The Complete New Cavachon Puppy Checklist for Your First 48 Hours
You just brought home a Cavachon, and the clock is ticking on those first calm, confidence-building 48 hours.
Here’s the exact setup, schedule, and must-dos we use with our own pups—no fluff, just what works for this sweet, sensitive mix.
Follow this and your new shadow will eat, sleep, and potty like a pro by day two.
Set Up Your Arrival Kit
Have everything ready before pick-up so home feels predictable, not chaotic.
Crate + Playpen
Wire or plastic crate just big enough to stand, turn, and lie down, plus a pen for daytime hangouts.
Bedding + Snuggle Aid
Washable bed and a warm rice sock or heartbeat plush to ease that first-night loneliness.
Food + Bowls
Breeder/previous diet for a slow transition, shallow bowls to prevent whisker fatigue.
Potty Gear
Leash, poop bags, enzyme cleaner, and either pee pads or a turf tray if you need an indoor option.
The Ride Home
Buckle the crate in the back seat, line with a towel, and skip pet-store pit stops.
Keep it quiet: one calm human near the crate, windows up, no loud music.
First Potty Stop and Plan
Stop at a low-traffic grassy spot away from dog areas. Carry your pup from car to grass on leash.
Stand still, soft voice, and wait five minutes. If they go, praise and treat. If not, try again at home.
Create a Calm Safe Space
Pick a low-traffic room for the playpen with the crate inside, water, a chew, and a potty option if you must use one.
Let your Cavachon explore this zone first, then the rest of the home on a short leash in short tours.
Food, Feeding, and Water
Offer a small meal within an hour of arrival. Stick to the current brand for a few days to protect the tummy.
For small Cavachons, aim for three to four mini meals on day one and day two to keep energy steady.
Fresh water is always available, but pick up the bowl two hours before bedtime to reduce night accidents.
Vet Records and First Appointment
Snap photos of vaccine dates, deworming, microchip, and the breeder’s or shelter’s health notes.
Book a wellness exam within three days. Cavachons can be prone to ear infections, luxating patellas, and heart murmurs—ask your vet to check those specifically.
House Rules and Routine
Write a simple day plan everyone can follow: out to potty, eat, play, nap, repeat.
Use the same door, cue word, and spot for potty every time. Consistency beats intensity.
- Carry your pup to the potty spot after naps and meals
- Let them free-roam unsupervised on day one
- Crate naps between play sessions
- Change food on the first day
- Keep greetings calm and short
First Night Sleep Strategy
Place the crate beside your bed so your Cavachon can smell and hear you.
Middle-of-the-night trips are business-only: out, praise, back to bed. Keep lights low and voices softer.
Potty Training: Hour One to Hour Forty-Eight
Out when they wake, after meals, after play, and every two to three hours while awake.
Stand still at the spot, quietly wait, then reward within two seconds of success. If no luck in five minutes, try again in twenty.
Accident? Interrupt gently, take to the spot, then clean with an enzyme. No scolding—Cavachons are sensitive and will only get sneakier.
Gentle Socialization Without Overwhelm
In the first two days, think sights and sounds at home: doorbells, TV, hair dryer at a distance, different floors and surfaces.
Skip dog parks and busy visits. Choose one or two calm humans for short, treat-sprinkled hellos.
Cavachon Grooming Basics
That soft, wavy coat mats quickly behind ears, in armpits, and under the collar.
Do a one-minute brush session after dinner both days, reward heavily, and gently wipe eyes daily to reduce tear staining.
Keep ears dry after baths and wipe with a vet-approved ear cleaner once your vet okays a routine.
Watchouts and Red Flags
Call your vet if you see repeated vomiting or diarrhea, refusal to eat two meals in a row, labored breathing, nonstop coughing, pronounced lethargy, or a bloated, painful belly.
For training or behavior, downgrade the difficulty first—shorter sessions, richer treats, calmer environments—before assuming a big problem.
Print-friendly essentials you can glance at on the fridge
Your 48-Hour Cavachon Game Plan
- Protect sleepNap every 60 to 90 minutes; overtired pups nip and cry more.
- Short, sweet playFive to ten minutes of play, then a chew or sniffy walk in the yard.
- Reward the right thingsName, coming to you, sitting politely—catch them doing it right.
- Prevent, don’t punishUse gates and a leash indoors to avoid rehearsing mistakes.
Sviatoslav Oleksiv founded The Pets and Love in 2019. A lifelong pet owner and Rhodesian Ridgeback enthusiast, he writes and edits our guides to help fellow pet parents give their animals the best care.
Every guide follows our editorial standards. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice — always consult a licensed veterinarian about your pet's health.