The Ultimate Guide to Feeding, Training and Caring for Your New Puppy

Just like this iconic quote, with pet parenthood also comes great responsibility. Your new family member’s well-being is in your hands and will need more than just food and snuggles to thrive. Caring for a puppy involves more than just basic puppy care; it requires patience, love, and the right knowledge.  Learning how to take care of a puppy might feel overwhelming at times, but at Pedigree, we make it a little easy with our comprehensive guides on puppy care. Whether you're interested in feeding a puppy the right way or figuring out how to take care a puppy in general, you’ll find all the essential tips and tricks here. 

Getting your home ready for a puppy

Bringing a new puppy into your home is a joyous occasion, but it also requires careful preparation. Just like young children, puppies are naturally curious and eager to explore their new environment, which can sometimes lead to dangerous situations. To ensure your puppy's safety, it's essential to puppy-proof your home thoroughly.

Start by removing any chemicals and toxins that could be within its reach. Electrical cords and cables should be secured or hidden away to prevent chewing hazards. Rugs and carpets should be cleaned frequently to remove any small objects that a puppy might swallow and choke on. It’s also important to check for plants that might be toxic to dogs.

Breakable objects and valuables should be placed out of reach or stored away safely. Install baby gates or pet barriers to restrict access to certain areas, such as the kitchen or stairs. By creating a safe environment, you can ensure that your pup is out of harm's way and ready to explore its new home.

Choosing your puppy's food

Feeding a puppy the right diet is crucial for its growth and development. When selecting puppy food, it's essential to consider the quality of ingredients, the inclusion of proper nutrients, and taste.

Pedigree offers a range of puppy food that is specially formulated with essential nutrients to support your puppy's growing body. Our puppy food includes a perfect blend of zinc and vitamin A to strengthen the immune system, calcium and phosphorus for robust teeth and bones, and DHA and choline for the healthy development of the nervous system. This tailored nutrition closely resembles the nutritional richness of a mother's milk, providing a balanced and nurturing diet for your fur baby.

Provide a healthy diet and exercise

A healthy diet is a cornerstone of puppy care. Opt for nutrient-dense pet food specifically formulated for growing puppies. Always follow your veterinarian's advice on how to pick the best dog food for your puppy’s nutritional needs. Exercise is equally important in caring for a puppy. Once your vet confirms that your puppy is fully vaccinated, regular walks and playtime are essential. Exercise will help your puppy use its surplus energy constructively. Prepare yourself for a commitment that involves some ankle-biting, sharp teeth, and “zoomies”, but also a lot of fun and bonding time.

Feeding your puppy

As we have already established the importance of nutrients for puppies, the right food type, feeding schedule, and nutrition for them in brief:

• Food type:

  Feeding a puppy properly starts with selecting high-quality puppy food that meets AAFCO guidelines for complete and balanced nutrition. Puppies require a diet rich in nutrients to build strong bones, teeth, and muscles.

• Feeding schedule:

  Begin feeding solid food to your puppy at around four weeks of age. Follow a feeding schedule by offering meals three times a day until they are six months old, then switch to twice daily.

• Nutrition:

  Puppies need a nutrient-dense diet to support their rapid growth and development. Always consult your vet for personalized advice on feeding a puppy to ensure that it receives proper nutrition for strong immunity and healthy growth.

You can also read a thorough feeding guide for puppy; this will help you understand what and how much nutrients your fur baby needs.

Training a puppy

Training a puppy is essential for raising a well-behaved and happy dog. With the right techniques and patience, you can teach your puppy important skills and behaviors that will last a lifetime.

• 8 to 10 Weeks

  At this age, your puppy is beginning to learn the basics. Start by establishing a daily schedule that includes feeding a puppy, play, training, potty breaks, and naptimes. And one of the key things you need to learn is how to potty train a puppy. Early socialization and name recognition are also crucial during this stage. Introduce basic commands such as "Sit" and "Come" while using food lures. Crate training helps in housebreaking and reduces separation anxiety.

• 10 to 12 Weeks

  During this period, expand on the basic commands your puppy has learned. Introduce commands like "Place," "Down," and "Heel" inside the home using treats as rewards. Begin leash and harness training to get your puppy accustomed to these essential tools. Continue socialization by introducing your puppy to new people and calm dogs. You should also expose it to common noises like traffic and garbage trucks. Practice impulse control by having your puppy wait for their food and water bowls and start threshold training.

• 3 to 4 Months

  Your puppy is growing quickly, and now is the time to introduce more complex training routines. Teach commands such as "Stay" and "Leave it". Practice command combinations and duration work, like a long "Sit" or "Stay." Start practicing the "Heel" command outdoors to get your puppy accustomed to outside distractions. Socialize with other vaccinated puppies and introduce structured play sessions like fetch and tug to improve on commands like "Drop-it," "Come," and "Stay".

• 4 to 6 Months

  You can now start practicing commands outside your home and in public spaces. Advance their training by adding the 3Ds: distance, duration, and distractions. Extend your walks and practice the "Heel" command further from home. Socialize your puppy in more populated areas to help them adapt to different distractions and improve their skills.

While this is a brief introduction on puppy care, you can explore our comprehensive guides on how to care for puppy to become a pro at pet parenting. Our articles will provide you with essential tips and tricks to care for your puppy the right way.