Puppy Schedule

• The first two weeks of potty training are very important. The puppy should be on a strict schedule that you set up in advance, and make sure the entire household is aware of the schedule and takes part in it. My housebreaking schedule is in a chart below. If you work a full 8-9 hour day, it is important to hire a dog walker or friend to come let your puppy out at least twice during the day, or you can gate your puppy in a more open area and train it to use newspaper or pee pads.

Tilly’s (approximate) Schedule

6:00 AM (Michael)	Walk puppy, ½ hour play time, back in crate
8:00 AM (Carrie)	Walk puppy, offer food and water, walk puppy, ½ hour play time, back in crate
10:30 AM (Carrie)	Walk puppy, ½ hour play time, back in crate
3:00 PM (Carrie)	Walk puppy, offer food and water, walk puppy, ½ hour play time, back in crate
6:00 PM (Michael and Carrie)	Walk puppy, offer food and water, walk puppy, ½ hour play time, back in crate
10:00 PM (Michael)	Walk puppy, crate overnight
2:00 AM (Carrie)	May be necessary for a quick walk mid-night during the first week of housebreaking.

Schedule for the working parents!

6:00(or 7:00) AM	Walk puppy, offer food and water, walk puppy, crate puppy
10:00(or 11:00) AM	Roscoe Recess comes for a bathroom break, crate puppy
2:00(or 3:00) PM	Roscoe Recess comes for a bathroom break, play time, possible feeding, crate puppy
6:00(or 7:00) PM	Walk puppy, offer food and water, walk puppy, indoor play time, crate puppy
10:00(or 11:00) PM	Walk puppy, play time, crate puppy overnight
2:00(or 3:00) AM	May be necessary for a quick walk mid-night during the first week of housebreaking

**It seems like a lot of crate time, but actually the walks can be as long as you wish. If they are outside, that is where you want them to go. The ½ hour play time indoors can be extended as the puppy learns to hold it, and knows the correct potty place. This is why it is advisable to get your puppy in the spring if you live in Chicago!!