From your pup's adjustment period to stress-free vet visits and everything in between, we've packed this newsletter with expert tips to help you navigate the puppy journey with confidence.
Welcome to the club! Congrats on adding your new puppy to your family. Your life will never be the same (in the best way possible).
Puppies can be a bit overwhelming. There's so much to do and learn, and so much pee to clean up. But don't worry – you got this.
At the end of the day, just remember to enjoy every precious moment with your pup. They grow up way too fast, and that puppy breath and round puppy belly won't last forever. So go ahead and savor the cuteness overload, friend – we're here to help whenever you need it!
This week's focus:
Your puppy's adjustment period
Getting started with socialization
Pros and cons of pee pad training
Making vet visits less stressful
Vaccine timing
Puppy proofing and more
Adjusting is Hard
A new pup faces lots of sudden changes! Different routine, unfamiliar surroundings, and separation from their littermates and mother. It's helpful to create and stick to a regular routine from the get-go to help develop predictability and give your puppy a sense of safety. Spritzing their bedding with dog-specific pheromones can also be calming.
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Fear Impact Periods
Fear periods are a natural part of a puppy's development, typically occurring around 8–11 weeks and again during adolescence (between 6–18 months). During these periods, puppies may display sudden fear or anxiety toward ordinary objects or situations.
Patiently supporting your puppy through these phases is crucial, as it helps them build confidence. Don't force interactions with things they are hesitant to approach in an attempt to "fix" the fear. It's better to add distance and simply create positive associations from afar.
Training a puppy to use pee pads has its pros and cons. Potty pads can be convenient for apartment dwellers and helpful during extreme weather conditions. However, relying on pee pads often confuses the puppy and prolongs the housetraining process. It's best to use pee pads as a temporary solution and focus on outdoor potty training for long-term success.
Early socialization is crucial for shaping a confident and well-adjusted adult dog. The critical socialization period is 3–16 weeks old. What they learn during this time will imprint on their little brains and have a huge effect on their future behavior. So, don't delay providing positive and safe experiences for your puppy.
Where do you start with puppy training? It can be overwhelming to think about all the things you're "supposed" to teach your new pup. Don't worry — focus on three things to start with: socialization, housetraining, and building a trusting relationship. There's a fun video in the article link below of a simple game to teach "drop it."
A puppy's mother provides them with an understanding of the world. The basic act of nursing teaches puppies cooperation and basic communication skills. Their littermates also teach them many lessons, such as bite inhibition, proper dog etiquette, and behavioral limits.
It's now up to you to provide the essentials to continue their learning.
Puppies have many vet visits during their first year of life for vaccines and often spay/neuter appointments. They can become fearful of these visits, but there is lots you can do to make them a pleasant experience for your pup, like going for short happy visits to the clinic between exam appointments. This way, your puppy can get some attention and treats from staff and create positive associations with the veterinary team.
The vaccine series usually starts between 6–8 weeks of age, with vaccines and boosters given every 3–4 weeks until your puppy is 16–17 weeks old. Some puppies may need an additional booster at roughly 20 weeks old — especially true for "black & tan" breeds and puppies in high-risk environments (i.e., where they could easily be exposed to other dogs, like in a foster or rescue situation, or they spend a lot of time outdoors near where wildlife roam).
One way to help your puppy burn energy and prevent undesired behaviors (like destructive chewing) is to give them puzzles and enrichment activities. It's fun to find DIY options for these around your home, from empty egg cartons to cardboard boxes and more. Enrichment like this builds confidence and works their brain!
Puppies have a tendency to get into, well, everything! It's important to keep them safe (and protect your belongings) by puppy proofing your home. From backpacks & purses to cords & plants, there's lots to consider.
Crate training takes time, so it's important to have a larger puppy playpen where your puppy can hang out safely when not under your direct supervision. This space should be large enough to fit a bed/crate, water, potty pad (if you're pad training), and extra space for your pup to move about and play. Stock it with safe puppy toys to keep them entertained during alone time practice.
If your puppy was microchipped at the breeder or shelter prior to your bringing them home, you'll want to update their microchip registration to your contact information ASAP!
We've reviewed products for safety, efficacy, and durability. What we recommend is veterinary and behavior-approved.
Choosing a Collar for Comfort & Safety
You'll want a collar for your puppy to hold their ID tags, just in case! But have them go "naked" in their crate. And it's best to walk your puppy by attaching their leash to a harness. See why further below.
Choose a leash that feels good for you to hold! There are lots of materials, weights, and types to choose from — even super long ones for exploring. Remember, puppies don't come preprogrammed to know how to walk on leash! That comes with training and practice.
Walking your puppy using a harness is best to prevent pressure on their neck and potential acute or chronic injuries from pulling.
There are lots of harnesses to pick from, and puppies grow fast! So, it's often easier (and more budget-friendly) to purchase step-in soft harnesses at first before investing in a well-fitting front-attachment harness when they are 4 to 6 months old.
The Blue-9 Balance Harness (featured in the link below) is a staff favorite because it's so adjustable, making it last for quite a long time during puppyhood and into adolescence.
The first few days can be stressful in a new home. Puppies respond well to calming dog pheromones, white noise, and many pups love having a Snuggle Puppy in their crate, which mimics their littermates for better sleep.
Make your puppy's well-being a priority by avoiding common safety hazards and training mistakes. Our 101Essential Tips book series comes in paperback and digital, and features bite-sized, easy-to-follow expert advice. Prevent problems before they happen.
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