Everything a First Time Puppy Owner Needs to Know

Whether you’re a post-grad student looking for an apartment companion or a busy family ready to add another little rascal to the bunch, being a first time puppy owner is a fun, yet sometimes challenging experience! As a responsible caregiver, here are some things you’ll need to know as you welcome home your new fur-ever friend.

Find a trusted vet

All of the puppies at All Star Puppies come with a 100% health guarantee, meaning our breeders have kept up with our trusted vets’ recommendations, and every puppy is up to date on vaccinations and shots.

With any animal, however, health issues can arise even with all the proper care. It is important to find a reputable veterinarian in your area and keep your puppy up to date on health screenings and vaccinations.

Practice proper socialization methods

While our breeders have taken care to properly socialize your puppy during its first few weeks of life, it is important to introduce your puppy to its new home in a way that doesn’t overwhelm them. Use our Puppy Socialization article for guidance!

Puppy-proof your home

Just like toddlers, puppies love to explore, chew and claw at anything they can find. Make sure to keep chewable objects or potential dangerous items (like electric cables) off the floor and out of reach for your pup.

Really take the time to search each nook and cranny of your home – if you can get to it, your puppy will get to it first!

Put up puppy gates in between rooms and stairways to keep the little rascal confined, at least until they can be supervised in every room or mature enough to not need it.

Find the right training techniques

Crate training, potty training and other ways to tame your mischievous pup are are important to begin early in a puppy’s life. View our potty training article for helpful guidance, and view the AKC’s website for information on other training methods. If desired, find a trusted, reputable training institute for your puppy to take classes with.

Find the right food

Puppies at two months old should be eating several small meals throughout the day, but at around four months old can begin to eat four meals per day. Shortly after that, they can be cut down to three and then two larger meals per day. Controlling the diet will also help with the potty training process (see our article for more info).

Get the right supplies

Lastly, every pet owner needs a checklist of supplies to purchase before bringing their new furry friend home. Here’s ours:

• Crate – recommended by the AKC
• Chewable toys
• Treats
• Dog bed
• Collar
• Leash
• Plenty of cleaning supplies
• Food and water bowls
• Dog brush
• Nail trimmer
• Shampoo
• Puppy gates for your home
• Food

Choosing the right food is an important step. While wet or dry food is an owner’s preference, the AKC recommends finding a brand of food that has been trial tested. Since each type of dog is different, be sure to research your specific breed to find other details on proper feeding techniques.

Though challenging, being a first time puppy owner can be a joyful experience! For more information on any of these topics, visit the American Kennel Club’s website for helpful tips on every stage of puppy life.

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This post was written by All Star Puppies