Puppy Care: How to Take Care of Your New Dog

Good puppy care starts with preparing your home so that it’s a safe, happy environment. What do you need to do? Here’s a checklist to get you started.

• Remove (or secure) toxic plants, cleaning products, medications, and small objects your puppy could swallow.
• Block access to stairs, balconies, and hazardous rooms using baby gates.
• Secure electrical cords, and store shoes, clothing, and valuables out of reach.
• Set aside a quiet, draft-free area for your puppy's crate or bed away from high-traffic zones.
• Gather essentials before your puppy arrives, including food and water bowls, a crate, bedding, a leash, and a collar with an ID tag.
• Research local veterinary clinics and schedule a wellness visit within the first week.
• Locate the nearest emergency veterinary clinic for after-hours needs.

Once your home is ready for the new arrival, you’re ready to start learning about how to take care of your new best friend!

There are a lot of dog foods out there, and choosing between them can be difficult. First and foremost, don’t feed your puppy adult dog food. It lacks the nutrients that puppies need for healthy growth and development.

Instead, choose a food that is complete and balanced for puppies per the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards, and match the formula to your puppy’s expected adult size (small, medium, large, giant).

If you have any questions about the right food for your puppy, don’t hesitate to talk to your veterinarian. They can give you breed-specific and health-related recommendations so your puppy gets all the nutrition they need.

Quality puppy food helps your new dog grow big and strong, but only if you give them the right amount every day. Below is a sample feeding schedule by age to give you an idea of how often to feed your pup.

Keep feeding times consistent to support digestion and potty training.

Many new pet parents want to know how to use treats and training rewards. Use treats sparingly to avoid overfeeding. When possible, small portions of your puppy's regular food work just as well as training rewards.

If you do choose to give your pup treats, use ones that are small and soft for easy chewing, and make sure that the total amount you give them doesn’t exceed 10% of your puppy’s daily calorie intake.

You can begin potty training as soon as your puppy comes home with you. That said, keep in mind that puppies under 12 weeks don’t have much bladder control. There will be accidents, but you can expect gradual improvement as they grow.

Stick with it, and be patient with your puppy!

Take your puppy outside first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, and before bed. It’s best to use the same door and outdoor spot each time.

You’ll want to wait quietly until your puppy does their business, and then offer praise immediately. When accidents happen, don’t punish or berate them.

If you see them starting to relieve themselves or catch them in the act, redirect them by moving them to the proper outdoor spot. If you find the mess after the fact, simply clean it up with an enzyme-based cleaner and keep trying.

Because puppies will naturally avoid relieving themselves in the area where they sleep, crate training can be a great way to reinforce good “bathroom” habits.

When choosing a crate, make sure your puppy has room to stand up, turn around, and lie down. You’ll also want to consider how big they’re going to get when deciding on the crate size.

At first, you’ll need to keep your pup in their crate for short periods of time as they get used to it, but you can gradually increase that time as they get older.

Important note: never use the crate as punishment for your puppy (or adult dog)! Doing so can lead to negative associations with the crate and create anxiety around it.

Brush your puppy often with the right tool for their fur type to stop tangles and help them get comfortable with being groomed and handled. This will be super helpful in the future!

Trim your puppy's nails every 2 to 3 weeks using puppy-safe clippers. If you’re worried about them pulling away, handle their paws frequently before their first trim so they can get used to having their paws touched.

Check your puppy’s ears and eyes weekly, and gently remove dirt and grime with a damp cloth. It’s also important to brush their teeth several times per week with puppy-safe toothpaste to build good puppy care habits that last a lifetime.

Bathe your puppy only when they're truly dirty to protect their skin and coat. Use a mild, puppy-formulated shampoo, rinse thoroughly to remove all soap, and dry them completely after each bath.

Give your puppy short play sessions twice a day, following the rule of five minutes of activity for every month of their age. Avoid high-impact activities until after their growth plates close (typically between 9 and 18 months).

Always watch your puppy with toys to prevent choking, and avoid toys with small parts they can swallow, like string and stuffing. You’ll also want to rotate the toys often to keep your canine friend from getting bored.

Puppies don’t just need physical stimulation; they need mental stimulation, too! Challenge your pup's brain by using treat puzzles and practicing short daily training lessons to build their confidence.

Between three and 14 weeks, puppies are most receptive to learning how to behave around other animals and humans, making this the ideal window to socialize them before anxiety or fear sets in.

Introduce your puppy to different people, friendly animals, and new sights and sounds. At the same time, gently touch their paws and ears to prepare them for their visits to the veterinarian.

Keep your puppy safe by carrying them in public places and only letting them play with healthy, vaccinated dogs at home. Avoid dog parks and high-traffic areas until they’ve had all their vaccinations.

Puppies need a series of core vaccines starting at six to eight weeks old (with boosters given every 3 to 4 weeks until they’re 16 weeks old) to protect them from serious diseases like distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus. A rabies vaccine is given separately, usually as a single dose around 12 to 16 weeks of age.

Talk to your veterinarian about your puppy's lifestyle. Additional vaccines may be needed for your puppy's health, such as Bordetella, Leptospirosis, and Lyme.

Schedule a checkup with your veterinarian during your puppy's first week home to discuss parasite prevention and the best time for spaying or neutering.

Food and Water

• Age-appropriate puppy food (dry, wet, or combination) 
• Shallow, sturdy food and water bowls 
• Airtight container for food storage 

Rest and Comfort

• Crate sized for your puppy's expected adult size 
• Comfortable bedding or blankets 
• Quiet resting area away from household traffic 

Potty Training

• Enzyme-based cleaner for accidents 
• Puppy pads (optional for indoor training) 
• Leash for outdoor potty trips 

Grooming

• Brush or comb appropriate for coat type 
• Puppy safe nail clippers or grinder 
• Puppy shampoo 
• Toothbrush and puppy toothpaste 

Safety and Identification

• Collar with ID tag 
• Microchip (discuss with your veterinarian) 
• Baby gates to block off rooms 

Play and Enrichment

• Age-appropriate chew toys for teething 
• Interactive toys and puzzle feeders 
• Balls and soft toys for fetch

Good puppy care is all about giving your new family member the right nutrition from day one to support healthy growth and development. That’s where the PEDIGREE® Brand comes in.

PEDIGREE® Puppy Food is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of growing dogs of all shapes and sizes.

With optimal levels of protein and DHA for healthy brain development, calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth, and high-quality ingredients for complete and balanced nutrition, PEDIGREE® Puppy Food is perfect for small, medium, and large breed puppies.