Welcoming a new puppy home is a fascinating and joyous endeavour. It brings boundless joy and happiness into the family, but at the same time, it brings many responsibilities and tasks with it. As a new pet parent, you will need to understand and learn about your dog's needs and requirements to know how to make them feel comfortable and keep them happy.
Essential Tips For Puppy Care
In this puppy care guide, we have put together some essential tips and tricks, which cover all the aspects that a puppy owner should know for their new fur baby.
Diet and Nutrition Guide for Puppies
Puppies need extra nutritional care in their early months as they have very high energy levels, and to maintain and channel them in the right direction, we need to pay extra care and attention to their nutritional diet.
You can ensure they have a nutritious, balanced diet by following this schedule, as advised by our pet care experts at Mr n Mrs Pet:
Puppy Feeding & Care Schedule
| Stage | Feeding Plan | Notes |
|---|
| Early Days (First Week) |
Curd mixed with water and semi-liquid dog food every few hours; add coconut water once daily; keep fresh water always. |
Light meals only, monitor stool, contact vet if vomiting or loose motion. |
| After 1 Month |
Puppy food, boiled chicken, rice, soft-boiled veggies (pumpkin, peas, carrot, etc.), paneer, boiled egg whites, fruits like apple, banana, papaya, watermelon. |
No salt, sugar, milk; all food should be fresh, boiled, and finely chopped. |
| Foods to Avoid |
Mushroom, garlic, corn, tomato, citrus fruits, grapes, raisins, chocolates, nuts, peaches, plums, raw eggs, raw meat. |
Strictly avoid these foods as they can be very harmful for dogs. |
Foods to Avoid
Mushroom, garlic, corn, tomato, citrus fruits, grapes, raisins, chocolates, nuts, peaches, plums, raw eggs, raw meat.
Strictly avoid these foods as they can be very harmful for dogs.
Also, portion control and feeding at regular time intervals are crucial for dogs to keep them healthy and prevent obesity by feeding correct food.
Social Adaptability
Making your puppy socially interactive from the beginning is crucial to your dog's social well-being. Just like human newborns, young puppies are genuinely curious and eager to explore everything around them. So it's essential to direct their new energy correctly towards specific environments to make your puppy more confident and friendly.
- Start socialisation between 8-16 weeks; let your puppy see and hear everyday things (doorbells, traffic, vacuum sounds).
- Introduce your puppy to family, friends, and visitors calmly; reward calm behaviour with treats or praise.
- Arrange short, supervised play sessions with vaccinated and friendly pets; never force interaction.
- Encourage positive interactions with people and other animals with positive reinforcement and treats to start early social training.
- Leave your puppy alone for short periods to reduce separation anxiety later.
You can also go for the 3-3-3 rule: The first three days should be used for adjusting to their new surroundings, the next three weeks for training and bonding, and the first three months for continued socialisation and training.
Note: Avoid taking the very young puppies out, as they may come in contact with infections and diseases from the surroundings.
Start Basic Training Early
Basic training commands like sit, come, stay, and fetch are essential for your puppy to learn to make him disciplined and feel confident outdoors.
Regular short training sessions: Punctuality tends to be very effective for young puppies. Regular short periods of training sessions in a day ensure consistency and give effective results. You can also enrol in a basic training school to provide your puppy with a proper environment for his training.
Positive Reinforcement: No matter the age or temperament, always use positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behaviour.
Potty Training: Having a puppy potty training schedule is a crucial part of successfully training your new dog. Sticking to the same wakeup, feeding, potty, and play times ensures they are used to the timeline and schedule to avoid accidents.
Different breeds need different techniques for their training. Some require more effort and stimulation, while others are already very physically active, so adjust your training methods accordingly to match your dog's needs and provide personalised training to your canine.
Healthcare and Vet Visits
Scheduled health checks, vaccination updates, deworming, and oral hygiene all serve to make your puppy healthy and safe from diseases. Here is what you need to make sure of in each aspect:
Vaccination:
- Follow vet-recommended vaccination schedule (core vaccines like DHPP, rabies, parvo, etc.), and
- Keep your records updated.
Vet Visits:
- Schedule regular check-ups, at least once every 3-6 months.
- Consult a vet immediately for illness, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unusual behaviour.
Oral Care:
- Brush teeth daily or several times a week with dog-safe toothpaste.
- Provide dental chews to prevent plaque and maintain healthy gums.
Grooming:
- Brush coat regularly according to breed and coat type
- Keep nails trimmed.
- Bathe occasionally with puppy-safe shampoo.
- Check ears and eyes for cleanliness.
Understanding Body Language and Behaviour
Dogs' body language is their prime way of communication, and interpreting their signals helps you understand them better and have a b relationship with them.
Happy & Relaxed:
Soft wagging tail, relaxed ears and body, play bows, nuzzling, or licking indicate contentment and friendliness.
Anxiety & Discomfort:
Crouching, tucked tail, flattened ears, avoiding eye contact, whining, pacing, or stiff body signal stress or fear.
Stomach Issues & Illness:
Vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, decreased appetite, hunched back, or excessive lip licking can indicate discomfort or illness.
Observation & Response:
Watching your puppy's behaviour helps you comfort them, prevent stress, and seek veterinary care when needed.
How Mr n Mrs Pet Help?
At Mr n Mrs Pet, we provide expert guidance on all aspects of puppy care, including diet, training, socialisation, and health. Our team helps new pet parents understand their puppy's needs, from vaccination schedules and regular vet check-ups to deworming and preventive care, ensuring a happy and healthy start.
We also offer breed-specific training and guidance, along with timely advice, helping you raise a confident, well-behaved, and healthy puppy.
Following these important tips will give you a healthy insight into managing your daily life with your young puppy and help you build a ber and more efficient bond with them.
Keeping in mind their basic needs, food habits, and vet visits is essential, and by doing so, you can enjoy living with your little dog so that it can grow into a happy and healthy furry friend.