Free puppy schedule app
Track your puppy's daily schedule
Feedings, potty breaks, naps, and training — shared with your whole family. Start from expert age-based routines, then customize for your pup. Synced across phones and the web in real time.
Puppy schedule FAQ
- How often should a puppy eat?
- Young puppies typically eat three to four meals per day until about six months old. Newborns nurse every two hours around the clock.
- How often do puppies need potty breaks?
- A common rule is one hour per month of age between breaks, plus after meals, naps, and play. An 8-week-old puppy may need a trip outside every one to two hours.
- Can the whole family share one puppy schedule?
- Yes. TrackPepper lets everyone in your household see the same daily plan and check off feedings, potty breaks, naps, and training in real time.
- Does the schedule change as my puppy grows?
- Yes. Puppies need more frequent meals and potty trips when young. TrackPepper includes expert routines from newborn through senior — customize any stage for your dog.
Puppy schedule by age
Expert daily routines from newborn through senior. Tap a life stage to view feedings, potty breaks, naps, and training for that age.
Also have a cat? Browse cat schedules too
🐣
Newborn (0–8 weeks)
This stage is entirely mom-led. Puppies are blind, deaf, and fully dependent. Your role is monitoring health, weight, and warmth, not scheduling. They nurse every 2 hours around the clock.
Around the Clock (every 2 hrs)
Every 2 hrs
🍼
NurseMom feeds; orphaned pups need bottle feeding every 2 hrs, including overnight
Between feeds
💤
Sleep90% of the day, normal and essential for brain development
Your Daily Tasks
2x daily
⚖️
Weigh Each PupShould gain 10–15% of birth weight per day. Flag any not gaining.
Daily
🤲
Gentle HandlingBrief handling from day 3 onward helps socialization. Keep warm.
After each feed
🌿
Stimulate EliminationIf no mom: gently wipe belly/rear with warm damp cloth after every feeding
Always on
🌡️
Monitor TemperatureWhelping box: 85–90°F week 1, reduce 5° each week. Pups can't regulate body heat.
Milestones to Watch
~Day 10
👀
Eyes OpenVision is blurry at first, normal
~Day 14
👂
Ears OpenStart reacting to sounds
~Week 3
🐾
Begin Socialization WindowIntroduce gentle sounds, varied surfaces, human touch
~Week 4
🍽️
Begin WeaningIntroduce moistened puppy food; still nursing
🐣 Key Notes
If mom is present, let her do the work, your job is observation. Call your vet immediately if any pup is losing weight, crying constantly, rejected by mom, or feels cold to the touch. The socialization window (weeks 3–12) is the most critical period for a dog's entire life, exposure now shapes temperament forever.
🍼
Young Puppy (8–12 weeks)
The classic "new puppy" stage. Awake windows are only 1–1.5 hrs. Expect overnight potty trips, 3 meals/day, and lots of crate naps.
Overnight
~1:30 AM
🌿
Overnight PottyQuiet & calm. No play. Straight back to crate.
Morning
5:30 AM
🌿
Wake Up + PottyOutside immediately, no delay
5:40 AM
🍽️
Meal #1Outside again within 10 min
6:00 AM
🧸
Short Play5–10 min gentle play
6:30 AM
💤
Nap in Crate~90 min
Mid-Morning
8:00 AM
🌿
Potty Break
8:10 AM
⭐
Training5 min max, sit, name, recall
8:20 AM
🧸
Explore / SocializeSounds, surfaces, gentle handling
8:50 AM
🌿
Potty Break
9:00 AM
💤
Nap in Crate~90 min
Midday
10:30 AM
🌿
Potty Break
10:40 AM
🧸
Play + Short Training
11:30 AM
🌿
Potty Break
11:40 AM
🍽️
Meal #2Outside again within 10 min
12:00 PM
💤
Long Midday Nap1.5–2 hrs in crate
Afternoon
1:30 PM
🌿
Potty Break
1:40 PM
🧸
Play + Explore
2:10 PM
⭐
Training5 min max
2:30 PM
💤
Nap~90 min
Evening
4:00 PM
🌿
Potty Break
5:30 PM
🍽️
Meal #3Outside within 10 min after eating
6:00 PM
🧸
Active PlayMost energetic window
6:30 PM
💤
Evening Nap~60–90 min
8:00 PM
🕯️
Wind DownCalm time, chew toy. Limit water after 8 PM.
