Caring for your puppy is an important responsibility, but it is also one that can be lots of fun.
You just have to make sure that you have all the information and equipment that you need.
Click the images below to go to the relevant section of the site!
Why Do Dogs...?
An important part of puppy care, is understanding why they do the things they do.
When we get inside our dog's heads, it's much easier to help them settle in.
And become a fun member of the family.
Caring for your puppy is so much easier when you have the right knowledge, and equipment!
Scroll down the page and find out more about puppy growth and development, grooming, shedding and equipment!
Puppy Growth and Development
As your puppy grows and develops, they will change a lot.
And they will need to be cared for a little differently at each stage.
Especially during those milestone events, like teething!
Puppy Growth By Breed
Dogs have been selectively bred in an incredible range. From small and dainty to gigantic.
And although they are all still dogs at their core, these differences in size and shape can make the changes they go through in puppyhood really diverge.
Puppies Under 8 Weeks
Baby dogs should stay with their mother and littermates until they are 8 weeks old.
But during those few weeks they go through some amazing changes.
Find out what was happening to your pup and how their breeder was caring for them here:
8 Week Old Puppy
Once they hit 8 weeks old, your puppy is ready to come home!
This exciting time can also be a bit intimidating.
You can be left wondering what to do next!
But don't worry, help is at hand.
Here's how to care for your brand new puppy:
Female Dogs
Puppy care for female dogs isn't always just the same as it is for males.
Find out how different they really are, and what you can do to take the best care of them.
Choosing a Puppy Crate
Different dogs need contrasting crates!
Find your breed here, and check out which crate will be their perfect match:
Puppy Beds
Picking the right bed for your breed is important.
Not just in terms of size, but material too.
Some breeds will treat their bed as you would yours, and just settle down for a nap.
Others will prefer to make it their own giant chew toy!
Toys and Games
Puppy toys are an essential part of their care.
They don’t just provide fun, they are also a distraction when you need to be somewhere else.
Giving opportunities for chewing, testing their teeth, and even using their brains.
Puppy Toys by Breed
Many dogs were bred to be as they are for a reason.
From intelligent herding dogs, to fast sprinting racing dogs.
Those bred to chase, hunt or point.
Or just to keep you company.
You can find out which dog your breed will love the most, based on their history!
Puppy Grooming and Bathing
All pups need a good scrub occasionally.
Some more often than others!
Here are some good general cleanliness guides for you and your little dog.
When You Cut The Quick...
Puppy Grooming by Breed
Coat type varies hugely between puppies.
From straight to curled, short to long, and everything in between.
The system you’ll want to use to care for the coat will depend on what that coat is like!
Brushes by Breeds
The tools you’ll need to groom your puppy will also depend upon their coat type.
Find the right brushes for your breed here.
Shedding
Every puppy sheds.
Even the apparently hypoallergenic dog breeds.
But the amount of fur, and frequency of shedding, does differ for each dog.
Check out what to expect from your pup here:
Puppy Care
Caring for your puppy is a really important job. And it can be tricky if you don’t know what to expect.
From picking up poop to bathing and grooming, your pup will need you to stay on top of their care.
Getting to know your dog’s breed will help you to take the best possible care of them as they grow and develop.
Olivia says
I love puppies so much Because they’re fun to play and Sleep with and I would like to foster a puppy because there’s some animals out there who doesn’t have dogs and kittens so I would like to like adopt a puppy and I have like 20 bucks if that would be enough then I can buy the puppy what I clicked on
German says
I have Black German Shepherd puppy, it start itching from some days before. any guide what should I do.
Jackie GravesThank says
I have a Pembrose Welsh corgi, there is one thing about him, when I feed him he takes his nose and moves the food around then walks away. any comments?
Linda Small says
I’m looking for chocolate lab puppy or championship I have depression anxiety and bipolar I lost two sons husband I think it would be great if I could get one.Thank-You Linda Small.
Natalie says
I hope you found the best puppy! I am in the market for one as well, hoping it helps with my depression. I need a motivator to get me out and about
Chrissy says
I just finished posting replies to a comment. But really came to this page, hoping to find out how to care for my PUPPIES nails. I have had dogs & cats before but always afraid to cut them myself.
I finally got the courage to buy a nail trimmer & began trimming their nails one afternoon last week, when I realized they all were incredibally pooped from playing all morning & part of the afternoon. So I began with the most passive/obedient one, the eldest. As she was lying, eyes began to shut I sat beside her on the floor & began to clip.
Being VERY CAREFUL NOT TO GET THE “QUICK”.
My nail trimmer came with a rotary file. But it doesn’t work.
With that aside. I want to know exactly how to cut their nails. What angle or straight. I didn’t get a retracting nail trimmer/clipper.
And how do you file, is there a RIGHT WAY & a WRONG WAY?
I WILL DO MORE RESEARCH ON THE WEB, HOPING SOMEONE WILL REPLY TO MY QUESTION.
WAITING FOR AN ANSWER
CHRISSY ATKINSON Wpg
Chrissy says
I would like to add. Once I had trimmed my eldest Amariah’s nails. I decided to do all their nails. I put them in their crates & then went on with the 2nd eldest Moses by getting him to lay down. And then I gave him a high value cubed weiners & cubed cheese (very small)…& roll over cubed. I was able to literally slide him on his side…cuz he loves to get tummy rubs, so it was easy… and began clipping. I had to at times, re-position him myself, giving him a treat for allowing me, letting him know what a GOOD BOY he is.
Then when the 3rd eldest, Sarai’s turn came. She was even funnier. Cuz she lay down, allowing me. And allowed me to roll her over. It was kind of comical & funny. But only as long as I gave her treats. Her and her sister being younger & had not spent as much time training. I only did the Front Paws.
