Puppy Care Tips

The decision to bring home a puppy should never be taken lightly. The puppy will need a lot of attention in order to grow up into a well-behaved dog. It is best to choose a veterinarian before you choose a puppy, just in case of emergency. Each puppy learns at his own speed.

  1. Housebreaking

    • According to "The ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs" by Sheldon L. Gerstenfeld, puppies can hold their bladders for as many hours as they are months old, until they are 10 months old. So, a 2-month-old puppy needs to eliminate every two hours. Usually small-breed puppies can only hold their bladders for about eight or nine hours when they are a year old, but larger breeds can often hold their bladders for ten hours when they are older than 10 months. Puppies will walk around in small circles, sniffing the floor when they need to eliminate. Take them to the place you want them to use as a toilet when they exhibit this behavior. Verbally praise them when they squat. Male puppies often will not begin to lift their legs until they are at least 6 months old.

    Socialization

    • According to "The KISS Guide to Raising a Puppy" by Liz Palika, puppies are most impressionable when they are 8 to 14 weeks old. Although dogs are capable of learning at any age, they seem to learn fastest at this stage. This is the best time to gently introduce them to all the usual experiences of life, such as visiting a groomer, learning how to sit, getting a bath, watching appliances work and playing with other dogs. Puppies under 6 months old can tire out easily, so if they are too tired for a walk, hold them securely in your arms, and take them for a walk around the block to get used to the neighborhood sights, sounds and smells.

    Feeding

    • Puppies can eat soft and hard foods when they are a month old. Depending on the breed, puppies will need three small meals a day. When they reach age 6 months, this number can be reduced to two meals a day. Avoid giving puppies human food, especially human junk food and dairy products. This can make the puppy ill or put on weight too rapidly. Chocolate is dangerous for a puppy. The smaller the puppy, the more potent the chocolate is. Do not let the puppy eat bones that splinter easily, because they are choking hazards. Bite-size treats of low-calorie kibble or carrots can be used as rewards in training.