Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting experience, and while it is packed full of a huge range of emotions – from pure happiness to unconditional love – there is no doubt it can also be a daunting task at times. Making your new puppy part of the family is one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have as you start your journey together. With so much information out there, it is good to know the basics, and what to expect when you bring your bundle of joy home. Our guide to puppy care has been designed to help you give your puppy the best start in life.
Adopt or buy?
One of the first big decisions you’ll make when bringing a dog into your life is whether you want to buy, or adopt. Both options have their pros and cons, and it is important to consider what is best for you and what you want your experience to be.
If you make the decision to buy, you will be able to see the puppy’s biological parents and the environment they grew up in. You will most likely be offered genetic information on your puppy informing you of any hereditary diseases of which you should be aware. Another advantage is that your puppy will have already started the socialization process and developed some social skills.
Buying also means you are able to select the breed which matches you and your circumstances. Some breeds of dog are more independent, some are more active, some are more passive – each breed comes with its own set of particular traits which are important to investigate so you can understand how they will fit with you and your lifestyle.
If you choose to adopt a puppy, this also comes with its advantages. Firstly, and possibly most importantly, you are giving the puppy a chance it might not have had otherwise. Secondly, adopting a dog is generally a less expensive route than going through a breeder, and most shelters ask that you simply pay adoption fees to cover feeding, sterilization, chipping, and vaccination. If you choose to get a dog from a shelter, they are usually up to date on all their shots and vaccinations.
Weigh up the pros and cons of both routes, and decide what it best for you and your lifestyle – no matter which path you choose, you’ll be rewarded with a new member of the family and you will start on an exciting journey together.
Before you bring your puppy home
Even before your latest family member makes their first appearance in your home, planning and preparation can give you a head start on your first day together. Once you and your family have established that you want a dog, have a meeting (or a few!) to make sure that you’ll all be on the same page. Decide:
- Who’s in charge of feeding
- Who’s going to be taking pupper for walks
- Who’s in charge of backyard and toilet training
- The vocabulary you’ll use a family to train your dog
If you have kids, then set expectations for your first day to make sure they don’t overwhelm the new arrival.
Prep your house to be puppy-proof: make sure household chemicals are out of reach, that cables are tied and taped to boards, and remove rugs and plants.
Prep your puppy’s bed or crate, and buy any supplies you need, like food and water bowls, collar, lead, and name tag. Make a list so you can double check you’ve got everything you need.
It is paramount that you find a vet who you feel comfortable with and you’ll be happy to work with. You’ll also need to look into the shots and vaccines that your puppy needs to have in order to prevent certain diseases and help to protect your pet.
Vaccination plan
It is important to talk to your vet about your puppy’s vaccination plan. Puppies can be vaccinated from around 6 weeks of age, but most people get their puppy later than that, so talking to your vet is key when deciding on a vaccination plan. Your vet will meet your new puppy to give them a general check-up and decide on timings for vaccination. Shots are generally given in a course of two injections, separated by a couple of weeks or more.
You should be aware that your puppy will need vaccinations for:
- Canine distemper
- Infectious hepatitis
- Canine parvovirosis
- Leptospirosis
- Kennel cough
- Rabies
Be sure to consult your vet on the vaccinations your puppy needs. Immunity is essential for a healthy, happy animal.
Immunity usually takes a few days to develop after vaccination, and your vet will advise you when it is safe for your puppy to interact with other immunized dogs.
Your vet will give you a vaccination certificate which you will need to keep to show your puppy is up-to-date with all their shots.
Your puppy’s arrival
The first thing you should do when bringing your puppy into your new home is to show them where their toilet area is. Start your new schedule off on the right foot and get into a routine of feeding, napping, toilet training, and of course, playing! Your pup will also need alone time – don’t be afraid to leave them for short periods and don’t give in to the whimpers. Pup needs space, and you need to prepare them for when they’ll be without you!
Toilet training
House training requires consistency. It allows you to create a close bond with your new puppy, but you’ll have to be patient over this process. It can take up to 4-6 months for a new pup to be properly housebroken. Some puppies take longer than this – of course, every animal is different.
Once your puppy is over 12 weeks old, it is time to start house training them. Experts recommend your puppy starting when they are between 12-16 weeks old. Start the training by keeping the puppy confined to a smaller area, like their crate, or a room. You can give your puppy more freedom as they learn not to do their business inside.
It’s important to establish feeding times, and once a schedule has been put in place, take your puppy’s food away between meals.
Training starts first thing in the morning, when you should take your puppy outside, then again at regular intervals (30-60 minutes). Take your puppy outside again after a nap, and after meals. Take them out again before bedtime, and if you are planning to leave them alone for a period.
When you take your puppy out to do their business, take them to the same spot every time. This will be familiar to them and will encourage them to do as nature wills! You should stay with your puppy while you’re house training them, and praise them when they eliminate outside.
Watch for signs that your puppy needs to go:
- Whining
- Barking
- Sniffing or scratching at the door
- Circling
Accidents are bound to happen along the way – it’s part of the process! Don’t lose your temper at your puppy if they do have an accident in the house. Just continue with your routine and keep it consistent.
Training your puppy: socialising and getting the basics
Puppies who are well-socialised will generally be enjoyable pets, as they are likely to be more relaxed and are less likely to be afraid of other humans or animals. Dogs who are not socialised properly may react with fear or aggression in certain situations, so it’s important to get your puppy socialised so they can live a more peaceful, happy life.
Puppies tend to be more open and accepting to new things when they are between 3 and 12 weeks old. Once they reach 12 weeks, they become more cautious of new experiences and people. After 18 weeks pass, socialisation becomes much more difficult. When socialising your new puppy, you need to be exposing them to situations, sounds, objects, animals and people who you would like them to be comfortable with, like a crying baby, or traffic. It’s hard (if not impossible) to expose your dog to every possible sound and situation, but the more bases you can cover, the better.
Even though it’s important to socialise your puppy, and in their first few weeks, they’re more accepting of new experiences, they might still be frightened in certain situations or when confronted with new things. If you notice that they’re scared, take baby steps and reward them through praise and treats. A good idea is to attend puppy socialisation classes to learn new techniques and for you and your new puppy to learn together in a safe environment.
While your puppy is still young and learning, it is normal that they do things which frustrate you, but try not to lose your temper. Getting angry with your puppy won’t teach them anything other than stress and anxiety, so learn to control your anger and don’t hit your puppy – physical punishment actually increases the likelihood of aggression in dogs. Some discipline tactics you can use include:
- Encourage and reinforce positive behavior
- Be consistent in your training and techniques
- Use techniques such as distraction and redirection
- Use time-outs effectively
- Ignore bad behaviors so your puppy learns that it is good behavior which is rewarded
- Use reward-based training