Thought this would help others whom have thought of doing it themselves, rather than having a groomer or vet do it. It is way Cheaper & it actually was Fun!
They learned to trust me as they watched the others getting it done before them, while in the safety of their crates.
Ann says
Have read the section in the handbook about training your puppy to be quiet in the crate by using an event marker when he is quiet for 3 seconds after you leave the room and shut the door. My 8 week old lab puppy will be quiet for the 3 seconds but as soon as I open the door to use the event marker, he starts howling. Do I have to leave the room and shut the door?
Pippa says
Hi Ann, use the event marker on the other side of the door. The puppy will hear a clicker through a closed door. 🙂
sophie hall says
They’re So Adorable But The Brown Looks Grumpy!!! 2 of them Are Cute THOUGH!!🐕🐕
Chris chapman says
My puppies are a Cavishon at approx 5.5 months old who is timid due to being mistreat. I also have a puppy 9 weeks old lapsu apsu and bigon frise crossed. They are both white. I have difficulty keeping their eyes clean could you suggest how to do thid and what with, also how often. I dont want to stress them with this,.
It is also a problem getting them to eat properly. They have had complete food , so I am continiung with this , although I am giving them their usual brand , they wont eat it. What do you suggest.
Thanks chris .
Chrissy says
Chris Chapman I have 4 puppies. They are not timid. But were when I got them. They all had different fears, well, except Sarai. Patience. Do not overbaby them. What I mean is… in order for them to gain confidence sake.
Treats work. My puppy had a leaky eye, infection. It got green. My puppy Moses. It wasn’t major. But I was told a warm wet cloth & wipe from the eye downward. But he didn’t like it. So upon taking to obedience training. Getting him to sit & stay. I then would call him to me on the couch in the morning & get him to sit. And talk to him. And tell him he’s a GOOD BOY. He knows that CUE to be he I am pleased with him. He LOVES IT. So I ask him if he’s a GOOD BOY & GIVE HIM A HIGH VALUE TREAT AS I PUT MY HANDS ON HIS FACE OR EARS, WHILE HE IS SITTING AT MY FEET. I CONTINUALLY GIVE, AS I GET A TISSUE & WIPE. But he wasn’t timid like yours. So it only took me one or two treats.
Yet I am sure that if you give them high value treats, separately. Keep one in another room if you can, when you do this at first. Like small cubed weiners or cheese. You won’t have to do this long, if you keep at it at first.
My puppies were not afraid of me from the beginning. Well, not totally.
I was told very early by my VET to touch their paws, ears, mouth, when I feed them their kibble. So I did. I’d talk to them, telling them they were Good Puppies as they ate. I’d stroke their ears, paws & even put pressure on their paws to make their claws come out (not hard, but so that when it came time to clipping them, they would be okay & it paid off)… and I even would stroke their tails when they ate. So, in the event that small children are around them, they are not aggressive, but passive & don’t mind it.
If you have not begun this, or have other issues why you cannot. Leave a reply & I will try & answer.
I even found out that it is good to get your puppies to sit & wait before feeding. And even to crate them while feeding. I do this & they eat without wanting to eat the others. My one Rotti mix would growl at the others & take their food. I did not like, so I found out that getting them to go in their crates first. I say, Okay, time to eat. into your bed’s. They go into their crates & they have to sit first. I will say sit, (lying down is fine to, as my eldest shepherd husky cross is extremely laid back & obedient in most of what I trained how to behave)…. believe it or not, dogs aim to please & they like structure.
The puppy that sits first or lays down, gets fed first. Same as the one who does not whine or cry, gets let out first. As it is, only one of them does this. That is the last one I had adopted.
Find a TREAT that your dogs/puppies love & use it.
Getting your dogs to sit & wait/stay or to lay down/sit on a mat is one of the most valuable things you can teach your puppies/dogs.
Anyways, hope this helps.
BTW, now i do not have to give my puppies a treat before getting their eyes wiped. Well, not for Moses or Amariah. the eldest…BUT I STILL DO GIVE THEM ONE AFTER FOR BEING WELL BEHAVED.
Chrissy says
The dog food issue. My puppies tried that one on me also. They are becoming selective. aka Picky. And also when they begin to grow in stages, they will also, not eat as much. Their body tells them they are full. And so, I would actually skip the meal. One of my puppies would become picky. Because I also fed them premium wet w/IAMS wet with canned pure pumpkin (to keep stool hard, not soft) w/small amounts of ginger & cinnamon & probiotic, plain yogurt 1/4 tsp per meal… well, some like more wet in their food etc.
I read up on it. Found out it was a growth thing combined with picky eating. So I only feed them 3x a day. They say 2x by now, but i have not been able to transition to this, but they still eat only w/in their feeding guidelines for their size & age.
I found out that it is best to give them their food & give them 20min to 1/3 hr to eat. Then take the bowl away. This way they cannot pick & choose. They will learn that if they want to eat, they will have to eat what they are served or starve. And they won’t starve themselves. When they are hungry, they will eat.
Sometimes, one of my puppies every few to several days, will not eat or eat only 1/3. That is their body saying they are not hungry & are full. They do not need anymore.
We as humans have it in us too. However, especially in Western Society, we tend to not listen to our own bodies & overeat. plain & simple. But dogs do not. It is the owner that will overfeed a dog, or feed unhealthy foods to our dogs that cause them to put them in danger of obesity or diabetes etc.
Anyways, hope this helps too.
It worked for my 4 puppies. They are 6 mos Shepherd Husky mix named Amariah , 5 mos Rotti Masti Shepherd mix named Moses & two 4 1/4 mos Terrier (could be Great Pyrenese or other large breed mix) . . named Sarai & Tiara.
Hope this is of help to you as well.
Good Luck!