Remove breakable items from the area where you plan to keep your puppy. Keep all electrical cords raised or covered, and close all low windows. Lock away toxic cleaning supplies/chemicals. Get a trash can that is too tall for him to get into and too heavy to knock over, or store the trash can in a cabinet. Consider getting a folding gate or exercise pen to keep him confined to a certain room or area.

Remove breakable items from the area where you plan to keep your puppy. Keep all electrical cords raised or covered, and close all low windows. Lock away toxic cleaning supplies/chemicals. Get a trash can that is too tall for him to get into and too heavy to knock over, or store the trash can in a cabinet. Consider getting a folding gate or exercise pen to keep him confined to a certain room or area.

Consider “Bil-Jac” or “Zuke’s Mini Natural” treats. Look for treats about the size of a pencil eraser head. If your treats are larger, break them up into smaller pieces. Make sure you get a variety: crunchy and soft. The soft will be good for training, and the crunchy will help clean teeth.

Buy a puppy food with no dyes, artificial flavors, or preservatives, as many dogs are allergic to these additives. A raw or home-cooked meal is a serious commitment, as you will need to take extra steps to prepare the food and ensure your puppy’s nutritional needs are met. Discuss these options with the veterinarian first.

Pet your puppy and stroke down his legs, touch his paws, and his belly so he will be comfortable with this contact in the future when you need to have him groomed or clip his nails.

Many jurisdictions require you to get a dog license. It’s a good idea to get your puppy licensed even if it’s not required. Your puppy will need to have its rabies vaccination to receive his dog license.

Even if your puppy has a collar and tag, experts recommend that all pets have microchips that can’t be removed.

six – 12 weeks: three to four times daily 12 – 20 weeks: three times daily 20+ weeks: two times daily

It’s your job to notice any change in his behavior. Follow through with a call to your veterinarian, and take the proper steps to uncover the cause of the change.

To ensure good health, feed your dog food specifically designed for him. Ignore him completely while you’re eating at the table. Check with your veterinarian about “people” foods that are safe for dogs. These might include roasted chicken breast or fresh green beans. Foods high in fats can cause problems like pancreatitis in dogs.

Raisins Grapes Xylitol (a sweetener) Tea Alcohol Garlic Onions Avocados Salt Chocolate

Wash dirty bedding right away. House-train your puppy, and replace bedding ASAP if you find urine or feces. Get rid of harmful plants. There are many common plants that are toxic to puppies who like to chew. Keep lily of the valley, oleander, azalea, yew, foxglove, rhododendron, rhubarb, and shamrock far away from your puppy. Refer to this list from the ASPCA to learn more about which plants are safe for your home when you have pets: https://www. aspca. org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

While your puppy’s body is still developing, avoid rough play and strenuous exercise. Save long (over one mile) runs until he’s at least 9 months old. Give your puppy about an hour of walk-time a day, broken into two to four walks. Allow him to interact with other (friendly) dogs he meets. (Do this only once your puppy has finished his vaccination series).

Make sure to talk about deworming medication during your first vet visit. The veterinarian may recommend deworming for routine parasites like roundworms right away. Or, he or she may want to get a stool sample for fecal analysis to verify parasites before prescribing medication. Deworming is a good idea not only for your puppy’s health but also for your own. Many of the parasites that infect your puppy can be passed to humans and cause health problems in your family. After your first visit, return to the vet for a rabies vaccination when your puppy is 12 to 16 weeks old. Ask your veterinarian about the recommended (and legally required) rabies vaccination protocol for your area.

For instance, spay procedures are more complex and expensive for larger breeds. The vet may recommend spaying before she reaches 50 or 60 pounds if your dog is particularly large. Spay female dogs before their first heat cycle. This reduces the risk of pyometra, ovarian cancer, and mammary tumors. [10] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source

Brush all over the puppy, including his belly and hind legs. Start when your puppy is young so that he isn’t afraid of the brush. Start in short lessons, using treats and toys. Brush him for only a few minutes at a time at first to avoid overwhelming him. Do not brush the face and legs with instruments that may cause pain.

Brush all over the puppy, including his belly and hind legs. Start when your puppy is young so that he isn’t afraid of the brush. Start in short lessons, using treats and toys. Brush him for only a few minutes at a time at first to avoid overwhelming him. Do not brush the face and legs with instruments that may cause pain.

Nails that are too long can cause strain to your dog’s wrists, as well as damage floors, furniture, and possibly people. Plan to trim your puppy’s nails every two to four weeks unless directed otherwise by your vet. Use treats and praise, and start with only trimming a few at a time to avoid overwhelming him.

Remember that a puppy has a tiny bladder and may need to go outside as frequently as every 30 minutes. Confine the puppy with the newspapers or training pads in the exercise pen when unsupervised. Don’t let him wander the house. If you are not playing with him, place him in his crate or exercise pen, or tether him to your belt or sitting area. Pay attention to cues that he needs to eliminate and take him outside immediately. Take him to the same spot each time. Praise (and treat) him immediately for using the outdoors!

Teach your dog to come. Teach your dog to sit. Teach your dog to lie down.

Make sure your dog is secured in the car. Consider a dog car seat, safety harness, barrier, or crate to avoid accidents and keep your dog safe. [13] X Research source Remember to never leave your dog in the car on cold or warm days. The temperature inside a car can rise rapidly on warm or hot days, endangering your dog’s life. On an 85°F (29. 4°C) day, the temperature inside a car can rise to 102°F (39°C) within 10 minutes, even with the windows cracked. If it is too cold outside, dogs can freeze when left in the car.