Bringing a new puppy home is both exciting and a big responsibility for pet parents. As a new pet parent, you may wonder how to take care of a puppy since they are as fragile as a newborn human baby. So, it’s important to know your puppy’s needs and the developmental milestones they should achieve each week.

And whether it’s your first puppy, or you have taken care of one in the past, it’s always a good idea to refresh your memory. This guide will cover everything from how to find the right puppy, puppy supplies, preparing your home, pet insurance, vaccine schedules, a healthy puppy diet, and potty-training tips. Or you can jump to the puppy care basics checklist at the end for a quick overview of what you will need.

How to Find the Right Puppy?

Once you have made up your mind to take care of a puppy, the next step is to find the best match. Sometimes, it’s easy to find your desired puppy, but other times, it can be an uphill task to find the one that suits your needs. Next, decide whether you want a purebred or a mixed-breed dog. If you prefer predictability over surprises, we suggest getting a purebred dog, as mixed-breed dogs may have a mix of different traits.

Next, analyze your lifestyle and activity level. If you go on hikes often, an energetic dog with a strong build, like a Siberian Husky, would be the right choice. Similarly, a short-legged breed like a dachshund wouldn’t be the smartest choice for this scenario. If you enjoy staying at home and have young kids, a calm-natured dog like a Golden Retriever or a Poodle would be ideal.

Finally, decide whether you want a rescue dog or one from a breeder. Rescue dogs may need extra patience and care as they adjust to the new environment. Alternatively, adopting from a responsible breeder or reputable pet store means receiving a puppy with a well-documented health and background history, making it easier to provide proper care.

How to Take Care of a Puppy?

1. Gather Essential Supplies

Before you start taking care of a puppy, it’s essential to stock up on supplies. Must-have items include an adjustable no-pull collar, an ID tag, a leash, a harness, and a crate. While some of these items, like the collar, may last longer, they will eventually need to be replaced as your puppy grows into an adult dog.

If you’ve purchased a larger crate for future use, use dividers to adjust the space inside and make it suitable for your puppy. Don’t hesitate to invest in plenty of chew toys to keep your puppy entertained and help with teething. However, as your puppy grows, these toys will need to be replaced, as an adult dog’s stronger teeth can easily destroy them.

You’ll also need food and water bowls and poop bags, as maintaining proper hygiene is vital from day one.

2. Prepare Your Home

Along with gathering essential supplies, preparing your home for a new puppy is as important. Puppies are naturally curious and love to sniff around and explore, but their curiosity can sometimes lead them into dangerous situations. The first step is to puppy-proof your home. Remove any live wires, cables, breakable items, chemicals, and toxic plants to ensure your puppy’s safety. If you have carpets, vacuum them regularly to remove small objects that your puppy could choke on.

Store valuable items out of your puppy’s reach, preferably on higher shelves, and use sturdy metal hardware or locks for cupboards and drawers, as standard baby-proofing latches may not withstand a determined puppy. Install puppy gates, especially in the kitchen, to keep your puppy away from hazards like trash, which can contain dangerous items.

3. Give Your Puppy a Nice Name

Welcoming your new furry family member into your home includes giving them a nice name. However, picking a name for your puppy is not as easy as it sounds. It’s a fun yet careful task that might require a lot of Googling. As you will be using it for the rest of your dog’s life, pick a name that’s easy to pronounce, memorize, and resonates with their personality.

Consider choosing a name that ends with a vowel, as dogs rely on sounds to understand what we are saying. Make sure the name doesn’t sound like a command and is distinct from the words you plan to teach your puppy.

A lengthy name might draw odd glances from fellow dog walkers at the park, so keeping it short is a good idea. Once you have picked a name, use it often to help your dog become familiar with it.

4. Get Pet Insurance and Vaccinate

Looking after a puppy also includes regular vet visits and following through with the puppy vaccination schedules. Once the maternal antibodies fade, puppies need vaccines to prevent them from certain diseases.

Dogs are at a much higher risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases, some of which can be fatal and even spread to humans. So, it’s important not to miss any vaccine on the schedule to keep your pup in top health. The vet will examine your dog’s body including the mouth, nose, ears, and coat. They will monitor your dog’s growth and check if your puppy’s health needs attention.

On your first vet visit, it’s a good idea to sign up for pet insurance to reduce future vet bills, including medical emergencies. Pet insurance policies often reimburse up to 100% of medical bills, minus deductibles. Also, if there is an undiagnosed condition, getting pet insurance early on will help you cover that, too.

