Pamper your puppy:
Before you bring your new puppy home, make sure you have prepared a comfortable puppy home. A cardboard box, crate, cage, or a basket that is big enough for a puppy to stretch in makes a fine bed. Line the bed with soft cushions or blankets. Beware that puppy may nibble or chew on the blanket, so use only blankets that you’re not so fond of. Put newspapers or puppy pads around and under the bed until the puppy is housetrained. Place toys nearby, dishes for food and water nearby.  Just like with children,  make sure that your home is a safe place for your puppy.  Put all choking hazards, electrical cords, and things that you don't want your puppy to chew on out of reach.

Puppy tips:
A puppy may cry at night the first week home. Try tucking a hot water bottle under a pillow and placing a ticking clock wrapped in a towel in the pup’s bed. The warmth and gentle tcking of the clock will comfort the puppy by reminding it of snuggling with his mother.

 

Feelings:
Pay attention to your puppy’s feelings. Puppies have ways of showing you what they like and don’t like. Puppies need lots of naps. Don't alow small children to deprive them of this much needed rest. Talk to your puppy often, but try not to shout. Don’t cuddle your puppy too tightly that it squirms uncomfortably. And never, never poke or tease it.

Feeding:
Puppies need 2 to 3 small meals everyday. Puppies also need a diet high in protein, a substance that helps it grow. Most puppy food that you can buy in the store provide this extra protein. You may also add healthy table scraps, such as fruits, vegetables, egg, cottage cheese or lean meat. Go easy on the scraps  while your puppy is young as some foods can upset their tummy.  Check my page on what not to give your puppy or dog.  Some foods can be damaging to the kidneys and liver and even result in death. Please read the "dangerous foods" section and inform all family members.

 

Veterinarian Care:
Take your puppy to see the veterinarian within a week after you have brought it home. The vet will check the puppy’s general health and give it vaccinations, which are shots that help protect your puppy from serious diseases. Also, be sure to ask your vet about the prevention of heartworms and other problems such as fleas. Don’t forget to take your dog for his yearly booster shots.

Behavior:
You’ll need to teach your puppy to behave well indoors and to get along with other people.
It must learn to tell you when it needs to go to the bathroom. Note that a puppy will never do his business (his toilet needs) in his living area.

Schedules:
Dogs like to follow a regular schedule, so try and feed and walk your dog at about the same time everyday. A grown up dog needs one, or better, two meals and a fast paced walk everyday.

Grooming:

Many dogs, especially long haired dogs, need daily combing or brushing called grooming. If you learn to comb and brush your dog gently, it will soon begin to love the attention. And it will look and feel great! Grooming sessions are also the perfect time to look for ticks, clean ears or trim nails that have grown too long.