New Puppy Parent? What to Expect the First Year

What to Expect the First Year With Your New Puppy

If you’re thinking about getting a new puppy, it’s important to know how your puppy’s first year affects the rest of his life. It’s a critical time for your little friend.

During those first 12 months, your new puppy will do most of his growing. It’s also a vital time in his life for developing proper social skills with other pets and humans.

If you’re bringing home a new puppy, you’ll need to provide him with the essentials to help him develop into a happy, healthy and a well-adjusted dog. Let’s look at each stage your new puppy will go through his first year and what you can do to help.

Your New Puppy at 8-10 Weeks

At about 8 weeks old, puppies begin to leave their littermates and go to new homes. This also marks a crucial time to begin housetraining your new puppy to go potty outside or on dog potty pads.

You also can begin some basic training with your young pup. There are a few commands, like sit, that puppies can learn with the help of some dog treats and praise (of course!).

You’ll want to choose a dog food when bringing home a new puppy. Make sure it’s a diet specifically formulated for puppies, like Eukanuba Puppy dry dog food or Eukanuba Puppy canned dog food.

Note that the size of your new puppy will impact his nutritional needs as well, according to Brent Mayabb, DVM, vice president of corporate affairs and chief veterinary officer at Royal Canin and Eukanuba in the Greater St. Louis area.

“For example, a small-breed puppy’s growth period is shorter than that of a larger puppy,” he says. “Their needs for minerals like calcium and phosphorus are also different. Meanwhile, large-breed puppies aren’t considered full grown until they’re nearly 2 years old, so they need to be on a large-breed puppy food longer.”

If you have a small breed puppy, a diet like Eukanuba’s small breed puppy dry dog food might be a good choice. A large-breed puppy could benefit from a diet like Eukanuba’s large breed puppy dry dog food

, which is formulated without fillers to provide the nutrition he needs without adding extra calories.

Also at this time, your new puppy will be starting his vaccinations if he hasn’t already. He should be ready for his first round of vaccinations at around 6-8 weeks and his second round at about 10-12 weeks.

Your New Puppy at 3-4 Months

When puppies reach the 3-4-month mark, they start losing their baby teeth and sprouting their adult chompers. Expect your new puppy to chew on anything he can get his mouth on to help with his teething discomfort.

Luckily, you can help avoid destructive chewing by encouraging your puppy to chew on toys made just for this purpose. Be aware that he might try to use your hand for this, so keep a toy or long-lasting dog chew on hand as a substitute.

In addition to physical growth, your puppy is also experiencing mental growth. This is an important age to begin socializing your puppy to help permanently shape his future personality. You can help socialize your puppy by exposing him to new people, places and situations, and doing your best to ensure these are positive experiences.

Check with your veterinarian to see if your new puppy is ready for a rabies vaccine.

Your New Puppy at 4-6 Months

You probably will see a spike of energy in your puppy at this age, so be sure to provide enough exercise to help him expend that energy.

“Puppies are naturally active, and exercise via play is a great way to bond with a new puppy,” Dr. Mayabb says.

Dr. Mayabb recommends aiming for between three and six play periods per day.

“It’s important to remember that puppies tire easily while they are growing up, so make sure to allow for rest as well,” he says. “A game of fetch is ideal, as it includes exercise and a lesson on commands.”

This also is a good time to start formal training with your puppy. Once your pup has received all his vaccines, he can safely interact with other dogs in a puppy training class.

Your New Puppy at 6-12 months

Puppies are nearing adulthood at this stage of development and need plenty of training and socialization now to help them become well-behaved adult dogs. If your new puppy has finished getting his core vaccinations, he can safely interact with other pups at dog parks, doggy day care and in training classes.

Taking your dog to new places and providing him with positive experiences at this age will help him become comfortable in public, especially when meeting new people and dogs.

By Audrey Pavia

Featured Image: Chewy Studios