Bringing a puppy into your home is exciting and rewarding, but carries significant responsibilities. The first year of your puppy’s life is an important developmental stage that shapes their health, happiness, behavior, and overall well-being. Our State Ave Veterinary Clinic team helps you navigate your puppy’s critical first year to ensure they start life on the right paw.

Preparing your home for a puppy

Bringing home a puppy is like bringing home a small child and you must take several health and safety precautions. Like a toddler, your curious puppy will want to explore and likely chew on everything.  Prepare for your new pet with these requirements:

  • Puppy proofing — Before bringing your puppy home, create a safe living space such as a crate or a gated small room. Remove any hazardous items, secure loose wires, and move small objects that a pup could swallow or knock with their tail out of reach. Set up this designated puppy area with the necessary supplies so the puppy will feel safe and secure.
  • Puppy supplies — Your new furry friend will need the following supplies: 
    • Crate
    • Soft, comfortable, appropriately sized bed
    • Food and water bowls
    • Puppy food 
    • Collar, leash, and harness
    • Toys
    • Dental chews 
    • Small treats for training
    • Waste disposal bags

Puppy nutrition

Proper nutrition is vital for your puppy’s growth and development. Consult with our veterinarian on the diet type and amount of food they will need during their first year according to their pace of growth, exercise requirements, and caloric intake to prevent obesity. Avoid adult dog food, table scraps, or toxic foods that could be harmful. Puppies have sensitive stomachs, and once their diet is formulated, changes can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Never change their diet without our veterinarian’s direction. 

Puppy training and socialization

Begin training your puppy as soon as they come home. Focus on basic commands such as “Sit,” “Stay,” “Come,” and “Leave it.” Consistency and positive reinforcement are key to successful training. Once your furry friend is fully vaccinated, group classes can be beneficial, because they offer training and socialization in a controlled setting. The classes also expose your puppy to other pets and their owners, who likely come in all sizes, appearances, and behaviors, such as tall, short, male, female, beards, no hair, loud-voiced, which can be a part of your pet’s socialization.

House training is challenging but crucial. Establish a routine for frequent bathroom breaks and reward your puppy for going outside. Consider crate-training while house-training your puppy to avoid accidents and help them form a positive association with their own space.

Puppy grooming and hygiene

Bathe your puppy as needed using a gentle puppy shampoo. Avoid over-bathing as it can dry out their skin. Regular brushing helps keep your puppy’s coat healthy and reduces shedding. The frequency of brushing depends on the breed. Trim your puppy’s nails as needed, and clean their ears frequently with a pet-safe ear cleaning solution. Brush your pup regularly—the frequency will depend on the breed—to keep their coat healthy and to reduce shedding. Start a toothbrushing routine at home with pet-safe toothbrush and toothpaste—never human products—to get your pup used to the routine, which is necessary for preventing painful periodontal disease down the road.

Puppy exercise and play 

Puppies have a lot of energy and need regular physical and mental exercise. Regular, daily, short walks in varied environments and playtime in a secure home area will help keep them healthy, happy, and out of mischief. Engage your puppy’s mind with puzzle toys, training sessions, and interactive games. Mental stimulation is as essential as physical exercise for all pets, including puppies. Their exercise requirements will change as they grow, and our veterinarian can advise you on that.

Puppy wellness visits 

Soon after you bring your pup home, schedule a wellness visit with our veterinary team. This will involve a complete physical exam, their first vaccinations, deworming, parasite prevention, and perhaps blood tests, measurements, and X-rays. These will establish their “normal,” which will provide a comparison at later wellness screenings, and help our veterinary team see changes and diagnose problems when they can be treated early and have the best prognosis Our veterinarian will formulate a vaccination schedule and parasite prevention plan crucial for your puppy.

Puppy-human bonding

Any special friendship develops over time. When your puppy ages, typically around 3 to 4 months old, they are better equipped to learn and maintain focus. To encourage a stronger bond, our team recommends:

  • Spending quality time together — Spend as much time as possible with your puppy playing, cuddling, and training them, and Involve them in family activities so they quickly feel part of the family.
  • Providing consistency and routine — Puppies thrive on routine, which helps them feel safe and secure. Be consistent in the amount they are fed and the time they are fed, routine training sessions, walks, and bedtime, so they know what to expect.
  • Handling often — Regular handling, such as cuddles, grooming, toothbrushing, and play sessions will increase their confidence and sense of security, knowing they can trust you. Regular handling will also help them accept handling by our veterinary team.

Your puppy’s first year is a time of laughter, mystery, and rapid development. Proper care, training, and socialization can set the foundation for a well-adjusted and healthy adult dog. Patience, love, and consistency are your best tools for raising a happy and well-behaved puppy. Enjoy the journey and the special bond that will grow between you and your furry friend.

Schedule your puppy’s first wellness visit with our State Ave Veterinary Clinic team soon. We look forward to meeting them!