08/09/2026
Puppy Tips (featuring Archie, one of our Kliphuis Goldendoodles)
Physical & Behavioral Expectations
Extreme Sleep Needs: Puppies need 18 to 20 hours of sleep per day to support rapid brain and body development. Overtired puppies mimic human toddlers and will act out via biting, excessive barking, and frantic crying.
Limited Bladder Capacity: As a baseline, a crated puppy can only hold its bladder for one hour per month of age (e.g., a 2-month-old pup can manage roughly 2 hours). Outside of a crate, they need a potty break every 30 to 45 minutes, plus immediately after eating, playing, or waking up.
Biological Teething & Chewing: Puppies explore entirely with their mouths and enter an intense teething phase between 3 to 6 months of age. They cannot naturally distinguish between a rubber toy and expensive leather shoes, making total environmental management a necessity.
