In my former life as a farmer, in addition to my conservation effort breeding rare livestock, we also bred champion show dogs.
My partner was the genetics expert, so he focused on making sure the dogs we bred had enough genetic diversity to be healthy, intelligent and long-lived.
My focus was on the husbandry. I loved caring for newborn puppies. I loved all the work that was involved in making sure our puppies grew up to be well socialized, fearless, and even-tempered, so that the ones we would re-home would be wonderful lifelong companions for some lucky families.
Because I put so much time and effort into making sure my puppies were well socialized and behaviorally sound, my relationship with them never really ended once I’d place them into loving homes. I’d stay in touch with my adopters, especially in the first months, so I could provide any tips and advice for getting started off on the right foot with their new family member.
Now, years later, I still get emails with photos and updates on how they’re doing — and it makes me feel like a very proud papa!
More and more people seem to be open to the idea of adopting puppies these days. It makes sense because so many folks are working from home more often and have the bandwidth to deal with the excitement and responsibility a new puppy brings to a home.
If you’re thinking about giving your heart and home to a new puppy, there are a few things you need to know to be successful in the first weeks and months of this new relationship. And I’m here to help you out!
Puppy-proof your home
Before you bring home your cute little fur ball, you need to ensure your home is as safe as possible, both for your new puppy and your belongings. The puppy-proofing process is similar to toddler-proofing a home, but there are differences.
First, get an idea of the puppy-eye-view of your home. Electrical cords, potential toxins and breakable items should be placed completely out of reach. Remember that your puppy can jump, climb, chew and scratch, so place what you can very high up or in a locked cabinet.
Install durable baby gates or pet gates if needed to keep your puppy away from certain rooms of your home. It’s a good idea to keep your dog away from the kitchen (especially the trash can) and the stairs.
Buy the essentials
Your new puppy will need certain items from the very start. Some are essential for your pup’s well-being, while others are quite helpful. Most important items include a leash and collar with identification, food and water bowls and chew toys. You should also get a comfortable dog bed and, preferably, a crate or kennel.
Some of these items can last as your puppy ages, but many of them will need to be replaced as your puppy grows. Collars may be adjustable up to a certain point. A kennel can be purchased in a larger size for the future but should be blocked off with boxes or other objects to make it the right size for the puppy.
It’s also important to properly prepare for the expenses associated with dog ownership. Create a budget and try to stick to it. Be sure to allow extra money in your budget for unexpected costs.
Choose quality food
Your puppy’s diet can make all the difference in its future health and well-being. Before you decide on a puppy food, do your research. Talk to your vet, other pet professionals and fellow dog owners. Remember that if the food you initially choose doesn’t quite fit for your pup, you can gradually switch to another food.
In today’s dog-friendly world, the choices of diet seem endless. Some owners like to feed premium foods, while many feel that holistic/natural diets are best. Homemade and raw diets are also becoming increasingly popular. I do the latter for my dogs and have had the best luck with it. But it is pretty time intensive, so if you decide to do meal prep for your puppy, be prepared to commit to the time.
Make sure to choose a food that is appropriate for growth — not adult dog food or “maintenance” formulas. They grow a lot in the first year of life, so they need plenty of protein.
Choose a veterinarian
Within a few days of taking your new puppy home, you should bring it to your vet for a general exam.
Over the course of your puppy’s first six months, you will see a lot of your vet. This begins with puppy vaccines and usually leads to spaying or neutering. Typically, puppies should be spayed or neutered at around six months of age.
Your vet can help identify any potential health problems early on, and advise you on caring for your dog long-term. The initial visit also opens the doors of communication with you and your vet. To help keep your puppy’s expenses down, you may consider purchasing pet health insurance, which could cover up to 80% of your dog’s health care costs.
Vaccines are good. Get them.
Vaccines protect your puppy and other dogs from potentially fatal illnesses. Just like human babies, puppies (and kittens) need basic immunizations to take over when maternal antibodies fade. The puppy vaccination series is one of the most important aspects of your dog’s early life.
Routine vaccine visits also allow your vet’s office to see your puppy every few weeks and monitor its growth and overall health. Talk to your vet about the best immunization plan for your puppy.
House training
House training is one of the first things you will teach your new puppy. This process can sometimes be pretty frustrating, though some puppies catch on earlier than others.
House-training should start as soon as you bring your puppy home, but it takes patience. Puppies are generally not able to control their bladders and bowels until about 12 weeks of age. If your puppy is younger than this, just be patient.
Starting early can help get your puppy into a routine. As your dog grows and develops control over its bodily functions, it will already know what to do. As a general rule, you should take your puppy to the designated “potty spot” immediately after eating or drinking. However, accidents happen, so be prepared, consistent and patient.
Bond with your puppy
The bond you have with your puppy begins the moment it comes into your life and never stops growing. You can nurture this bond through affection, training, grooming, playtime, general exercise and participation in various activities. You may want to join an obedience class, start training in dog sports like agility and flyball, or participate in dog shows.
And don’t forget, we’re here to help. We offer really awesome virtual puppy classes. Our online, five-session class is geared towards puppies six months or younger. Topics include nipping and biting, potty training, teaching your puppy to come when called and more! Working spots will include a live Q&A session hosted by your trainer following each week’s presentation.
Feel free to sign up on our website at pasadenahumane.org.
Jack Hagerman is vice president of community relations of the Pasadena Humane Society.