Taking care of your puppies
You will find some useful information below that will help you to transition your puppy into your home, and how to help their development.
Bringing home a winter puppy - part one
Preparing your garden and outdoor space
Bringing home a new puppy in winter can be such a lovely, cosy time of year — full of warm cuddles, early dark evenings, and those first frosty walks together. But it also brings its own little challenges! With shorter days and wetter weather, it’s worth making a few simple preparations before your new arrival steps paw into your home. As an experienced Golden Retriever breeder, I’ve helped many families welcome puppies during the winter months, and I’ve learned that a bit of thoughtful setup makes all the difference.
​​​Check and Tidy Your Garden. Before your puppy arrives, take a good look around your garden. Sweep up fallen leaves and branches, and clear away tools, toys, or clutter that could be tempting for little teeth, or potentially dangerous. Trim back overhanging bushes and make sure there aren’t any plants within reach that could be toxic to dogs.
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Light the Way. Winter evenings and mornings are dark, and young puppies need to go outside very frequently — sometimes every 30 minutes! Make sure your outdoor area has decent lighting, or keep a bright torch or headlamp nearby. Trust me, stepping in puppy poop in the dark is an experience best avoided!
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Keep It Small and Secure. Puppies don’t need the run of your whole garden just yet. Start with a smaller, secure area of grass, gravel, or patio. It’s easier to supervise, quicker to clean, and helps your puppy learn where to go. Make sure the space is fully enclosed with no gaps in fences or gates.
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Plan for Cleaning. Having a simple way to wash down your puppy’s toilet area will make life easier. A hose or watering can works well. If you plan to jet wash or clean your patio before puppy arrives, do it a few days in advance to ensure no cleaning products remain, even mild residues can be harmful to young pups.
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Make It Comfortable for You, Too! You’ll be spending a fair bit of time outside waiting for your puppy to toilet, especially in the early days. Pop a garden chair in a sheltered spot, and keep a small container of reward treats or kibble nearby so you can praise your puppy the moment they finish. Quick rewards really help toilet training progress smoothly.
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Rain, Shelter, and Patience. Many puppies dislike going out in the rain, and will try to find a dry corner or even go under a table to stay out of the wet. You can help by setting up a small sheltered area — even a table or bench for cover will do — to encourage them to use the same spot each time.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way . A Few Final Thoughts Winter homing can be wonderful — cosy evenings, quiet bonding time, and plenty of indoor training. With your outdoor area ready, you’ll make those early toilet trips and training sessions far easier and more pleasant for both of you. It will be magical — those first snowy walks, cosy training sessions by the fire, and quiet evenings as your puppy snoozes at your feet. With some simple preparation, you’ll be ready to handle the darker, wetter days and keep things safe, clean, and calm for your new arrival. Enjoy every moment — the puppy stage goes by so quickly, and even the chilly toilet trips soon become part of the happy memories.
Next time, in Part Two, we’ll move indoors and talk about preparing your home for a winter puppy: creating a warm sleeping space, managing floors and routines, and setting up for success from the very first night.
Warm wishes, Sulis Goldens
Bringing home a winter puppy - part two
Preparing Yourself and Your Home Before Puppy Collection
Welcoming your winter puppy home isn’t just about preparing the house — it’s also about preparing yourself for those first joyful, messy, sleepy, love-filled weeks. Winter homing is wonderfully cosy, but with early darkness, muddy paws, and plenty of indoor settling time, a little thoughtful organisation goes a long way.
As I always remind our new families, calm preparation sets both you and your puppy up for success right from the beginning. Here are some practical steps to put in place before collection day arrives.
1. Get Organised With Puppy Admin
Before your puppy comes home, create a simple folder (digital or paper) to keep all their important information together:
• Vaccination schedule
• Vet registration details
• Microchip number
• Insurance documents
• Feeding plan and daily gram amounts
• Monthly worming & flea treatment reminders
• Training notes and milestones
This becomes your quick-reference guide during your puppy’s early weeks.
Vet Check-Ups:
Book your new puppy appointment ahead of time. Winter clinics are busy, and early booking ensures your puppy is seen calmly and promptly.
Worming & Flea Treatment:
Mark the dates in your phone or calendar now — one less thing to keep track of once your puppy is home.
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2. Plan Your Feeding Routine
Young puppies typically need four small meals per day, spaced evenly to support steady growth.
A helpful routine might be:
• Breakfast – 7:30am
• Meal Two – 12:00pm
• Meal Three – 4:00pm
• Supper – 7:30pm
Your breeder will provide exact gram amounts. Measure meals consistently, especially as winter pups spend more time indoors.
Introducing New Foods:
If you want to offer gentle extras like green beans, introduce them slowly over several days to avoid tummy upsets.
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3. Limit Visitors During Week One
Your puppy’s first week should be calm, quiet, and predictable — a gentle transition from the security of the litter.
Visitor rules for Week One:
• Keep visitors to a minimum
• Visits should be very brief — a 10–15 minute peek only
• No touching the puppy
• No refreshments
• A friendly but firm “goodbye”
This protects your puppy’s immune system, avoids overstimulation, and supports healthy rest.
After Week One:
Visits can gently increase to a 30–45 minute cuddle, then a goodbye. Still keep structure, calmness, and hygiene in place.
And remember:
Don’t let puppy visitors take over your life.
Be firm about boundaries and routines —
You can blame it on me (the breeder). Truly, I don’t mind.
Look After Your Own Health Too:
Avoid overwhelming yourself. It’s easy to become run down, overtired, and pick up winter colds and viruses when you’re hosting too many people.
Your puppy needs you healthy and rested.
