How to raise a puppy: What you need to know?

February 28, 2022 Gabriela J. Henry

Although puppies are adorable, raising them is not an easy task. It can be daunting to raise a puppy if you have never done it before. Once those puppy eyes grab your heart, you won’t want to stop. These are some tips to help you get through puppy development and make sure your four-legged friend grows up happy, healthy, and well-adjusted.

Things to consider when raising a puppy

Puppies are energetic little people who are always curious about the world around them. A puppy’s life is no different to a toddler’s. You will need the patience to watch your puppy and teach him the right behaviour.

Although puppies sleep well, they may not always fall asleep at night. Your pup might wake up barking or whining about venting his frustration about being left alone. As their adult teeth develop, puppies are driven to chew. You may find the puppies version of teething rings in your living room rug, on your favourite shoes, or even in your hand. It’s okay to get frustrated with your puppy. He will be fully grown by his first birthday and will have most of his puppy instincts behind.

You need to be ready for the responsibility of a new life after you have just adopted a puppy. You will need to take time from your busy schedule to care for him. If you’re thinking of getting a dog, it’s a smart idea to make sure you have the time and resources to spend quality time with him. You can let your dog out to his business often and monitor any behaviour he may engage in while you are away.

You can puppy-proof your home

You can’t be there to supervise your curious, energetic dog 24/7. It is important to prepare your home and ensure he doesn’t wander off. Move any toxic substances or plants out of reaches, such as insecticides and cleaning supplies. To give your puppy a bird’s eye view of the surroundings, it’s a good idea to crawl through your house. You can remove any food or treats he may be inclined to eat or chew, and you can close vents, pet doors, or other openings that could allow him to get lost or stuck. This will not only keep your pup safe but will also reduce anxiety if your dog is lost.

When your puppy arrives home, you’ll need to get ready to housetrain him. You will need to have the crate available if you intend to crate train your dog. You can make it more comfortable by covering it with blankets, a dog bed or other bedding, but ensure that it is large enough for him to be able to stand, turn around and lie down. You can slowly introduce your dog to the crate, but don’t close the door. Let him explore the crate on his own. To encourage him to enter, you can give him a toy or food. Training will be easier if he feels comfortable with the idea of going in the crate.

If you cannot provide a crate for your dog, create a small space such as a powder or corner of laundry or kitchen where your pet can be kept from small children and pets. To prevent any accidents, make sure you have puppy training pads and provide a dog bed, food, water dishes, and toys. This will be his home base. It will also serve as a safe place from which he can gradually introduce himself to other household members.

Supplies you’ll need

To keep your dog happy and healthy, you’ll need to have a variety of supplies.

Water and food dishes are safe for rambunctious dogs.
Premium quality puppy food and healthy dog treats
Clean, freshwater
A collar with identification
You will need a leash or a harness to walk him. This is useful for leash training.
A dog carrier or crate
A dog bed
A dog brush or combing
Shampoos for dogs
Nail trimmers
Dog-safe toothpaste and toothbrush
Toys that are safe for puppies
You can recycle grocery bags and sandwich bags to make poop bags.
To keep your necessities while travelling, you can use a travel bag
Pet-safe cleaner (unless you are the first dog parent to have never had an accident in their home; congrats!

Puppy Nutrition

Puppies require different energy and nutrient requirements from adult dogs. You should choose high-quality puppy food, which is specifically formulated to support the development and growth of your puppy. Factors such as age, breed, and size will determine the proper amount of food. Your vet will advise you on how much and how often your puppy should be fed.

Some small breeds prefer to feed their young puppies free of charge to provide adequate nutrition. Toy and small-breed dogs can reach physical maturity quicker than larger breeds. They can then be switched to adult dog food between nine and twelve months.

Larger breeds may take two years to reach physical maturity. They should continue to be fed a puppy formula. To prevent stomach bloat or buildup of calcium or protein too high, they should be fed multiple meals per day in controlled portions. This could help to prevent conditions like hip dysplasia. This is how a structured feeding plan for larger breed dogs might look:

6-12 weeks old Four meals per day
3 to 6 months old 3 to 6 meals per day
Six months or more: Two meals daily

Training and socialization

It’s important to be patient and use positive reinforcement when training your dog to behave correctly in the house. You can either ignore undesirable behaviour or tell your dog to stop with a firm but gentle “no” Do not yell or hit your dog. This will confuse him and make him feel anxious and afraid. If your dog engages in bad behaviour, redirect him to something positive. If he chews on something that he shouldn’t, redirect him to his toys. Consider enrolling your dog in obedience classes as soon as you feel he is old enough. This will teach him good manners and help you to train him properly.