Dogs
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting — and a little overwhelming. Those first weeks shape your dog's lifelong health, behaviour and bond with you. This guide walks you through the essentials so you can start strong.
Feeding schedule
Puppies have tiny stomachs and big nutritional needs. Most breeds do best on four small meals per day until about 12 weeks, then three meals until 6 months, and two meals thereafter.
- Choose a complete puppy formula labelled for "growth" or "all life stages" by AAFCO.
- Measure portions — free-feeding is a leading cause of obesity.
- Keep fresh water available at all times.
- Avoid sudden food changes; transition over 7–10 days.
Tip: weigh your puppy weekly and adjust portions against the food's feeding chart and your vet's guidance.
Vaccinations
Vaccines protect puppies from deadly diseases like parvovirus and distemper. Your vet will recommend a schedule, but a typical core protocol looks like:
- 6–8 weeks — DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvo)
- 10–12 weeks — DHPP booster, optional leptospirosis/Bordetella
- 14–16 weeks — final DHPP, first rabies
- 12 months — boosters
Avoid public dog areas until the full puppy series is complete, but do socialise carefully in safe environments — the socialisation window closes around 14 weeks.
Training basics
Use positive reinforcement: reward what you want, ignore or redirect what you don't. Keep sessions short (3–5 minutes) and fun. Focus first on:
- Name response — say the name, reward eye contact.
- House training — take outside every 1–2 hours and after meals, naps, play.
- Crate training — a positive den that aids housetraining and travel.
- Bite inhibition — redirect mouthing onto chew toys.
- "Sit", "down", "come" — the foundation cues.
Exercise requirements
Over-exercising a puppy can damage growing joints. A useful guideline is the 5-minute rule: five minutes of structured exercise per month of age, twice a day. Mix free play, sniffing walks and short training sessions; avoid forced jogging on hard surfaces until skeletal maturity.
Grooming tips
- Brush daily, even short coats — it builds tolerance for handling.
- Introduce nail trims with treats; trim weekly or bi-weekly.
- Check ears for wax or odour; wipe with a vet-approved cleaner if needed.
- Brush teeth daily with a pet-safe toothpaste — never human paste.
Common mistakes
- Skipping socialisation in the critical 3–14 week window.
- Inconsistent rules — every family member must enforce the same boundaries.
- Punishing accidents — it teaches the puppy to hide, not to wait.
- Too much freedom too soon — supervise or crate to prevent bad habits.
- Delaying vet visits — early problems are cheaper and easier to fix.
With patience, consistency and a lot of love, the next few months will lay the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted adult dog.