There’s nothing sweeter than a little puppy as a gift. But before you bring a new puppy home, it is important to consider how adopting a puppy can change your life. Caring for a new puppy takes a lot of dedication and a lot of time. While puppies are adorable, an older dog that’s already trained may suit some families better.
Caring for a puppy can be quite time-consuming. Puppies need dedicated attention, so if you’re away at work all day, or are also caring for small children, training a puppy can be difficult. Understanding all the work that goes into a puppy can help you decide if this is the best choice for your family.
Puppy Care 101
- Proper Diet and Hydration
You will need to buy a puppy-formula dog food to ensure that your new puppy is getting all the nutrients they need to grow. Making sure they drink plenty of water is also important, as dehydration can cause organ failure in extremely young dogs.
- Potty Training
Training a puppy to do their business outside can be a difficult task, and often comes with accidents. Be patient, and ask for help from a vet or a trainer if you need to!
- Play Time and Rest
Play time with your puppy can look like teaching them to sit or fetch, or training to walk on a leash. Just remember that rest is equally important for their growing brains and bodies.
- Socialization
Puppies should always be formally introduced to the other humans and animals in the household. Monitoring these interactions and keeping them short and positive will help keep your puppy safe.
- Establish Daily Routines
Becoming used to care routines like weekly baths starts as a puppy. Handling their paws and ears will make veterinary visits and grooming much easier. And getting your puppy used to a crate will help when you’re traveling or when they just need a safe place to hide.
- Veterinary Care
Dogs need veterinary care throughout their lives, but for puppies it’s essential. Puppies need several rounds of vaccinations before they are immune to deadly diseases like parvovirus and rabies. Until they are fully vaccinated, keep puppies away from dog parks and other animals to help them stay healthy.
What to Do Before You Bring a Puppy Home
- Gather the Essentials
Your puppy will need puppy chow, bowls for food and water, treats for training, a collar with proper ID, a leash, toys, and a bed.
- Prepare for Potty Training
Learning all you can about the different ways to potty train a puppy can help you prepare in advance. But no matter which method you choose, we suggest stocking up on sanitizing sprays and some pet-friendly carpet cleaner.
- Puppy-Proof the House
Puppies are not only full of curiosity, they also love to chew. However, some houseplants can be deadly to dogs, and swallowing small objects can cause dangerous blockages in their intestines. Go through every room in your house and make sure it’s puppy-proof.
- Find a Good Veterinarian
Deciding on a veterinarian before you bring home your puppy will help alleviate stress later on. Vaccination appointments are very important for puppies, so scheduling them ahead of time will help you keep your puppy safe. Finding a vet you trust will also give you peace of mind if there is ever an emergency.
Puppy Vaccinations and Checkups in Gilbert, Arizona
The team at East Valley Animal Hospital is here to help you care for your puppy from day one. With preventative care like vaccinations and annual checkups, your new puppy will grow up into a healthy, happy dog. We care for all pets just like they’re our own, and we’d love to answer all of your new puppy questions. If you’re getting ready to adopt a puppy, contact us today to schedule their first appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/26/25). Photo by Austin Kirk on Unsplash.