What's included on go-home day, how to set your puppy up for a beautiful first week, and the vet schedule that keeps them safe.
A simple day-by-day plan for your puppy's first week — quiet, consistent, and confidence-building.
Quiet arrival. Limit new visitors. Let your puppy explore one room at a time.
Begin crate routine. Keep meals consistent — same brand, same schedule we use.
First short outings. Begin name recognition and basic potty rhythm.
First vet visit. Continue crate, leash intro, and short socialization windows.
Your puppy goes home with their first round of vaccinations already complete. From there, boosters are spaced roughly three weeks apart through 16 weeks of age.
Let your vet know what your puppy has already received from us — the full vaccination record comes home in their go-home bag — so they can plan the next booster about 6–7 weeks after the prior shot.
Given by MTN Green Doodles before go-home. Combo of Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus.
First booster after go-home. Most families do this within 3 business days of bringing puppy home.
About 3 weeks after the previous booster — can be done with a vet tech since the puppy has already been examined.
Completes the puppy series. Your puppy is considered fully vaccinated after this booster takes effect.
Your puppy's full vaccination record and date of birth come home in your go-home bag — bring this with you to the first vet visit so they can pick up exactly where we left off.
Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects dogs. Untreated cases are often fatal, and treatment typically requires hospitalization. It spreads through infected feces — and the virus is incredibly hardy, surviving on shoes, paws, grass, and surfaces for a long time. A puppy can pick it up simply by walking through a contaminated area and licking their paws.
Until your puppy completes their full booster series, carry them in public spaces — parks, sidewalks, pet stores, anywhere other dogs frequent. The ground is the riskiest place.
Parvo protection is a series — typically four doses spaced about three weeks apart. Your puppy isn't considered fully covered until the final booster takes effect around 16 weeks.
You never know where someone's shoes have been. Don't let your puppy lick, mouth, or chew on shoes — and consider a shoes-off policy at home until your puppy is fully vaccinated.
Weeks 8–16 are a critical socialization window — but you don't have to stay home. Keep your puppy moving and exposed to sights and sounds from a stroller, carrier bag, or your arms until they're fully vaccinated. Friends' dogs that are fully vaccinated and known to you are also a safe way to socialize.
A short, practical list of what we use and recommend for your puppy's first weeks at home.
Choose a crate that will fit your puppy's adult size — or start with a small/extra-small and upgrade as they grow. Either way, use the included divider and give them only enough room to stand, turn around, and lie down. Too much extra space and they'll be tempted to potty inside. We love a double-door crate.
A folded blanket or towel for the bottom of the crate works great — thinner is easier to wash. A thicker bed or nest works well inside an exercise pen on the floor. Your puppy goes home with their scented Puppy Pal already.
A soft puppy collar, a harness for early walks, and a lightweight leash will get you started. Always remove the collar before your puppy goes into a pen or crate to prevent accidental strangulation.
No matter how careful you are during potty training, accidents are a fact of puppy life. Have an enzymatic cleaner on hand from day one so messes don't become repeat spots.
We recommend Purina Pro Plan Salmon & Rice All Ages — same food your puppy has been eating with us. Stainless steel bowls are the easiest to clean and last forever.
Your puppy comes home with their favorite toy and a collagen chew stick they've already been introduced to. Pick up a few chew-friendly toys plus small, soft, single-ingredient treats for training rewards.
A wire/slicker brush, nail clippers, and a gentle puppy shampoo are all you need to start. Pupwell's intro-to-grooming kits are wonderful if you'd like a one-stop option.
Hand-picked Amazon links for the exact products we use — crates, food, brushes, cleaning supplies, and the favorite toys our puppies grow up with.