Puppies are without a doubt some of the most adorable things on the planet. Parenting a new puppy, however, is no walk in the park. Here’s a guide to help you care for the new addition to the family.
When the time comes to finally bring your new puppy home for the first time, you can pretty much count on three things: unbridled joy, cleaning up your puppy’s accidents, and a major lifestyle adjustment. As you’ll soon learn, a growing puppy needs much more than a food bowl and a doghouse to thrive. And while it may be a lot of work initially, it’s well worth the effort. Establishing good and healthy habits in those first few sleep-deprived weeks will lay the foundation for many dog-years of happiness for you and your puppy.
1. Find a Good Vet
The first place you and your new puppy should go together is, you guessed it, straight to the vet for a checkup. This visit will not only help ensure that your puppy is healthy and free of serious health issues, birth defects, etc., but it will help you take the first steps toward a good preventive health routine. If you don’t have a vet already, ask friends for recommendations. If you got your dog from a shelter, ask their advice as they may have veterinarians they swear by. Local dog walkers and groomers are also a great source of ideas.
Relax a Little
While bringing home a new puppy is an exciting occasion, it’s important that you maintain low-key behavior upon your pet’s arrival. This is because too much excitement can make a pet anxious, causing bad behavior and/or irregular bathroom habits. Allow your pet to roam freely as he or she becomes acquainted with the new surroundings. Stroke his or her back softly and speak in a calming tone to help them adjust.
2. Make the Most of Your First Vet Visit
Ask your vet which puppy foods he or she recommends, how often to feed, and what portion size to give your pup.
Set up a vaccination plan with your vet.
Discuss safe options for controlling parasites, both external and internal.
Learn which signs of illness to watch for during your puppy’s first few months.
Ask about when you should spay or neuter your dog.
Set a Stable Routine
Just like humans, pets feel more comfortable when they have a set schedule they can depend on. Set a daily routine for feeding, walks, outdoor breaks, and play times to help your new pup adjust to life at your home. This will help eliminate any uneasy feelings your pet may have and help them feel safer in your care.
Often times, it’s best to keep younger puppies in one room while you’re gone. This will limit their access to potential danger zones like stairs and counters.
3. Shop for Quality Food
Your puppy’s body is growing in critical ways which is why you’ll need to select a food that’s formulated especially for puppies as opposed to adult dogs. Look for a statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) on the packaging to ensure that the food you choose will meet your pup’s nutritional requirements.
Small and medium-sized breeds can make the leap to adult dog food between 9 and 12 months of age. Large breed dogs should stick with puppy kibbles until they reach 2-years-old. Make sure your puppy has fresh and abundant water available at all times.
Feed multiple times a day:
Age 6-12 weeks – 4 meals per day
Age 3-6 months – 3 meals per day
Age 6-12 months – 2 meals per day
Prepare Your Home
Creating a safe place for your new pup to roam will be an important part of helping him or her adjust to your place while you’re not around. Close doors to additional rooms and closets to keep them from causing problems or getting trapped while you’re away. If you plan to be gone for most of the day, try to schedule a time for a friend or family member to take your pet out for a bathroom break in the middle of the day. If this isn’t possible, be sure to set up an area in your home where your new pet can access a bathroom. Potty pads may be the best option for puppies while a doggy door would be ideal for older, bigger dogs.
4. Establish a Bathroom Routine
Because puppies don’t take kindly to wearing diapers, housetraining quickly becomes a high priority on most puppy owners’ list of must-learn tricks. According to the experts, your most potent allies in the quest to housetrain your puppy are patience, planning, and plenty of positive reinforcement. In addition, it’s probably not a bad idea to put a carpet-cleaning battle plan in place, because accidents will happen.
Until your puppy has had all of her vaccinations, you’ll want to find a place outdoors that’s inaccessible to other animals. This helps reduce the spread of viruses and disease. Make sure to give lots of positive reinforcement whenever your puppy manages to potty outside and, almost equally important, refrain from punishing her when she has accidents indoors.
Knowing when to take your puppy out is almost as important as giving her praise whenever she does eliminate outdoors. Here’s a list of the most common times to take your puppy out to potty.
When you wake up.
Right before bedtime.
Immediately after your puppy eats or drinks a lot of water.
When your puppy wakes up from a nap.
During and after physical activity.
5. Watch For Early Signs of Illness
For the first few months, puppies are more susceptible to sudden bouts of illnesses that can be serious if not caught in the early stages. If you observe any of the following symptoms in your puppy, it’s time to contact the vet.
Lack of appetite
Poor weight gain
Vomiting
Swollen of painful abdomen
Lethargy (tiredness)
Diarrhea
Difficulty breathing
Wheezing or coughing
Pale gums
Swollen, red eyes or eye discharge
Nasal discharge
Inability to pass urine or stool
6. Teach Obedience
By teaching your puppy good manners, you’ll set your puppy up for a life of positive social interaction. In addition, obedience training will help forge a stronger bond between you and your puppy.
Teaching your pup to obey commands such as sit, stay, down, and come will not only impress your friends, but these commands will help keep your dog safe and under control in any potentially hazardous situations. Many puppy owners find that obedience classes are a great way to train both owner and dog. Classes typically begin accepting puppies at age 4 to 6 months.
Tip: Keep it positive. Positive reinforcement, such as small treats, has been proven to be vastly more effective than punishment.
7. Be Sociable
Just like obedience training, proper socialization during puppyhood helps avoid behavioral problems down the road. At approximately 2 to 4 months of age, most puppies begin to accept other animals, people, places, and experiences. Socialization classes are an excellent way to rack up positive social experiences with your puppy. Just be sure to ask your vet about what kind of interaction is OK at this stage.
This article has been reviewed by a Veterinarian.
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