How to Raise a Puppy: Guide for the First Year

Congratulations! You've just adopted an adorable new puppy! Now, the work begins. You need to know how to give your new fur baby a great in life, and the first year is very important for setting them on the right path. Here are a few tips from our Fairhaven vets on how to care for your puppy throughout their first year.

Before Your Bring Your Pup Home

There is truly an art to raising a puppy, and the process begins the moment you decide to bring home a new friend, but before it gets there. Before you have the dog, it is important to puppy-proof your home, make sure you know what diet you plan to have it on, and make sure you have ample toys and activities to keep the puppy engaged. It would also be wise to pre-book your pup's first vet appointment, so you can have it checked out as soon as possible.

Puppy-Proofing Your Home

No matter how hard you try, it is virtually impossible to provide your curious, energetic pup with around-the-clock supervision. To minimize the trouble your puppy can get into when you aren't around, you should puppy-proof your home before their homecoming. Secure electrical cords and move potentially toxic plants or substances, such as cleaning supplies and insecticides, out of reach.

It's a good idea to crawl through your home to get a puppy's-eye view of their surroundings. Remove anything they might be tempted to chew or swallow, and close off vents, pet doors, or any other openings that might allow them to become lost or stuck. Not only will this help keep them safe, but it will also ease your anxiety that your new pup is lost.

You'll need to be ready to start house training your pup as soon as you bring them home. If you plan to crate train them, have your crate ready to go. Make it comfortable by lining it with blankets or a dog bed, but make sure it's large enough that they'll have plenty of room to stand up, turn around and lie down. Slowly introduce them to the crate by leaving the door open and letting them explore it on their own. You can help tempt them to go in by throwing in a toy or using treats. The more comfortable they are with going into the crate, the easier it will be on both of you during training.

Puppy Diet

Puppies have different nutrient and energy needs than matured dogs. Look for some high-quality puppy food that is specially formulated to support puppy development and growth. The proper quantity of food depends on factors like age, size, and breed. It's a good idea to consult your veterinarian about how much and how often to feed your pup.

For some small breeds, it can be best to free-feed young pups to ensure they receive adequate nutrition. Toy and small breed dogs reach physical maturity faster than larger breeds and can be switched over to adult dog food and adult-sized portions between nine and 12 months of age.

Larger breeds can take a full two years to reach physical maturity and have different nutritional needs than small breeds. They should be fed puppy food specifically formulated for large breeds. Talk to your vet about the best time to switch your growing large breed dog to adult food. They should also be fed multiple meals each day with controlled portions to prevent complications, such as stomach bloat.

When your pup is six to 12 weeks old, a good feeding structure would dictate they are fed four times a day. At three to six months, three meals a day should be provided. After six months and on, as your pup matures and grows into an adult dog, two meals a day will suffice.

Caring For Your New Puppy at Each Stage

Bringing home a new puppy is an absolute joy, but make no mistake about it, adopting a puppy also means taking on lots of new responsibilities. To help you understand what to expect each step of the way, and what you will need to take care of, below our vets provide you with a stage by stage list of guidelines.

Birth to Eight Weeks - Preparing To Bring Your New Puppy Home

Depending on where your new puppy is coming from, and how old your pup will be when they join your household, the first three steps may be taken by the breeder, adoption agency or by you.

• Between the ages of six to eight weeks your puppy should receive their first round of vaccinations.
• Early stage toilet training should begin
• Begin early socialization by introducing your puppy to new people and dogs that you know have been fully vaccinated

Before you bring your puppy home here are a few things you need to do to prepare for your new four-legged family member.

