How to Raise a Puppy

Make sure the puppy is suitable for you. Does its coat match the climate where you live? Is its size appropriate for your home? Can you provide enough activity for its energy levels? Carefully considering these factors will ensure your puppy enjoys a happy life, which in turn will positively affect your family's happiness.

Prepare your home to be safe for your puppy. Puppies love to explore everything. To ensure the safety of both your puppy and your home, you need to take a few precautionary measures.

• Remove all fragile items from the area where you plan to keep the puppy.
• Place all electrical cords out of reach or cover them, and secure all low windows.
• Store cleaning products/chemicals in a safe place.
• Get a high trash can that your puppy can't reach, and make sure it's heavy enough to prevent tipping over.
• Consider buying a folding gate or pen to keep the puppy confined to a certain area in your home.

Set up a space for your puppy. The kitchen or bathroom is ideal for the puppy's bed during the day, as these rooms are usually warm and easy to clean. At night, you should let your puppy sleep in a crate placed in your bedroom. This way, you can hear them throughout the night and know when they need to go outside for a bathroom break.

Buy two stainless steel bowls (rust-resistant) – one for food and one for water. Stainless steel bowls are better than glass because they don't break and are easier to clean. If you have other pets, make sure each one has their own food and water bowls to avoid conflicts. During mealtime, separate them to prevent food fights and ensure each pet gets enough nutrition.

Prepare a bed for your puppy. You can use a cushioned crate, a pet bed, or a wicker basket lined with towels. Whatever you choose, make sure the puppy's bed is soft, comfortable, and dry. Keep a blanket handy for colder weather. To prevent conflicts, it's a good idea to provide each pet with their own bed.

Provide your puppy with plenty of toys. Your puppy is like a little ball of endless energy, so make sure to provide them with a variety of toys, including soft ones and chewable items. The toys should be durable enough to prevent choking hazards. Avoid giving your puppy food made from dried animal hides – reserve those for treats.

Choose the right tasty treats for your puppy. The treats you choose should be healthy, small, easy to chew or swallow. The purpose of the treat is to quickly communicate to your puppy that it has done something good, but you likely don't want to wait for your puppy to finish eating before continuing training.

• Try using reward treats like “Bil Jac,” “Zuke’s Mini Natural,” and “Greenies.”
• Make sure to select a variety: both crunchy and soft treats. Soft treats are great for training, while crunchy ones help clean your puppy's teeth.

Purchase high-quality food for your puppy. Dry food, canned food, homemade meals, and fresh food can all be good options, but it’s important to consult your vet about each type. When you first bring your puppy home, ask the seller or animal rescue group about the food it's been eating. You can continue feeding your puppy the same food for the first few weeks, and if you plan to switch, do so gradually over the course of a week. Sudden changes to their diet can cause your puppy to vomit or have diarrhea.

• Buy food that doesn't contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, as many dogs are allergic to these additives.

Buy basic grooming tools. Every dog owner should have at least a brush, comb, rubber gloves, nail clippers, dog shampoo, coat conditioner, toothpaste, and towels. Grooming isn’t just about making your puppy look good; it’s also about keeping them healthy and happy.

Purchase nylon leashes, collars (made from nylon or leather), and ID tags. A collar that’s the wrong size can cause discomfort and damage to your puppy's throat. Remember to measure the size of the leash and collar as your puppy grows.

Make your puppy feel at ease in your home. Your new puppy might feel frightened when it first arrives in your home. Be sure to provide extra affection and attention in the early days. Gently leash your puppy and take it around the house and yard. You don’t have to introduce every part of the home right away, but showing it the areas it will frequent is a good start.

• Don’t let your puppy roam freely, as accidents will happen.
• At night, have your puppy sleep in a crate in your room so it doesn’t feel isolated or lonely.

Pet your puppy regularly. It’s important to pet your puppy’s body, legs, and head every day. This not only makes your puppy feel loved but also strengthens the bond between you and your furry friend.

Lift your puppy carefully. Puppies are as fragile as babies. When you want to pick up your puppy, gently lift it in your arms, always supporting its chest with one hand.

Protect your puppy. Puppies are naturally curious, and no matter how cautious you are, sometimes they manage to slip out of the yard and wander off. Make sure your puppy wears a comfortable, adjustable collar with an ID tag containing your contact information. The tag should include the puppy’s name, your address, and phone number.

• In many places, you are required to have a certificate for your puppy. It’s a good idea to obtain one even if it’s not required.
• Your puppy must be vaccinated against rabies in order to receive the certificate.

Microchip your puppy. A microchip is a tiny device, about the size of a grain of rice, implanted under your puppy's skin between the shoulders. You can register the microchip with your contact details when your vet implants it. If your puppy gets lost, the microchip can be scanned by the vet or an animal rescue group, who will contact you to reunite you with your puppy.

• Although your puppy will have a collar and ID tag, experts still recommend microchipping all pets.

