Puppy Guide: What To Know About Raising A Puppy

Raising a puppy is a big responsibility that requires a lot of care, attention, and patience. If you’re thinking about getting a puppy, it’s essential you know the basics of puppy care.  

We will discuss everything you need to know about raising a puppy, from choosing the right breed, preparing your home, feeding and training your new puppy. 

Different breeds have varying temperaments, activity levels, and exercise requirements so it’s essential you pick a breed that suits your lifestyle.  

If you’re looking for a family pet, some of the best breeds are Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Beagles. If you want a more active companion, consider breeds like the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie or a Jack Russell Terrier. These breeds have high energy levels and require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation but make fantastic family pets. 

If you want more information on dog breeds for your family have a look at Top 10 Best Family Dog Breeds  

Preparing Your Home 

Puppies are curious and adventurous creatures so it’s essential to make sure your home is safe and secure. Before bringing your puppy home, consider the following: 

1. Puppy proofing: Puppies love to explore, and they tend to put everything in their mouths. Make sure you remove any hazardous objects, such as electrical cords, cleaning supplies and anything sharp. 
2. Setting boundaries: Puppies need to have a designated space for sleeping, playing and eating. You can use baby gates or crates to establish boundaries and create a safe space for your puppy. 
3. Stock up on supplies: Make sure you have all the essential puppy supplies you need such as a bed, toys, food, and water bowls, a leash and a collar or harness. 

Feeding Your Puppy 

Puppies need a balanced diet that provides all the essential nutrients they need for growth and development. Good quality puppy food should have the right balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Avoid feeding table scraps and any human food because it can upset their sensitive stomachs. 

Puppies should be fed several small meals a day, as their stomachs are small and cannot hold a lot of food. It’s important to monitor them and adjust their food intake based on age and weight. Obesity is a common problem in dogs and can lead to health issues like joint problems, diabetes, and heart disease. 

Puppies have unique nutritional requirements, and it’s essential to feed them a balanced diet. Here are some tips to keep in mind when feeding your puppy: 

1.  Choose a high-quality puppy food: Look for puppy food that contains high quality protein and is formulated to meet all the nutritional needs of your puppy. 
2. Feed your puppy on a schedule: Puppies need to eat small and frequent meals throughout the day. Establish a good feeding schedule and stick to it. 
3. Avoid feeding your puppy human food: Puppies have sensitive stomachs, and feeding them human food can cause digestive issues, upset tummies, and other health problems. 
4. Provide plenty of water: Make sure your puppy has access to fresh, clean water at all times. 

Socialisation and training your puppy 

Socialisation and training are crucial for a puppy’s development. During the socialisation period, which is between 3 and 14 weeks of age, puppies learn to interact with other animals and people. They become familiar with different sights, sounds, and smells, which helps them adjust to new situations as they grow older. 

Positive reinforcement training is the most effective way to train a puppy. It involves rewarding good behaviour and ignoring or redirecting bad behaviour. Punishing your puppy can be counterproductive and cause behavioural issues. 

Training is an essential part of raising a puppy, and it’s important to start early. Here are some tips for effective puppy training:  

1. Start with basic commands: Begin with basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” Use positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, to encourage good behaviour. 
2. Socialise your puppy: Socialisation is critical to a puppy’s development. Introduce your puppy to new people, pets, and environments to help them become more comfortable and confident. 
3. Be patient and consistent: Training a puppy takes time and patience. Stay consistent with your training methods and be patient with your puppy. 
4. Seek professional help: If you’re having trouble with training, consider hiring a professional dog trainer or attending puppy classes. 

Healthcare for your puppy 

Regular healthcare is essential for your puppy’s overall wellbeing. Here are some healthcare tips to keep in mind: 

1. Schedule regular vet visits: Puppies need to see the vet regularly for vaccinations, checkups, and other healthcare needs. 
2. Parasite prevention: Keep up with parasite prevention appropriate for your puppies age so that they stay protected against fleas, ticks and worms. 
3. Grooming your puppy: Regular grooming is important for your puppy’s health and hygiene. Brush your puppy’s coat regularly to remove loose fur and prevent matting. Bathe your puppy as needed, but not too frequently, as this can strip the natural oils from their coat. Trim your puppy’s nails regularly to prevent them from becoming overgrown and clean their ears to prevent infections. 
4. Brushing your puppy’s teeth: Almost 80% of dogs form some form of dental disease by the time they are 3 years old. Starting an early dental routine for your puppy is important to keep their teeth healthy, clean and free of decay. 

Exercise for your puppy 

Puppies need regular exercise to maintain healthy weight, burn off excess energy, and stimulate their minds. Depending on the breed, puppies require different levels of exercise. Some breeds, like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds, are high energy and require a lot of exercise, while others, like Bulldogs and Pugs, are low energy and don’t need as much exercise.  

Before starting an exercise routine, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian to ensure your puppy is healthy for enough physical activity and depending on the breed of your puppy overexertion can lead to injuries or joint problems, this is especially important for large breed puppies. 

Final tip

Raising a puppy can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it also requires a lot of work and responsibility. By providing your puppy with proper care, training, and socialisation, you can help them grow into a happy and healthy adult dog. Remember to be patient, consistent, and loving with your puppy, and they will be loyal companions for years to come. 

If you are unsure what to feed your puppy, we offer a wide range of vet-recommended pet food and products for your puppies and dogs for all ages at Your PetPA online store and don’t miss the opportunity of 10% discount on all purchases with Thriving Pets+  members. 

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