Pickup day is exciting — and it goes a lot more smoothly when your home is ready before your puppy arrives. This guide walks through the supplies to buy, the home prep to do, and the first-week plan to make so your new Goldendoodle's transition is calm and confident from the very first hour.
Everything below reflects what we tell families picking up a puppy from our Midland and Dallas, TX programs. Get these things in place ahead of time and you'll spend pickup day snuggling your puppy instead of running to the store.
The Supply Checklist
You don't need a mountain of gear, but a few essentials should be waiting by the door. Start with a crate sized for your puppy's expected adult weight and a divider so you can shrink the space while they're small. Add a playpen or gated areato give your puppy a safe, confined zone when you can't watch them every second.
Round it out with stainless steel food and water bowls, a bag of the same puppy food your breeder has been feeding, a lightweight collar, leash, and ID tag, potty pads or a designated outdoor spot, a handful of chew toys to save your furniture, and grooming basics like a slicker brush. Goldendoodle coats need regular brushing from an early age, so getting your puppy used to it now pays off later.
If you'd like your puppy to arrive already microchipped or with an extra vet visit completed, ask about our optional upgrades before pickup day.
Puppy-Proof Your Space
Before your puppy walks in the door, get down to their eye level and look at your home the way a curious eight-week-old will. Tuck away electrical cords, move houseplants and cleaning chemicals out of reach, pick up shoes and small objects, and block off stairs and any rooms that are off-limits.
Decide in advance where your puppy's safe zone will be — usually a gated kitchen or living area with easy-to-clean floors. A confined, hazard-free space protects both your puppy and your belongings during those first unpredictable weeks, and it makes house training far more manageable.
Plan the First Week
The single best thing you can do for a new puppy is be home. Plan to take at least three or four days off — ideally a full week — so you can establish crate and potty routines while bonding with your puppy. Avoid bringing a puppy home right before a stretch of long work days or travel.
Book your first vet appointment for within three to five days of pickup. Every Purkey Puppies puppy leaves with its first vaccination and a vet well-check already done, so this early visit is about establishing care with your own vet, reviewing the health records you received, and setting the schedule for the next round of shots.
Expect a little whining the first few nights — your puppy is adjusting to life away from its littermates. Because our Purkey, Stinnett, and Gentry families handle every puppy daily from birth, our F1B Goldendoodles tend to be confident and quick to settle. A consistent routine, a cozy crate, and a lot of patience will have most puppies feeling right at home within a week or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
What supplies do I need before bringing a Goldendoodle puppy home?
You'll need a crate, a playpen or gated area, food and water bowls, the same puppy food your breeder has been feeding, a collar and leash with an ID tag, potty pads or a designated outdoor spot, chew toys, and grooming basics like a slicker brush. Having everything ready before pickup day means your puppy's first hours at home are calm instead of chaotic.
What size crate should I get for a Goldendoodle puppy?
Buy a crate sized for your Goldendoodle's expected adult weight and use a divider to shrink the space while they're small. A Mini Goldendoodle (20–35 lbs) does well in a 30-inch crate, while a Standard (40–70 lbs) needs a 42-inch crate. A crate that's too large lets a puppy potty in one corner and sleep in another, which slows down house training.
Should I keep feeding the same food my breeder used?
Yes — keep your puppy on the exact food the breeder was using for at least the first couple of weeks. A sudden diet change on top of the stress of a new home is a common cause of upset stomachs and diarrhea. If you want to switch foods later, do it gradually over 7–10 days by mixing increasing amounts of the new food into the old.
How do I puppy-proof my house before pickup?
Get down to puppy height and remove or secure anything a curious mouth could reach: electrical cords, houseplants, shoes, small objects, and cleaning chemicals. Block off stairs and rooms you don't want the puppy in, and decide in advance which space will be their safe, gated area. A confined, hazard-free zone protects both your puppy and your belongings during those first unpredictable weeks.
How soon should my Goldendoodle puppy see a vet?
Schedule your first vet visit within the first three to five days of bringing your puppy home. Every Purkey Puppies puppy leaves with its first vaccination and a vet well-check already done, so this early appointment lets your own vet establish care, review the health records you received, and set the schedule for the next round of shots.
How much time off should I take when my puppy comes home?
Plan to be home for at least the first three to four days, and ideally a full week, when your puppy arrives. Those early days set the tone for crate training, potty routines, and bonding. Bringing a puppy home right before a stretch of long work days or travel makes the adjustment much harder on everyone.
How long does it take a Goldendoodle puppy to settle in?
Most Goldendoodle puppies settle into a new home within one to two weeks. The first few nights often include some whining as they adjust to being away from their littermates, but a consistent routine, a cozy crate, and patience speed things along. Because our puppies are handled daily and well-socialized before they leave, they tend to bounce back quickly.
Ready When Your Puppy Is
A little preparation turns pickup day from stressful to joyful. Have your supplies bought, your space puppy-proofed, and your first week cleared, and your Goldendoodle will settle in faster and happier — and you'll get to enjoy every minute of it.
Have questions about what to expect before pickup? Reach out anytime, or browse our available puppies to see who's ready to join your family.
Ready to Reserve Your Puppy?
Join the waitlist for an upcoming litter from our Midland or Dallas, TX program. $200 reserves your spot.