Provide your puppy with a safe play area. A yard with a secure fence is the best option. Experiment with different toys to see which ones your puppy enjoys the most. If indoors, you can use a playpen to give your puppy its own little 'playground.'

Select the right food for your puppy. While cheaper options might tempt you, they aren't the best choice for your furry friend. Look for foods that contain high-quality proteins such as fish, chicken, lamb, beef, and/or eggs. Consult your vet about the best food choices for your puppy. If you plan to change your puppy’s diet, do it gradually to avoid upsetting its stomach.

Feed your puppy properly. Give your puppy several small meals throughout the day with food specially designed for puppies. The amount of food per meal depends on the breed and size of your puppy; check the recommended serving size for the breed you have. Start with the smallest recommended amount for its breed, age, and size, and increase it if you notice your puppy is too skinny, or as advised by your vet. The number of feedings per day depends on your puppy’s age:

• 6-12 weeks: 3 to 4 times per day
• 12-20 weeks: 3 times per day
• Over 20 weeks: 2 times per day

Follow specific feeding guidelines for small and toy breeds. Very small breeds (such as Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, etc.) can be prone to hypoglycemia. These puppies often need to eat throughout the day (or every 2-3 hours) until they reach 6 months of age to prevent their blood sugar from dropping too low, which can cause lethargy, confusion, or even seizures.

Avoid free feeding. Scheduled feeding helps train your puppy to go to the bathroom in the right place and prevents overeating. Additionally, your puppy will begin to associate favorite things, like food, with the people in your home. Limit your puppy’s mealtime to about 20 minutes.

Observe your puppy while eating. Watching your puppy eat is an effective way to assess its health. If your puppy suddenly seems uninterested in food, take note. This behavior may simply be due to a change in taste, but it could also indicate a health issue.

• Your task is to be vigilant about any changes in your puppy's behavior. Call the vet and take the necessary steps to identify the cause of this change.

Avoid giving your dog human food scraps. While it may seem tempting to share your meal with your dog, remember that human food can lead to dog obesity. Besides the health risks, feeding your dog this way can create a habit of begging, one of the hardest habits to break.

• To ensure your puppy's health, feed it specially designed dog food.
• Ignore your puppy while you're eating.
• Check with the vet about human foods that are safe for dogs. These may include fried chicken breast or beans.
• Fatty foods can lead to health issues such as pancreatitis in dogs.

Protect your dog from toxic foods. Dogs' bodies differ greatly from humans'. Some foods that are safe for us can be toxic to dogs. Here are some examples of such foods:

• Grapefruit
• Raisins
• Tea
• Alcohol
• Garlic
• Onion
• Avocados
• Salt
• Chocolate
• If your dog consumes any of these, call the Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 (if you're in the U.S.) and your vet immediately.

Provide fresh water at all times. Unlike food, you should always have a full bowl of fresh water available for your dog. Be mindful that your puppy will need to relieve itself after drinking a lot of water. Take your dog outside to avoid accidents indoors.

Maintain a safe environment for your puppy. A dirty and unsafe environment can harm your dog's overall health and lead to expensive vet bills.

• Immediately wash dirty bedding. Train your puppy to use the bathroom in the right place and replace their bedding if it gets soiled with urine or feces.
• Remove toxic plants. Many common plants are harmful to puppies because they tend to chew on things. Keep your puppy away from plants like lily of the valley, oleander, azaleas, yew, foxglove, rhubarb, and clover.

Ensure your puppy gets plenty of exercise. Different breeds require different amounts of exercise. (This is an important factor when choosing a puppy.) Take your puppy for a walk around the yard or garden after meals to explore and exercise. Start walking your puppy outside once your vet approves its safety. It's normal for puppies to have bursts of energy after a long nap.

• Although your puppy's body is still growing, avoid rough play and heavy exercises. Wait until your puppy is about 9 months old before introducing long runs (around 1.5 km).
• Give your puppy about one hour of walking daily, split into 2–4 sessions. Allow your puppy to interact with other (friendly) dogs it meets. (Only after your puppy has received all required vaccinations.)

Socialize your puppy. The socialization period for puppies is from 7 to 16 weeks old. It’s important to consider enrolling your puppy in a "puppy kindergarten" to help it get used to other dogs before this period ends. At these classes, puppies play safely under supervision and are vaccinated. Most puppies complete their Distemper/Parvo vaccinations before 16 weeks of age.

Choose a vet if you haven’t already. Ask friends for recommendations. Once you have a few options, visit several clinics to see which one feels best for you. Choose a friendly, well-organized clinic with no unpleasant odors. Ask the vet and staff questions—they will answer to the best of their ability. Make sure you feel comfortable with the vet you choose.

Vaccinate your puppy. When your puppy is 6-9 weeks old, take it to the vet to begin vaccinations. Discuss diseases like distemper, parainfluenza, canine hepatitis, and parvovirus with the vet. The vet may also recommend additional vaccines depending on your dog's risk and your location.

