Pup Care Advice

dog on water

Buying a puppy and bringing them home is exciting and a bit daunting. Our guide to puppy care will help you give your puppy the best start in life, and avoid any potential problems later on.

Up to 8 weeks – before you bring your puppy home

Wherever your puppy came from the previous owner should have done a few things including:

  • organizing their first puppy vaccination
  • started toilet training
  • begun the puppies socialization – positively introducing new situations and people.

Before bringing them home you’ll need to prepare your puppies new home by:

  • Providing time and space for your puppy to play, and toys to keep them stimulated.
  • Providing a crate, hiding places, and/or cozy bed in a quiet, draft-free place where your puppy can rest undisturbed.
  • Taking a blanket from the puppy’s first home away with you for familiarity and comfort.
  • Removing anything poisonous or that you don’t want them chewing.

8-12 weeks – bringing your puppy home

This is an important time for your puppy, what they learn and experience now will shape future behavior. Your puppy isn’t fully vaccinated yet but it’s important to continue socialization by exposing your puppy positively to experiences like

  • Meeting other healthy fully vaccinated dogs and cats.
  • Carrying them around outside to introduce them to new people, sights, and sounds.
  • Gradually introducing them to the car, grooming, being handled, and having their ears, eyes, and other body parts checked
  • Begin to leave them alone for short periods to prevent separation-related behavior.
  • Establish a consistent routine and rules. Reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior.
  • Feed them the same puppy food as they had before and keep the same routine with small, regular meals.
  • Continuing puppy toilet training by rewarding them when they go outside.

12 weeks onwards – puppy training and socialization.

Your puppy can have their second vaccinations around now, also ask your vet about worming, flea treatment, and neutering.

  • Once your puppy is fully vaccinated, you can socialize them outside.
  • Good puppy classes are a great way to boost their confidence and learn basic training.
  • Knowing what your puppy likes (favorite food or toys) can motivate them during training.
  • Growing and learning are tiring so let them rest regularly and keep training sessions short and fun.
  • If your puppy’s crate trained let them use it as a safe haven.