Bringing home a Mini Golden puppy: your first-week checklist

Last updated October 2026 · By Reagan, Golden Raes, Lehi, Utah

Quick answer

Before your Mini Golden comes home at 8 weeks, set up a crate, a puppy-safe space, the same food the breeder has been feeding, and a vet visit in the first few days. Puppies need booster vaccines every 2 to 4 weeks until at least 16 weeks old, so plan safe socialization while the series finishes.

What should you buy before gotcha day?

A crate sized for an adult Mini, with a divider for now
A soft bed and a couple of washable blankets
A collar or harness, a 6-foot leash and an ID tag with your phone number
Food and water bowls
Chew toys, a puzzle toy and a few soft toys
Small training treats
Enzyme cleaner for accidents
A puppy gate or pen for a safe space
A slicker brush and a gentle dog shampoo

What comes home with a Golden Raes puppy?

A microchip
Vaccines current through 8 weeks, with records for your vet
Your puppy's own DNA report
Our written health guarantee, up to five years on pawTree
A starter bag with the kibble they've been eating, a blanket that smells like home and more
Our number, for the life of your dog

What happens in the first week?

Day one: keep it calm. Show your puppy its space, its crate and the potty spot, and skip the big welcome party.
Potty breaks: take your puppy out after every nap, meal and play session, and praise the second they go.
Crate time: feed meals in the crate and use it for naps so it becomes a safe place.
Vet visit: schedule it in the first few days. Your health guarantee paperwork lists the exact timing it requires.
Food: keep feeding the kibble from the starter bag. If you switch, mix the new food in gradually over about a week.

Meet the next Golden Raes litterNike and George's December 2026 litter is reserving now, $5,000, home around Valentine's Day.

Apply for a puppy

What does the puppy vaccine timeline look like?

Typical puppy vaccine timeline
Age	What usually happens
6–8 weeks	First core combination vaccine (done before a Golden Raes puppy goes home)
10–12 weeks	Core combination booster
12–16 weeks	Rabies, timed by your vet and state law, plus another booster
16 weeks or older	Final puppy dose of the core vaccine
About 1 year	Boosters that set up the adult schedule

This follows the AAHA-aligned schedules summarized by Webvet and Paoli Vet: a core vaccine every 2 to 4 weeks, finishing with a dose at 16 weeks or older. Your vet will set the exact plan.

How do you socialize a puppy before vaccines are done?

Don't wait. The prime socialization window closes around 12 to 14 weeks, according to Petful, right in the middle of the vaccine series. Veterinary behaviorists recommend controlled socialization in the meantime:

Carry your puppy through stores, parks and parking lots to see the world.
Invite healthy, vaccinated dogs and friendly people over.
Join a puppy class that requires first vaccines.
Skip dog parks and pet store floors until your vet says your puppy is fully protected.

When should you call your vet or us?

Call your vet right away if your puppy stops eating, is unusually tired, or has vomiting or diarrhea that doesn't clear up quickly. Call or text us with anything else, from crate training to whether a behavior is normal. That's what lifetime support is for.

Quick questions

When can my puppy go to the dog park?

Wait until the full vaccine series is done, with a final dose at 16 weeks or older, and your vet confirms your puppy is protected.

Should I keep feeding the same food?

Yes, at least at first. Golden Raes sends home the kibble your puppy has been eating, and any switch should be mixed in gradually over about a week.

How soon should my puppy see a vet?

In the first few days home. Your Golden Raes health guarantee paperwork lists the exact timing it requires.

Keep reading: What is a Mini Golden Retriever? (2026 Guide), Do Mini Golden Retrievers shed? (2026 Guide), How much does a Mini Golden Retriever cost? (2026 Price Guide). Or see the next litter.

Sources

Last updated: October 2026 · Golden Raes, Lehi, Utah · @golden_raes