• Remember to talk to your vet about deworming your puppy during its first visit. The vet may recommend routine deworming for parasites like roundworms right then. Alternatively, the vet may take a stool sample to identify parasites before prescribing medication.
• Deworming your puppy is beneficial not only for its health but also for yours. Many of the parasites found in dogs can be transmitted to humans and cause health problems for your entire family.

Return for rabies vaccination. After the first check-up, bring your dog back to the clinic for a rabies vaccine when your puppy reaches 12-16 weeks old. Ask the veterinarian for advice (and the legal requirements) on rabies vaccination in your area.

Spaying or neutering your dog. Discuss with your veterinarian the timing for the surgery. Typically, it is recommended to wait until after vaccinations, but other considerations may apply.

• For example, spaying or neutering larger dog breeds may be more complex and costly. Your veterinarian may suggest doing the procedure before your dog reaches 22-27 kg if it is a particularly large breed.
• Spaying female dogs before their first heat cycle can reduce the risk of pyometra, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer.

Make the clinic visit fun. Bring tasty treats and toys when visiting the veterinarian to help your puppy associate the experience with something positive (or at least bearable). Before the first visit, get your puppy used to touch around its legs, tail, and face. This way, your puppy will feel more comfortable when the vet examines it.

Keep an eye on your puppy's health. Observe your puppy closely to detect any early signs of illness. Its eyes should be clear, and there should be no discharge from its nose. The fur should be clean and shiny; watch out for tangled or sparse fur. Check for lumps, infections, or rashes on the skin, as well as signs of diarrhea around the tail area.

Daily brushing for your dog. Brushing helps keep your puppy clean and healthy, while also allowing you to check for skin or coat issues. The tools needed for brushing and cleaning vary depending on the dog's breed. Consult a veterinarian, a dog caregiver, or a breeder for more information.

• Brush the entire coat of your dog, including its belly and hind legs.
• Start early when your puppy is young to prevent it from fearing brushing sessions.
• Begin slowly, using rewards and toys. At first, only brush for a few minutes at a time to avoid overwhelming your puppy.
• Avoid brushing your dog's face and legs with tools that may cause pain.

Trimming your puppy's nails. Have a veterinarian or dog caregiver show you the proper nail trimming technique. Incorrect trimming can harm your dog if you cut into the tissue beneath the nail, especially if your puppy has dark nails that make it hard to see the sensitive area.

• Overgrown nails can strain the dog's ankles, damage floors and furniture, and even cause injury to people.
• Trim your puppy's nails weekly unless otherwise advised by a vet.
• Use treats as rewards and praise your dog. Start by trimming a little at a time so your puppy doesn't get scared.

Keep your puppy's teeth and gums clean. Chew toys help keep your puppy's teeth healthy. Toothbrush and toothpaste designed for dogs are essential to ensure your dog's teeth stay clean and strong. Gradually introduce tooth brushing to your dog, making it a positive experience. Don't forget to reward and praise your dog!

Only bathe your puppy when necessary. Overbathing can dry out your dog's skin and strip essential oils from its fur. Gradually get your dog accustomed to water and the bathing routine. As always, reward and praise your puppy afterwards.

Training your dog to use the bathroom in the right place. Start this process from the moment you bring your puppy home. The longer you delay, the more you'll have to clean up, and your puppy will become harder to train. Consider using a training pad in the first few days. While this can't replace taking your dog outside, it can be helpful during the transition. You should also consider this method if your home doesn't have a backyard.

• Keep the dog in a fenced area with a newspaper or training pad when you can't supervise.
• Don't let the puppy wander around the house. If you're not playing with the dog, place it in a crate or fenced area, or tether it to a play zone.
• Watch for signs that your puppy needs to go and take it outside immediately. Always take the dog to the same spot.
• Praise (and reward) your puppy as soon as it goes potty outside!

Consider training your puppy to stay in a crate. Crate training offers many benefits. First, it limits destructive behavior, allows you to sleep, and lets you leave the puppy alone without worry. Second, it is an effective method for teaching potty training (if used properly).

Teach your dog basic commands. A well-behaved dog is a joy to have at home. Teaching your puppy good habits early on sets a strong foundation. This way, both you and your pup will enjoy a better relationship. It's always easier to teach good habits than to break bad ones.

• Teach your dog to come.
• Teach your dog to sit.
• Teach your dog to lie down.

Help your puppy get used to riding in the car. Take your puppy on regular car rides so it can get used to traveling with you. Without this, your puppy might feel anxious during car rides. If your puppy experiences car sickness, ask your vet about anti-nausea medication. This will make the trip more comfortable for both you and your puppy.

Enroll your puppy in obedience classes. This will obviously help you train your puppy more effectively. Additionally, it’s a great opportunity for your puppy to socialize with other dogs and learn how to behave around unfamiliar people and animals.