How to care for a puppy: A new owner’s guide

Adding a puppy to the family can often be like one of those Pinterest fails. Your head is filled with all the adorable scenes of puppy kisses and playing fetch at the park, but the reality is consumed by countless hours of house training your dog and teaching them how to walk on a leash.

While puppies may be a lot of work, your commitment to developing a good routine will give you a loyal companion for years. When preparing to bring a puppy home, be sure to set up a good support team that includes both a knowledgeable veterinarian and a reliable pet sitter, as life so often goes off course from our best laid plans. As for the rest, this guide to taking care of a puppy will help you get your home and family ready for your new puppy.

What supplies do you need for a new puppy?

The aisles of your nearest pet store are filled to the brim with products you may or may not need. As a vet told us: Just because a dog food company made it doesn’t mean it’s good for your dog. Sadly, some companies put the idea of making money before the wellness of their consumers. Do your research, talk to your veterinarian and invest in these helpful products:

• Metal food and water bowls.
• Sturdy leash and nylon collar.
• Identification tags for the collar.
• A crate pillow or snuggle nest.
• Small puppy treats.
• High-quality dog food designed for puppies. (Know your dog’s weight before shopping.)
• A bristle comb.
• Non-toxic dog shampoo.

What to do when you bring your new puppy home

Bringing a puppy home is an exciting time, especially for a family with children. As new owners, we must remember that this is a big life change for all participants — animal and human. This puppy will be in a new environment with new sounds, smells, and a brand new family to meet.

Use a leash for safety

When first introduced to its new home, place your new puppy on a leash and allow it to roam its new environment under your control. You want it to feel comfortable, but a free-roaming puppy will often have accidents if left on its own for too long. When providing exercise, be sure to keep your puppy on a short leash by your side. Do not allow the puppy to pull and lead you.

When expecting visitors, keep your puppy on a leash to greet the visitor at the door, do not allow them to jump, and provide positive reinforcement by allowing your visitor to give a treat for a proper greeting. Like children, puppies love and respond well to frequent positive reinforcement.

Consider crate training

While most new owners may feel a dog crate is isolating and cold, crate training is actually the easiest way to establish good sleep habits and bathroom routines. It also prevents them from getting into trouble while you’re sleeping, which keeps both them and your belongings safe. A veterinarian told us that puppies don’t view their crate as a place of isolation but rather as a safe place, as we often feel in our own bedrooms.

Make a plan for obedience training and socialization

A puppy requires a lot of training. When your puppy’s about 4 to 6 months old, look into obedience school and ways to socialize your pup. Teaching your dog to follow commands will ensure you can keep it safe, and teaching a puppy to socialize around 12 weeks will make for an easier lifestyle.

The general rule of thumb is to take a puppy outside as many hours as their age plus one hour, so a 2-month-old puppy needs to go out every three hours.

How do you house train a puppy?

Like a newborn baby, a puppy will give you countless hours of joy while zapping all your free time (and some hours of sleep) in the first few weeks home. House training takes a lot of commitment, but once a good routine is established, you can resume normal living.

House training a puppy begins with a good routine, patience, and positive reinforcement.

1. Take your puppy outside to the same spots at the same time each day

Be mindful to plan for the following times:

• Right when you wake up.
• Before bed.
• Immediately after eating.
• Following each nap.
• During and after physical exercise.

The general rule of thumb is to take a puppy outside as many hours as their age plus one hour, so a 2-month-old puppy needs to go out every three hours.

2. Puppy proof your home

Puppies love to explore new places, so do your new furry friend and yourself a favor and spend the time on some preventative puppy proofing to keep all your favorite things intact.

• Keep electrical cords covered.
• Tie up window cords and curtains.
• Put toxic cleaning supplies/chemicals out of reach.
• Invest in a tall, heavy trash can with a lid.
• Use baby gates to block dangerous areas.
• Invest in appropriate toys that belong solely to your puppy.
• Don’t allow dogs to chew on old toys, shoes, etc. This could start bad habits!
  

3. Establish routines early

Don’t let your puppy get away with things just because they’re small and cute. If you don’t want to a 60-pound snoring dog in your bed, then don’t allow them to sleep there as a puppy. Establish your routines early, because breaking bad habits is infinitely harder.

What is the proper feeding schedule for a puppy?

Feed your puppy multiple times a day according to its age:

• 8-12 weeks: 4 meals per day.
• 3-6 months: 3 meals per day.
• 6-12 months: 2 meals per day.

Note: Small or toy breed dogs may require more frequent feedings, about every two to three hours to avoid a drop in their blood sugar.

What is the best dog food for a puppy?

Feeding your puppy high quality food is a key competent to keeping your fur baby healthy. If you are unsure of which brand to pick, speak to your veterinarian to see what they recommend. in general:

• Choose a brand and stick with it. Switching brands can upset your little one’s tummy.
• Buy food formulated for puppies. Puppies need different nutrients than an adult dog to keep up with their rapid growth spurts.
• Always keep water available. Unlike food, water doesn’t need to be limited.

Between the hours of training, puppies must be fed frequently, walked often to burn off that puppy energy, and constantly praised for positive behavior.

What foods aren’t safe for puppies?

Have you ever heard the phrase “puppy dog eyes” — those sweet little eyes that beg you to give into their every desire? While they are hard to resist, owners should avoid feeding scraps from the table to encourage proper eating habits and for the dog’s own safety.

When it comes to table scraps, the following food items are an absolute no for dogs, as they present a risk to your dog’s health:

• Chocolate.
• Grapes and raisins.
• Chicken bones.
• Raw meat or fish.
• Sugar or sugar alternatives, such as Xylitol.
• High-fat foods, such as bacon or nuts.
• Dairy products.
• Caffeine.
• Alcohol.

How do you know if you’re ready for a puppy?

Owning a puppy requires a great deal of patience, flexibility, and more often than not, the loss of at least one pair of your favorite footwear. While most negative behaviors can be eliminated by proper training, the job of pet owner is not with pitfalls.

For the first few months, their every need comes before your own. Between the hours of training, they must be fed frequently, walked often to burn off that puppy energy, and constantly praised for positive behavior. If you live alone, this kind of dependency may be just what you’re looking for, but if you’re busy with kids or work or other life obligations, think carefully about whether your family is ready for the commitment.

The bills and expense that come along with your newfound love could be surprising. In addition to basic necessities, vet bills can quickly pile up in a dog’s first year of life as you get early check-ups, vaccinations, and have your puppy fixed.

One way to save is by adopting a dog from your nearest pet shelter. In addition to puppies, there are also plenty of older dogs looking to be adopted. Rescue one and give them a forever home.

*Original article written by Christina Mckeeby.