The Complete New Maltipoo Puppy Checklist for Your First 48 Hours
You just said yes to a Maltipoo and the clock is ticking on those first 48 hours.
Here is the exact checklist we use with new toy-breed pups so you can skip the stress and enjoy the snuggles.
Short, simple, and practical — do these steps and you will be off to a calm start.
Before You Pick Up Your Puppy
Lay the runway now and your first day feels easy later.
- Crate with soft bedding and a blanket that smells like the breeder or shelter.
- Playpen or gated area with pee pads, toys, and a water bowl.
- Puppy food the breeder used, plus small training treats.
- Harness, lightweight leash, poop bags, enzymatic cleaner, and baby wipes.
- Vet appointment booked within two to three days of arrival.
- Puppy-safe zone set up away from stairs and cords
- Human foods and houseplants moved out of reach
- Switch food brand on day one
- Leave the crate assembly for later tonight
The Ride Home
Use a travel crate or hold the leash clipped to a harness with the puppy on a passenger’s lap; never loose on the seat.
Pack a towel for car-sickness, a small trash bag, and a chew to settle nerves.
Keep the ride quiet and cool. Short, calm, and uneventful beats cute but overwhelming.
First Potty Break
Before crossing your home’s threshold, take a quick potty stop at the exact spot you want your Maltipoo to use.
Stand still, say a simple cue once, and wait two to three minutes. If they go, praise warmly and give a tiny treat. If not, try again in ten minutes inside the pen on a pad.
Crate And First Night
Place the crate in your bedroom or within arm’s reach for the first nights. Being near you reduces crying and helps you hear potty cues.
Let the puppy explore the open crate with a treat trail, then close for one to two minutes, open, treat, and repeat. Build to 15 minutes before bedtime.
Overnight, plan on one to two potty trips depending on age and size. Quietly out, potty, back to bed — no play party.
Feeding And Water
Maltipoos are tiny, so stable blood sugar matters. Start with three to four small meals spaced four hours apart.
Feed the same food they were on for at least three to five days. If you want to switch brands, mix gradually once stools are settled.
Fresh water always available in the pen. Pick up the water bowl about two hours before bedtime to help the first night.
Introductions At Home
Give a house tour on leash, room by room. Keep voices soft and movements slow.
For kids, one sitter at a time, sitting on the floor, hands under chins not over heads. For resident pets, sniff through a gate first, then short parallel time on leashes.
End on a success early; you can always do another meet later.
Vet Plan And Parasites
Bring any records you received to a vet visit within the first two to three days. Ask about vaccine timing, deworming, and flea or tick prevention that is age and weight appropriate.
Discuss microchipping if not already done and talk through a toy-breed dental plan early.
Early Training Basics
In the first 48 hours, keep it tiny: name recognition, potty routine, and gentle handling.
- Name game: say their name once, treat when they glance at you. Five reps, a few times a day.
- Potty rhythm: out after waking, after eating, after play. Same spot, same cue.
- Chew plan: offer soft chews and rotate toys to save your sleeves.
Skip crowded classes until vaccines are current; safe socialization can still happen with sounds, surfaces, and carried outings.
Red Flags To Watch
Call your vet promptly if you see any of the following in a new Maltipoo.
- Refusing all food for more than one meal or repeated vomiting or diarrhea.
- Lethargy that is not simple nap-time, or trouble staying upright.
- Bloated belly with discomfort, persistent cough, green or thick nasal or eye discharge.
- Straining to urinate or defecate, or blood in stool.
Sample 48-Hour Routine
Use this as a skeleton and adjust to your puppy’s pace.
- 7:00 — Outside potty, then breakfast, then calm play.
- 8:00 — Nap in the crate with a safe chew.
- 10:00 — Potty break, short training, gentle socialization at home.
- 12:00 — Lunch, potty, play, then pen time while you work nearby.
- 2:30 — Potty, explore one new room or surface, cuddle, nap.
- 5:00 — Dinner, potty, brief leash practice in the yard or hallway.
- 7:30 — Quiet time, water up, last potty at 9:00 to 9:30, then bed.
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.