• Create a dedicated space in your home that is just for your puppy with a comfy bed and puppy safe toys. The area should be protected from drafts but somewhere not too isolated. You will likely want to purchase an appropriately sized crate to keep your puppy when you aren't able to supervise, or indoor fencing to create a small pen for your pup.
• Purchase puppy safe soft toys and chew toys. Be sure to choose items that are a good size for your new fur-baby. Do not give large breed puppies toys that are designed for small or toy breeds as these can pose a choking hazard for your puppy.
• Puppy proof your home! Remove all plants that are poisonous to pets, clean up children's toys and store them out of your puppy's reach, and ensure that all chemicals (such as cleaning solutions) are stored safely out of your puppy's reach. 
• Choose a veterinarian that is close to your home and offers all the services you puppy will need to stay healthy throughout their lifetime. Be sure to check the veterinary clinic's opening hours to see if they are convenient for  you.
• Enrol your fur-baby in puppy classes. Classes operated by reputable trainers can fill up fast, particularly in busy urban areas, so sign up early to guarantee getting a spot for your pooch.

Eight to 12 Weeks - Welcoming Your Puppy Into Your Home

Is there anything more exciting than bringing your new puppy home? No doubt you will be smitten by your delightful puppy's unique personality, but it's important to remember that what they learn in these early days will have a huge impact on their future behavior. 

• When you pick up your new puppy ask if you can have a blanket, toy or other fabric that was used by your puppy's mother, siblings or human caregiver to help your puppy feel more comfortable in their new home.
• Keep in mind that until your puppy receives all 4 rounds of vaccinations and booster shots. If your puppy hasn't had their first round of vaccinations and parasite prevention yet, booking your puppy's first vet appointment should be your number one priority.
• Socialization at this stage is essential for building your puppy's social skills and confidence. Have friends and family stop by to meet your puppy and continue to introduce your new fur-baby to other pets that you know are fully vaccinated.
• Introduce new experiences gradually such as grooming, having their ears or feet touched, and being carried or held by family members.
• When out in public, carry your puppy until they are fully vaccinated. Some highly contagious, potentially life threatening conditions can be contracted through even very brief contact with an infected dog's urine or feces. 
• Establish routines at home for feeding times, play times and bedtime. Also begin setting rules by positively reinforcing good behavior and when safe ignoring bad behavior. Positive reinforcement will help you puppy to learn acceptable behavior quickly and help you to form a deep and lasting bond with your pet.
• Choose a reputable, nutritious food for your puppy and stick to it. Changing foods frequently can lead to tummy trouble for your pup and some very messy accidents. Begin with the food being used by your breeder, then gradually introduce the new food a little at a time in order to avoid GI issues.
• Begin to leave you puppy alone for short periods of time then gradually increase the time as your puppy becomes comfortable with being alone.
• Continue toilet training, be sure to always use positive reinforcement to encourage appropriate toileting habits.

12 Weeks to Six Months - Puppy Training

These weeks are often considered to be the most fun and the most challenging as your puppy begins to have fun and explore their world. Remember that positive reinforcement is best.

• Once your pup is fully vaccinated it's time to head out and explore the neighborhood with on-leash walks, stopping to say hi to new people and other dogs along the way.
• Begin puppy training classes to establish good obedience and on-leash behaviors.
• Get some good insight into your puppy's likes and dislikes so that you can utilize their favorite toys and activities as part of positive reinforcement during training.
• Don't be alarmed if your puppy sleeps more than you had expected. Puppies are growing and learning fast which means they need a lot of sleep to keep up with this learning curve.

Six Months to Adulthood - Ongoing Training, Parasite Prevention & Reproductive Surgery

Your puppy may be getting much closer to adult size but remember their brains and personality development are still in the early stages.

• Speak to your vet about when you should have your dog spayed or neutered. Recommended ages vary widely these days, your vet is in the best position to give you advice that applies to your pet's size, breed and lifestyle.
• Now that your dog is out exploring more of the world and meeting other dogs parasite prevention becomes increasingly important. Speak to your vet to learn about parasites in your neighborhood and how to protect your pet.
• Continue to attend obedience classes and work on your puppy's on-lease walking skills.
• Gradually switch to a high-quality adult dog food. Speak to your vet for advice on which brands or foods would be best for your dog based on their size, breed and lifestyle.

The Bottom Line

How you care for your puppy during their first 6 months of life will have a profound impact on your lifelong relationship with each other. Positive reinforcement, quality time spent together playing and training, plus taking care of your puppy's healthcare requirements will help to build a fabulous relationship that you will both treasure. Have fun!

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.