The Best Things to Do When You Get a Puppy: A New Dog Parent's Guide

The Best Things to Do When You Get a Puppy: A New Dog Parent's Guide

Bringing a puppy into your life is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. Whether it's your first puppy or you're adding a new member to the family, there are several important things you need to do to ensure your puppy grows up healthy, happy, and well-behaved. The early days with your new pup are crucial for bonding, training, and setting the foundation for a lifetime of joy together.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on the best things to do when you get a puppy:

1. Prepare Your Home for the New Arrival

Before bringing your puppy home, make sure your space is puppy-proofed and ready for their arrival. Puppies are naturally curious and will explore every nook and cranny, so safety is essential.

• Set up a designated space for your puppy: Create a comfy area for your puppy to sleep, like a crate or dog bed, that’s safe and quiet.
• Puppy-proof your home: Remove potential hazards like electrical cords, sharp objects, or small items that can be chewed on or swallowed.
• Create a puppy-safe environment: Consider getting baby gates or pens to limit access to certain areas of the house, especially in the beginning.

2. Establish a Routine

Puppies thrive on routine. Setting a consistent schedule will help your puppy feel secure and understand what’s expected of them.

• Feeding times: Stick to regular meal times, typically 3–4 times a day for puppies (depending on their age and size).
• Sleep schedule: Puppies need a lot of rest to grow, so ensure they have quiet time for naps.
• Potty schedule: Take your puppy outside frequently—usually every 2–3 hours during the day, and once or twice at night. This helps prevent accidents and reinforces house training.

3. Visit the Vet for a Health Checkup

A vet visit is crucial when you first bring a puppy home. Not only do you want to ensure they’re healthy, but you also need to start them on a vaccination and preventative care schedule.

• First vet visit: Schedule an appointment within the first week to check for any health concerns, discuss vaccinations, deworming, and flea/tick prevention, and set up a spay/neuter plan.
• Create a pet health plan: Ask your vet about setting up a health plan for things like vaccinations, grooming, and nutrition tailored to your puppy’s breed and age.
• Microchipping: If your puppy isn’t already microchipped, this is a good time to get it done for their safety.

4. Socialize Your Puppy Early

Socialization is one of the most important things you can do for your puppy during the first few months of their life. Properly socialized puppies grow up to be more well-adjusted and less fearful of new experiences.

• Introduce your puppy to new environments: Start slowly exposing your puppy to different environments, people, and other dogs. Make sure these experiences are positive and non-threatening.
• Meet new people and animals: If possible, introduce your puppy to friendly and vaccinated dogs, as well as people of all ages, including kids and strangers.
• Puppy classes: Consider enrolling in a puppy socialization class. These classes provide safe, structured environments for puppies to interact with others and learn basic manners.

5. Start Basic Training Right Away

Training your puppy early on is key to raising a well-behaved dog. While your puppy may not have the attention span for long training sessions, starting simple training early will help them develop good habits and reduce behavioral issues later on.

• Potty training: Establish a consistent potty routine and praise your puppy for doing their business outside. Use a crate if needed to help with housebreaking.
• Basic commands: Teach simple commands like "sit," "stay," "come," and "leave it." Keep training sessions short and positive to keep your puppy engaged.
• Leash training: Introduce your puppy to a collar and leash early, and practice walking around your home or yard so they become accustomed to wearing them.

6. Provide Plenty of Chew Toys and Mental Stimulation

Puppies love to chew on things, and providing the right toys will help them stay occupied and save your furniture and shoes from destruction.

• Chew toys: Offer a variety of chew toys to keep your puppy engaged. Look for safe, durable options like rubber or nylon chews. Avoid small toys they could swallow.
• Puzzle toys: Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. Use treat-dispensing toys, snuffle mats, or puzzle feeders to challenge your puppy’s brain.
• Rotating toys: Rotate the toys every few days to keep things interesting and prevent boredom.

7. Create a Positive Relationship with Grooming

Grooming isn’t just about making your puppy look good—it’s also important for their health and comfort. Start grooming your puppy early so they become accustomed to the process.

• Baths: Introduce your puppy to baths gently using puppy-friendly shampoo. Make sure the water is lukewarm, and keep the experience positive with lots of praise and treats.
• Brushing: Get your puppy used to brushing to help with shedding and to keep their coat healthy. Depending on the breed, some puppies will require more regular brushing than others.
• Nail trimming: Introduce your puppy to nail trimming slowly. Start by gently touching their paws and gradually progress to clipping their nails. If you’re unsure how to trim nails, ask your vet or groomer for guidance.

8. Give Lots of Positive Reinforcement

Puppies learn through repetition and positive reinforcement. Reward them for good behavior to reinforce what you want them to do.

• Use treats: Small, tasty treats work best to reward positive behaviors. Be sure to use puppy-safe treats and avoid overfeeding.
• Praise and affection: Verbal praise, belly rubs, and playtime are also excellent rewards. Puppies love attention from their owners, so give them plenty of praise when they do something right.
• Consistency is key: Consistency in your rewards and commands will help your puppy understand what’s expected of them.

9. Start Teaching Bite Inhibition

Puppies often bite or nibble during play, but it’s important to teach them bite inhibition (the ability to control the force of their bites). This will help prevent any nipping or biting behaviors from becoming problematic later on.

• Redirect biting: If your puppy starts biting, gently redirect them to a chew toy. Praise them when they chew on the toy instead of your hands or clothing.
• Yelp and stop play: If your puppy bites too hard during play, let out a loud "yelp" or say "ouch" in a high-pitched voice. This mimics the sound other puppies make and can teach them to soften their bite.

10. Enjoy Playtime and Bonding

Your puppy is still learning about the world, and play is one of the best ways to bond and develop a strong relationship. Playtime provides not only physical exercise but also emotional connection and fun.

• Interactive play: Play fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek with your puppy. These games will help build a positive relationship between you and your pup.
• Supervised outdoor time: Take your puppy outside to explore. Short walks or visits to the yard will help burn off energy and expose them to new smells, sights, and sounds.
• Cuddle time: Don’t forget to snuggle and spend quality quiet time with your puppy. This helps build trust and reinforces the bond between you and your new companion.

Final Thoughts: The Joy of Raising a Puppy

Getting a puppy is an incredible experience, and these first steps will set the stage for a lifetime of love, companionship, and adventure. Be patient, consistent, and, most importantly, enjoy every moment with your new puppy. The bond you create in those early days will last a lifetime, and with the right care and attention, your puppy will grow into a happy, well-adjusted adult dog.

Happy puppy parenting! 🐾🎉

Make sure you check out the "New Puppy Doggy Box Of Goodies." Now available for purchase at doggyboxofgoodies.com.au