10 tips for puppy care
Bringing a puppy into your life is an exciting, life-changing experience! The first few months of your puppy’s life are the most critical in shaping their health and behavior. Whether you're a first-time puppy parent or a seasoned pro, it’s essential to understand the basics of puppy care to ensure your new best friend grows up to be happy, healthy, and well-adjusted.
Here is our guide for puppy care that will help you get off on the right paw:
1. The Importance of Proper Nutrition
A balanced diet is the foundation for a puppy’s growth and development. Puppies need a diet that is specifically designed for their life stage, as they require more calories, proteins, and fats and different mineral ratios than adult dogs. Look for high-quality puppy food that is labeled as "complete and balanced" and tailored to their expected size (eg. large/giant breed dogs should be fed a puppy food for large breed puppies). Overfeeding can lead to obesity or to orthopedic issues in large breed dogs, whereas underfeeding can cause stunted growth. Our favourite source of evidence-based veterinary nutritional information for pet owners can be found here.
2. Vaccination Schedule
Vaccinations are one of the most important ways to set your puppy up for a healthy life. They help protect your puppy from infectious diseases like Distemper, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, and Rabies - all of which have been diagnosed in dogs on Vancouver Island. Puppies typically receive their first vaccinations around 6–8 weeks of age and will need booster shots every 3–4 weeks until they’re about 16 weeks old. Be sure to follow your vet’s schedule closely and don't skip any vaccines.
3. Parasite Prevention
Parasites like fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites can cause serious health issues, so prevention is key. Your veterinarian will recommend the best parasite prevention plan for your puppy based on their age, lifestyle, and environment. Puppies commonly become infected with intestinal parasites from their mother through the placenta and/or from nursing. Fleas can be a problem year-round in the Greater Victoria Region, and ticks are active at temperatures above 4 degrees Celsius!
4. Socialization and Training
Puppies are like little sponges, absorbing everything around them. Proper socialization is essential during the first few months to ensure they grow up to be well-adjusted adults. It is important to expose your puppy to different people, places, sounds, textures, noises, and other pets (in a safe, positive, and controlled way) during their critical socialization period, which is 3-14 weeks of age for most breeds. This is the window of age that they are most accepting, less cautious, and very curious about their environment. Puppy classes are an excellent way to help your pup learn basic commands while meeting other puppies in a controlled environment. Early socialization can prevent behavioral problems like fear aggression later on.
Training your puppy early is also key. Positive reinforcement methods work best. Reward your puppy with treats, praise, and toys when they do something right. It’s easier to teach them good habits from the start than to correct bad ones later. Start with simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” and gradually build on them. Training your pup to have a consistent recall could save their life one day!
5. Cooperative Care Training
Training a puppy to accept touch and grooming is an important part of their care routine. Regular brushing helps prevent matting, reduces shedding, and keeps their coat and skin healthy. Depending on your puppy’s breed, grooming needs will vary. Some dogs need frequent baths and haircuts, while others may only need occasional brushing. Make sure to trim your puppy’s nails regularly (at least once a month), as overgrown nails can cause pain and discomfort. If you need help learning how to safely trim nails, we are here to help!
Brushing teeth is an effective and inexpensive way to ensure great oral health. This is not a skill to rush; care should be taken to slowly train your dog to tolerate this experience in a positive way. Here is an excellent guideline for tooth brushing.
Short and positive training sessions focused on rewarding handling of their ears, paws, and mouth will set your pup up for a healthier life!
6. Veterinary Checkups
Regular veterinary checkups are crucial to monitor your puppy’s growth and development. These visits are a good time to address any concerns, discuss their diet, and get advice on behavior. Your vet will also examine your pup for early signs of health issues and catch potential problems before they become serious. Schedule a wellness checkup within the first week of bringing your puppy home and continue regular visits to match their vaccination schedule.
7. Teething and Chewing
Teething can be a tough time for puppies and their people, as sharp baby teeth start to fall out, and adult teeth erupt. During this phase, puppies will often chew on anything they can find to relieve the discomfort. Provide them with appropriate chew toys to keep their teeth healthy and avoid destructive chewing. If you catch them chewing on something they shouldn’t, redirect them to a safe toy and praise them when they make the switch.
Puppy are especially fragile and prone to breaking. Avoid giving any dog at any age the following hard things to chew: any natural bone, nylon or hard plastic toys, antlers, large raw-hide bones, dried cow hooves, Bully Sticks, and ice cubes. All of these things can and will break important teeth.
8. Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Puppies have a lot of energy! Regular exercise is important for physical development, but mental stimulation is equally essential. Take your puppy on short walks and engage them in activities like fetch or hide-and-seek. Puzzle toys and training games can help tire them out mentally. However, be mindful not to over-exercise your puppy, especially in the first few months, as their bones and joints are still developing.
9. Create a Safe Environment
Your home should be a safe place for your puppy to explore. Puppy-proof your house by removing hazards like electrical cords, plants, sharp objects, and small items they could swallow. Also, make sure you have a secure yard with a fence tall enough to prevent escapes, as puppies can be quite the little adventurers.
10. Love and Patience
Last but certainly not least, remember that raising a puppy is a journey that requires patience, consistency, and understanding. Your puppy will make mistakes, but with consistent care, they will learn and grow into a wonderful companion. Celebrate their milestones, whether it's learning a new trick or simply becoming more confident in their surroundings.
Puppyhood goes by fast, so be sure to enjoy every moment. With the right care, your puppy will thrive and bring joy to your life for many years to come. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian with any questions or concerns. We’re here to help guide you every step of the way as you raise your happy, healthy pup!