5. Spaying and Neutering

Once your puppy is six months old, take him to the vet for spaying if it’s a female puppy and neutering if it’s a male. This procedure will prevent any unintended pregnancies and protect your pup from testicular tumors, uterine infections, and breast cancers.

Because of these procedures, your pet may feel overwhelmed or scared. You may want to use an inflatable collar to prevent your puppy from licking the affected area. In such situations, your responsibility is to give your puppy a warm cuddle, some dog treats, and chew toys to ease the tension. Since puppies are highly sensitive to your emotions, staying calm and composed yourself will help reassure them.

6. Give Your Puppy Healthy Food and Regular Exercise

Take care of your puppy with healthy, and nutrient-dense food. A diet that contains the right balance of nutrients will go a long way in shaping your dog’s immunity and health in the future. However, before settling down on a diet, talk to your vet first. Also, avoid giving your pup adult dog food or human food as this can cause stomach upset.

Puppies take some time before adjusting to a new food so it’s a good idea to show patience and not be too quick at switching foods. Switching food too quickly can turn your puppy into a picky big dog in the future.

Besides diet, exercise is important, too. Once your puppy is fully vaccinated, take him out on regular walks and offer lots of playtime. This will increase its stamina, strengthen muscles, and promote bone development.

7. Connect With Your Puppy

You form an instant connection with your puppy the moment you bring them home. Besides cuddles, you can solidify this beautiful bond by offering playtime, training, exercise, grooming, and working on dog socialization skills. Include attractive chew toys to make playtime more fun.

You can also enroll your puppy in an obedience class where he will learn basic commands and socialization skills. Or you can involve your dog in dog sports to teach him agility and freestyle moves.

8. Start Socialization and Leash Training

A well-socialized puppy grows up to be a well-behaved dog who can keep his cool during stressful situations. Start taking your puppy on walks and let him observe the environment and interact with other dog friends. Although socialization helps most in the first year of a puppy’s life, the period between 3 to 14 weeks is when puppies learn most.

With socialization, it’s a good idea to start focusing on leash training once your puppy is 2 to 3 months old. A no-pull leash by Pet Safe works best for puppies who are starting to learn leash training. Start the training at home. Make your puppy familiar with the light leash on his neck while he wanders in the house. Call out his name and reward him with praises and treats when he responds.

Once your puppy is house-trained, take him out on walks and train in the park. Also, keep the training sessions short and match them with your pup’s pace. These are some of the ways you can ace leash training your puppy.

9. Work on Potty Training

One of the most important parts of puppy care is potty training. Yes, the puppies can use diapers in early stages for a short period but try to train them to go outside as soon as possible. If you are using diapers, change them every 2 to 4 hours, as wearing them for longer durations can cause irritation.

Create a designated “potty spot” and take your puppy there to relieve themselves right after eating or drinking. However, mistakes and accidents will happen but hang in there your smart puppy will soon get the hang of it.

Maintain Routine Pet Care

Welcoming a new puppy home is both fun and a big responsibility. Bathe your pup regularly, to keep germs away. If it’s summer and your puppy has gotten a flea and tick infestation, consider getting a flea and tick collar to get rid of these pesky insects. Brush your dog’s fur and trim it when the coat grows thick. Also, cut your dog’s nails regularly as bacteria can build up under long nails very fast.

Part of routine pet care also involves visiting vet regularly to monitor your dog’s growth curve. An annual pet wellness exam includes a physical examination and a discussion about your pet’s diet, exercise, and behavior.

Puppy Care Basics Checklist

If you want a quick overview of how to take care of a puppy for beginners, take a look at this must-have puppy care basics checklist:

• Dog crate
• Collar
• Leash
• ID tags
• Dog food bowl
• Dog toys
• Poop bags
• Dog treats
• Grooming kit

Puppy Care FAQs

Should I Ignore a Puppy Crying at Night?

No, you should not ignore a puppy crying at night as it can lead to anxiety and damage your bond with them. Puppies cry at night for various reasons, including the need to go pee/poo or feed. When your puppy cries out of discomfort, give them lots of cuddles and make them comfortable.  

How Long Do Puppies Sleep?

Puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep each day to grow and function properly, as they are developing quickly at this stage. A good amount of sleep is also important for a puppy’s mental health.

How Many Times Should a Puppy Eat a Day?

Once a puppy is weaned from the mother’s milk, it should eat three meals a day until around six months of age. After that, you can reduce the frequency to two meals a day.