How To Look After Your Puppy From Day 1

If you have a puppy, you’ll appreciate just how much care and attention they require. If this is your first puppy and you’re a little unsure how to look after it, don’t worry. Just like a human baby, they require nurturing, affection and a certain amount of discipline to grow into happy and healthy dogs. 

In this article we’ve compiled a vital list of advice on caring for your puppy from day one. From around 6-8 weeks through to 6 months, puppies will do a lot of growing and will develop habits. Right now is the most crucial time in your puppies life, so it’s important to get it right first time. In this guide you’ll learn how to feed your puppy, how to train, and how to deal with any illnesses.

Make sure you have a great vet nearby should your puppy/dog need anything. There will definitely be a moment when you’ll need swift dog pain relief for your canine best friend. And he will be, your best friend.

First things first: feeding your puppy.

 

Puppies will grow very fast and consequently have very high calorie requirements. At first they should be fed regularly three times every day. Once they have reached around 12 weeks, you can consider reducing their intake to just two meals a day. 

At mealtimes you can leave the food dish on the floor for about 15 minutes. Pick a spot that you’re happy with and stick with it. If the puppy has not finished eating within that 15 minutes, remove the bowl. This teaches your puppy that this is the time for meals and does not encourage them to pick and choose. 

You have to: train your puppy. 

Puppies will learn a lot of lifelong habits during their first few months. It’s important to train them from a very early age about going to the toilet, sitting, waiting and walking. It’s considered acceptable to start training your puppy from around 6 weeks old. It’s also a good idea to introduce him/her to other puppies and dogs, this will get them used to being around other dogs so you’ll have fewer troubles as your puppy gets older. 

Be vigilant with: toilet training.

Just like a baby, you have to be persistent. Over the first years of their lives, puppies will gradually learn to control their bladder. If, for some reason, you are delaying ‘potty training’, it will take them a lot longer to learn. 

Understand that puppies may soil themselves whilst they’re sleeping, if this occurs do not shout or smack. Simply place them in the area where they are allowed to go to the toilet. For instance, by placing a newspaper by the door and taking your puppy there every time they lose bladder control will teach them that this is where they need to be. 

Remember to always praise your puppy whenever they do something right or well. Never discourage or shout if it isn’t necessary, this will establish trust and a strong relationship.

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