How to Take Care of a Puppy

Welcome to the world of puppy parenthood. Is it exciting? You bet. Are there frustrations on the horizon? Of course. No matter what the future holds, your life will never be the same. Get ready for all of the running, jumping, licking, and unconditional love you can handle. You’re in for quite a ride. To make this transition into puppy parenthood a little smoother, we’ve come up with an expert guide to how to take care of a puppy.

How much to feed a puppy

Puppies are a lot like human babies: eating, sleeping, playing and pooping their way through the day. That first one (eating) is a pretty important part of healthy puppy development and you’ll need to know exactly how much of which food they should be consuming each day. For starters, puppies eat often and a lot. Their growing bodies require more energy to get through the day, and more sleep to boot.

How much:

Between 8-12 weeks: about 4 meals a day.
From 3-6 months: 3 times a day.
After 6 months: move toward feeding them twice a day to develop a regular schedule.

What to feed: Puppies require a specific nutrient profile compared to adult dogs, so be sure the food you purchase is formulated for puppies (it should be prominently displayed on the label). Make sure to feed your new pup a high-quality food that provides them with the appropriate nutrition and is free from excessive fillers like corn, wheat, and soy.

The first item on the ingredients list should be the meat designated by the label and it should be followed by other healthy foods including whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Their food should also be free of any artificial dyes, flavors, or preservatives, as they are harmful to puppies and dogs alike. Look for a statement from AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) as another sign of a properly balanced feed.

Puppy socialization

Socialization is one of the best ways to ensure you raise a happy, healthy, well-behaved dog. Canines are pack animals and typically thrive when exposed to other people and dogs on a regular basis. Some dogs are naturally nervous but social anxiety, aggression, possessiveness, and other neuroses can often be avoided with proper socialization and stimulation.

Puppies, like most young animals (humans too), are naturally accepting of things that they encounter in the earliest stages of life. After a certain age they become wary of new and unusual things. This is nature’s way of protecting them, helping to discern what should be looked at more closely to determine whether or not it’s a threat.

Between 4-12 weeks you’ll want to expose your puppy to as much of the outside world as possible (without putting them at risk).

This means avoiding areas where they could get sick but still exposing them to the sights and sounds of dogs and people in your neighborhood, as well as cars and traffic on the street. Little walks go a long way when they’re young. When they’re more comfortable with this strange new world you can start with the more serious socialization.

How it’s done:

Start slow – You don’t want to throw your puppy into the hustle and bustle of the local dog park quite yet. Find a friend with a similarly sized, well-behaved dog and meet outside your house on leashes before making your way to the back yard. As long as the dogs are getting along they can be let off leash and allowed to get to know one another in their own way.

Avoid letting your puppy overwhelm the other dog with their excitement. Also, be sure the other dog is healthy and is up to date with their vaccines before you allow them into your home.

2. Make it regular – The interaction outlined above is a great way to get your dog warmed up to that particular dog and their owner, but it’s important to repeat this as many times as possible. After a certain point your puppy will begin to welcome the company of virtually all dogs and people.

3. Take it public – After your pup has been properly vaccinated (more on that to come), you’ll be able to take them to the local dog park. Keep them close and be calm rather than overbearing and nervous. Other dogs will sense your discomfort and it will make them uneasy. Start with a few minutes at the slowest time of day and work your way up to a busier park as the puppy grows older and more comfortable.

4. Keep them safe – While your dog may be trained, behave your commands, and be well socialized, other dogs in the park or on the street may not be. Alway use your better judgement and keep your puppy from interacting with any dog that is aggressive, overly playful, and those much smaller or larger in size than your puppy.

Proper socialization depends on positive interactions with other dogs and people. Avoiding negative interactions (especially as puppies) is just as important as providing them with positive situations.

Puppy Grooming

When it comes to taking care of your puppy, keep them happy and healthy with proper grooming. Here are a few ways to ensure your puppy is always looking and feeling their best.

Regular bathing – Your pup’s breed and activity level will determine how often you need to bathe them, but keep them clean with a high-quality shampoo. Avoid over-bathing which can lead to skin irritation.
Nail trimming – unless your puppy is lucky enough to wear down their nails naturally, they’ll need to have them trimmed regularly. Be sure not to cut too much, as the inner quick of the dog’s nail is very sensitive and will bleed if you cut too far back. Too little is better than too much in this case.
Teeth brushing – Oral care is of the utmost importance. Start brushing your pup’s teeth early on and they’ll get used to the activity with a little practice. For more on brushing your dog’s teeth, read our recent post.
Ear cleaning – Be sure to clean their ears on a regular basis to avoid infection and other problems. Use cotton balls and dog-approved ear cleaning solution. Do not use Q-Tips.

Puppy Vaccinations

Puppies are vulnerable to a myriad of diseases due to their undeveloped immune systems. Proper care of a puppy includes starting inoculations at a young age. Dog vaccinations are administered on a schedule that has been determined most effective for protecting against disease, while keeping your new friend safe in the process. Your vet can help you decide on the perfect plan for your pup, but we’ve provided a sample schedule so you can get a feel for what’s to come.

5 weeks Parvovirus	Some puppies may need to be immunized against parvo as early as 5 weeks according to their exposure risk. Check with your vet.
6 & 9 weeks DHHP Combination Vaccine* Coronavirus	A combination vaccine that is usually given without leptospirosis at this stage in a puppy’s life. Only administered if coronavirus is a local concern.
12+ weeks Rabies	Age for rabies vaccination may vary depending on local law.
12, 16, & 20 weeks DHHP Combination Vaccine* Coronavirus Leptospirosis Lyme	A combination vaccine administered along with vaccines for coronavirus, leptospirosis, and lyme disease (if living in or traveling to an area where these are a concern).

For more complete information on vaccinating your puppy check out our recent article – Dog Vaccinations: What You Need to Know.

Puppy Training

Much like socialization, training works better at a young age when puppies are most receptive. You’ll have to decide on the level of training you want to conduct with your puppy. If you’re looking for a service animal, you’ll be working with your puppy very closely for quite some time. If you just want them to mind your simple commands, it will require less time and effort.

The simple “sit, stay, come” routine is a good place to start with puppies. They are often eager to please at this age and your praise is a strong reinforcement to their good behavior. You’ll also want to work on potty training after your puppy reaches about 12 weeks of age. Lucky for you, we just happen to have a great post on “How to Potty Train Your Puppy”.

As you’ll soon learn (if you haven’t already), every puppy is different. That means they require a unique way to feed them, socialize them, and train them to become the adult dog you want. This is what being a puppy parent is all about. The unique relationship you’ll form is one of the best parts of this incredible journey you’ve just embarked on.

Trust that you’re doing a great job taking care of your puppy, even when your new little friend has chewed up a shoe, knocked over the trash, and peed at the foot of your bed. It’s all part of raising a puppy and, while it may be tough at times, it’s so worth it! Ask your vet for help along the way and be sure to contact them if you notice anything strange or out of the ordinary in the way your puppy looks or acts. Moreover, have fun and enjoy this time, puppyhood will be over before you know it. We hope this has answered your question on how to take care of a puppy, if you need any more information on caring for your new pet please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.