9:15 PM
🌿
Last Potty
9:30 PM
🌙
Bedtime in Crate
🍼 Key Notes
Potty outside within 5–10 min of every meal, nap, and play session. Training sessions = 5 min max. Overnight trips should be boring on purpose, lights low, no talking. She'll drop the overnight trip around 4–5 months.
🌱
3–4 Months
Awake windows stretch to ~2 hrs. Drop to 2 naps per day. Overnight potty trips become less frequent and may disappear entirely by month 4.
Overnight
~2:00 AM
🌿
Overnight Potty (if needed)Many pups drop this by 4 months, celebrate when it's gone!
Morning
5:30 AM
🌿
Wake Up + PottyOutside immediately
5:40 AM
🍽️
Meal #1Outside again within 10 min
6:00 AM
🧸
Play + Training10–15 min, more complex commands: down, stay, leave it
7:30 AM
🌿
Potty Break
8:00 AM
💤
Morning Nap~1.5–2 hrs in crate
Midday
10:00 AM
🌿
Potty Break
10:10 AM
🧸
Explore + SocializeLeash walks starting now, short and positive
11:00 AM
⭐
Training Session10 min max
11:30 AM
🌿
Potty Break
11:40 AM
🍽️
Meal #2Outside within 10 min
12:00 PM
💤
Long Afternoon Nap2–2.5 hrs
Afternoon
2:30 PM
🌿
Potty Break
2:40 PM
🧸
Active PlayFetch, tug, enrichment toys
3:30 PM
⭐
Training Session10 min max
4:00 PM
🌿
Potty Break
Evening
5:30 PM
🍽️
Meal #3Outside within 10 min
6:00 PM
🧸
Evening Play
7:30 PM
🌿
Potty Break
8:30 PM
🕯️
Wind DownChew toy, calm time. Limit water after 8 PM.
9:15 PM
🌿
Last Potty
9:30 PM
🌙
Bedtime
🌱 Key Notes
Start leash manners now, short, positive walks. Increase training complexity: down, stay, leave it, loose leash. Socialization window is closing, prioritize new people, dogs, and environments. Potty intervals can stretch to every 2–3 hrs during the day.
🐕
4–6 Months
Most pups sleep through the night now. Awake windows hit 3 hrs. You can stay at 3 meals/day or begin transitioning to 2, check with your vet.
Morning
5:30 AM
🌿
Wake Up + Potty
5:45 AM
🍽️
Meal #1Outside within 15 min
6:15 AM
🧸
Morning Walk or Play15–20 min leash walk
7:00 AM
⭐
Training10–15 min, heel, place, impulse control
8:00 AM
💤
Morning RestCrate or settle, ~1.5 hrs
Midday
10:00 AM
🌿
Potty Break
10:15 AM
🧸
Enrichment / PlayPuzzle toys, sniff walks, fetch
12:00 PM
🍽️
Meal #2 (if 3x/day)Outside within 15 min
12:30 PM
💤
Midday Nap1.5–2 hrs
Afternoon
2:30 PM
🌿
Potty Break
2:45 PM
🧸
Active PlayHigher energy, fetch, tug, off-leash if safe
3:30 PM
⭐
Training Session15 min max
4:15 PM
🌿
Potty Break
Evening
5:30 PM
🍽️
Meal #3 (or Meal #2 if 2x/day)Outside within 15 min
6:00 PM
🧸
Evening Walk20–30 min
8:00 PM
🌿
Potty Break
8:30 PM
🕯️
Wind DownChew toy, calm settle
9:15 PM
🌿
Last Potty
9:30 PM
🌙
Bedtime, sleeping through the night 🎉
🐕 Key Notes
Overnight potty trips should be fully gone by now, celebrate! Adolescence begins around 5–6 months; expect some stubbornness and testing of boundaries. Stay consistent. Start working on recall, stay, and leave it in more distracting environments. Keep potty intervals to every 3 hrs max during the day.
🦮
6–12 Months
Two meals/day. More physical exercise needed. Adolescence peaks around 6–9 months, training consistency matters more than ever. Crate becomes optional for settled dogs.
