The New Owner’s Guide: Essential Puppy Care Tips 🐾

Congratulations! Bringing a puppy home is the start of a wonderful adventure filled with unconditional love. However, the first few months are critical for their development.

We have prepared this quick guide to help you raise a healthy, happy, and well-balanced puppy.

1. Nutrition: The Foundation of Growth

Puppies have nutritional needs that are very different from adult dogs. They grow rapidly and require high energy fuel.

• The Right Food: Choose a high-quality food (Premium or Super Premium) specifically labeled “Junior” or “Puppy”. These contain the correct balance of protein, fats, and calcium.

• Feeding Schedule: Until the age of 6 months, puppies should eat 3-4 times a day. Small, frequent meals help with digestion and energy levels.

• Fresh Water: Ensure your puppy always has access to a bowl of fresh, clean water.

• Foods to Avoid: Never give your puppy chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, or cooked bird bones (which can splinter).

Pro Tip: Do not change their food brand abruptly. If you want to switch to a different diet, do it gradually over 7 days by mixing the old food with the new one to avoid an upset stomach.

2. Health & The Vet

Your first trip should be to the veterinarian for a general check-up.

• Vaccination Schedule: It is vital to strictly follow the vaccination schedule. This usually starts at 6 weeks and continues every 2-3 weeks until full immunization.

• Deworming:

  • Internal: To eliminate intestinal worms that can stunt growth.

  • External: To prevent fleas and ticks (ask your vet for age-safe products).

• Microchipping: This is often a legal requirement and is essential for identifying your dog if they ever get lost.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Until the vaccination scheme is complete (usually around 3–3.5 months old), do not take the puppy out in public spaces or let them interact with unvaccinated dogs. The risk of Parvovirus is real and dangerous.

3. Hygiene & Grooming

Get your puppy used to grooming routines while they are young to avoid struggles when they are fully grown.

• Brushing: Regardless of coat length, weekly brushing removes dead hair, keeps the coat shiny, and stimulates blood circulation.

• Bathing: Use only special dog shampoo (human shampoo can disrupt their skin’s pH balance). Do not bathe them excessively to avoid drying out their skin.

• Nails & Ears: Check their ears regularly to ensure they are clean, and trim the tips of their nails if they get too long (ask your vet to show you how the first time).

4. Training & Socialization

A trained puppy is a happy puppy (and makes for a relaxed owner!).

• Potty Training: In the first few weeks, use absorbent pads. Once vaccinated, take them outside immediately after they wake up, after eating, and after playing. Praise them enthusiastically when they “go” outside!

• Socialization: Once fully vaccinated, expose them to as many new situations as possible: traffic noises, different people, other dogs, and children.

• Basic Commands: Start with “Sit,” “Stay,” and “No.” Always use positive reinforcement (treats/praise) and neveruse physical punishment.

5. Puppy Proofing Your Home

Puppies explore the world with their mouths.

• Hide or cover electrical cables.

• Store toxic substances (cleaning products, medications) high up or in locked cabinets.

• Check your house plants (many common plants are toxic to dogs).

• Provide plenty of safe chew toys to distract them from your favorite shoes.