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4. Wear the Right Clothing for Puppy Care
Choose clothing that keeps you safe and makes handling your puppy simple:
• No flappy sleeves or wide trouser legs
• No ties, toggles, cords, or dangling bits to chew
• Hair tied back securely
• Easy-wash, quick-dry fabrics
• Slip-on shoes without laces (indoor Crocs, simple slippers, or short slip-on indoor wellies)
Practical clothing helps especially during night-time and early-morning winter toilet trips.
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5. Protect Your Soft Furnishings
Prepare for wet paws and accidents by adding:
• A washable sofa cover
• Protective throws on your favourite chairs
• Waterproof mats/runners by the door
• A basket of clean towels ready for quick drying
These small steps keep your home comfortable and manageable.
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6. Manage Room Temperatures & Night-Time Comfort
Winter puppies need warmth and comfort — but not overheating.
Know Your Room Temperatures:
• Check the temperature in the rooms your puppy sleeps in
• Aim for warm-but-not-hot
• Avoid blasting heating or sudden temperature changes
Use Your Thermostat Wisely:
Ensure your thermostat works reliably so you can maintain a steady, gentle overnight warmth.
Provide Snuggly Comfort:
Your puppy is used to sibling huddles, not artificial heat. Offer:
• A soft fleece blanket
• Vet bedding
• A cuddly toy
• A safe puppy heat pad or microwavable disc (warm, never hot)
This gives them reassurance and comfort without overheating.
Make the Crate Cosy and Dark:
Cover ¾ of the crate overnight to:
• Block early morning light
• Reduce draughts
• Create a den-like feeling
• Prevent visual stimulation
Leave a small section open for airflow.
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7. Plan for Easy Dining & a Simplified Lifestyle
Those first puppy days are magical but tiring. Make life easier for yourself by simplifying everything possible.
Fill Your Freezer with Easy Meals:
Prepare simple, comforting dishes such as:
• Soups
• Stews
• Slow-cooker portions
• Batch-cooked meals ready to heat
This saves time when your hands are full of training and settling.
Simplify Your Schedule:
For the first week or two:
• No parties
• No home events
• No extra commitments
Your home should feel restful and predictable for both of you.
Rest Whenever You Can:
Sleep will be broken at first. Share duties if possible:
• Night owls take the late-night and bedtime toilet trips
• Early risers take the quiet morning shift
This helps everyone stay rested and calm.
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8. Keep Your Home Calm, Predictable & Cosy
Your puppy’s early days are for gentle bonding, soft rhythms, and lots of rest.
• Keep mealtimes consistent
• Maintain predictable toilet and nap routines
• Reduce noise and stimulation
• Use soft lighting in the evenings
• Offer calm, reassuring companionship
Winter homing naturally encourages a slower, cosier rhythm — perfect for helping your puppy settle beautifully.
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A Final Word Before Your Puppy Comes Home
Collecting your winter puppy is the beginning of a beautiful chapter. With thoughtful preparation — from managing visitors to planning feeds, protecting your furnishings to preparing your freezer — you’ll step into that first week feeling calm, confident, and ready.
A warm, organised home and a rested, prepared owner are two of the greatest gifts you can give your new puppy as they settle into their forever family.
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Warmest wishes,
Sulis Goldens
Experienced Golden Retriever Breeder & Trainer
Bringing home a winter puppy - part three
Crate Training Instructions for a 7–8 Week Old Puppy (Night Routine)
1. Prepare the Crate Properly
• Place the crate in a quiet, draft-free part of the home.
• Add soft bedding that smells familiar (a blanket or cloth from the breeder if provided).
• Cover the crate with a breathable blanket or crate cover to create a dark, den-like environment.
• Ensure good airflow; do not block the front.
• You may play relaxed instrumental music at a very low volume nearby to provide a calm background and help settle the puppy.
2. Introduce the Puppy to the Crate Calmly
• Allow the puppy to explore the crate during the early evening.
• Encourage the puppy to go in and out with calm praise or a kibble or two.
• Keep the atmosphere neutral — quiet, slow movements, no excitement.
• Let the puppy nap in the crate during the day if possible.
3. Manage Food and Water
• Feed the last meal around 3 hours before bedtime.
• Lift the water at 8pm to reduce overnight accidents.
• Offer a final small drink only after the last toilet trip if needed, then lift again.
4. Pre-Bedtime Routine
• Take the puppy into the garden on a lead for a final controlled toilet break.
• Stand quietly until the puppy toilets.
• Bring the puppy straight inside and into the crate. No play, no talking.
5. Settling the Puppy in the Crate
• Place the puppy in the crate with a safe chew if desired.
• Close the crate door calmly.
• Cover the crate if not covered already.
• Keep lights low and voices off.
• Maintain the very quiet, relaxed music in the background.
• Leave the puppy to settle without interacting further.
6. Overnight Expectations
A 7–8-week-old puppy may need one genuine toilet break during the night, but this must remain strictly functional.
• Ignore playful, testing, or attention-seeking yelps.
• Respond only to persistent, escalating cries that indicate a real need to toilet.
• When responding:
• No talking
• No cuddling
• No eye contact
• Straight outside on a lead
• Wait quietly for toileting
• Straight back to the crate
• Close the door and leave
• Keep the entire interaction quiet, controlled, and under 2 minutes.
7. Early Morning
• Take the puppy out promptly once they wake.
• Straight outside, toilet only, then calm praise.
• Start the day normally after that.
8. Consistency
• Repeat the same steps every night.
• Avoid bringing the puppy into your bed or onto the sofa during the night; this creates long-term settling issues.
• Stay professional, calm, and consistent. Puppies settle faster when the humans remain predictable and quiet.
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Warmest wishes,
Sulis Goldens
Experienced Golden Retriever Breeder & Trainer