the tone for a lot of what comes after. Here’s a rough week-by-week checklist to help you stay on track.
Week 1: Settling In
- Keep the environment calm — limit visitors and new experiences for the first few days
- Stick to the same food your breeder was using to avoid stomach upset
- Schedule (or attend) your first vet visit
- Start basic potty training routine — consistent timing after meals, naps, and play
- Expect some whining at night; this typically improves within a few days to a week
Week 2: Building Routine
- Establish a consistent feeding and sleep schedule
- Begin very short, positive training sessions — name recognition, “sit,” and gentle handling of paws/ears/mouth to build tolerance for future grooming and vet visits
- Continue potty training consistency; accidents are still normal at this stage
- Start light leash introduction indoors, even before your puppy is ready for outdoor walks
Week 3: Socialization Begins
- If your puppy has completed their appropriate vaccination stage (confirm with your vet), begin careful, controlled exposure to new environments
- Introduce new people, calmly and in small numbers, to build confidence
- Continue basic obedience in short sessions — puppies this age have short attention spans, so 5-10 minutes at a time is plenty
- Watch for adult teeth coming in and adjust chew toy availability accordingly
Week 4: Expanding the World
- Continue building on leash walking, basic commands, and socialization
- Schedule a follow-up vet visit if your vet recommended one for the next vaccination round
- Start noticing your puppy’s individual personality and adjust routine to what’s working
- Consider whether formal puppy training classes make sense going forward
Signs Worth Calling Your Vet About
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea, lethargy that doesn’t improve with rest, refusal to eat for more than a day, or any injury should be checked promptly rather than waiting it out.
We’re Here Beyond Pickup Day
Every puppy comes home with feeding guidance and a written health guarantee, and we’re glad to answer questions as you go through these first weeks. Contact us or see our available puppies →