Morning
5:30 AM
🌿
Wake Up + Potty
5:45 AM
🍽️
Meal #1Outside within 15 min
6:15 AM
🧸
Morning Walk20–30 min, leash manners practice
7:00 AM
⭐
Training15 min, proofing commands in new environments
Midday
11:00 AM
🌿
Potty Break
11:15 AM
🧸
EnrichmentPuzzle feeder, sniff walk, playtime with another dog
12:00 PM
💤
Rest PeriodDog should be able to settle independently
Afternoon
2:00 PM
🌿
Potty Break
2:15 PM
🧸
Active ExerciseFetch, running, off-leash park, burn that adolescent energy
3:30 PM
⭐
Training Session15 min, advanced skills, impulse control, distraction proofing
4:00 PM
🌿
Potty Break
Evening
5:30 PM
🍽️
Meal #2Outside within 15 min
6:00 PM
🧸
Evening Walk30 min, sniff time matters for mental fatigue
8:30 PM
🌿
Potty Break
9:00 PM
🕯️
Wind DownCalm settle, chew toy or Kong
9:15 PM
🌿
Last Potty
9:30 PM
🌙
Bedtime
🦮 Key Notes
Adolescence is the hardest stretch, your pup may seem to "forget" training. Stay consistent and patient. Focus on real-world skills: greeting strangers politely, ignoring distractions on walks, staying calm at doors. Physical exercise + mental enrichment = a calmer dog. Potty intervals can now stretch to 4 hrs.
🐶
Adult (1–7 years)
Two meals/day, 2–3 walks/day, no forced nap schedule. Bladder holds 4–6 hours comfortably. Training shifts to maintenance and fun activities.
Morning
6:00 AM
🌿
Morning Potty
6:15 AM
🍽️
Meal #1
6:45 AM
🧸
Morning Walk / Exercise30–60 min depending on breed energy level
Midday
12:00 PM
🌿
Midday PottyCan extend to every 4–6 hrs for well-trained adults
12:15 PM
🧸
Enrichment (optional)Kong, puzzle toy, brief training refresher
Afternoon
4:00 PM
🌿
Afternoon Potty
4:15 PM
🧸
Afternoon ActivityWalk, fetch, dog park, training games
Evening
5:30 PM
🍽️
Meal #2
6:00 PM
🧸
Evening Walk30–45 min
9:00 PM
🌿
Last Potty
9:30 PM
🌙
BedtimeCrate optional, many adults settle freely
🐶 Key Notes
Exercise needs vary hugely by breed, a Border Collie needs 2 hrs/day, a Basset Hound is happy with 30 min. Mental enrichment (sniff walks, training, puzzle toys) is just as tiring as physical exercise. Annual vet checkups are key at this stage. Keep training skills fresh with occasional refreshers.
🦳
Senior (7+ years)
Large breeds hit senior status around 6–7; small breeds around 10+. Shorter, gentler exercise. May need a midday potty trip back. Watch for joint stiffness, appetite changes, and cognitive signs.
Morning
6:00 AM
🌿
Morning PottyMay be more urgent, get outside promptly
6:15 AM
🍽️
Meal #1Senior formula if vet recommends. Consider 3 smaller meals.
6:45 AM
🧸
Gentle Morning Walk15–30 min, slow pace, let them sniff, sniffing is enrichment
8:00 AM
💤
RestSeniors sleep more, totally normal
Midday
11:00 AM
🌿
Midday PottyBladder control weakens, add this trip back in
12:00 PM
🍽️
Meal #2 (if 3x/day)Smaller meals are easier on digestion
12:30 PM
🧸
Gentle EnrichmentSniff walk, easy puzzle toy, light play
1:30 PM
💤
Afternoon Rest
Afternoon
3:30 PM
🌿
Potty Break
3:45 PM
🧸
Short Walk or PlayWatch for limping, stiffness, or reluctance, ease off if needed
Evening
5:30 PM
🍽️
Meal #2 or #3
6:00 PM
🧸
Evening StrollGentle, unhurried, quality over quantity
8:30 PM
🌿
Potty Break
9:00 PM
🕯️
SettleOrthopedic bed is worth the investment at this stage
9:15 PM
🌿
Last Potty
9:30 PM
🌙
Bedtime
🦳 Key Notes
Bi-annual vet visits are recommended for seniors (every 6 months). Watch for: increased drinking/urinating, appetite loss, confusion at night, difficulty rising, or incontinence. Joint supplements (fish oil, glucosamine) may help, ask your vet. Keep their brain active with easy nose work and gentle training. Love them loudly, they've earned it. 🐾
Potty
Feeding
Sleep / Rest
Play / Walk
Training
Wind Down
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