Top Ten Care Guide for a new puppy:
1. Choosing the right puppy.
2. Provide a safe living space.
3. Provide a comfortable sleeping area.
4. Provide balanced nutrition.
5. Provide clean fresh water.
6. Socialize with the puppy.
7. Train the puppy.
8. Exercise the puppy.
9. Play with the puppy.
10. Provide preventative health care.
Patience and a plan
Your puppy might seem subdued and mellow for the first few days—but give it time. As they get more comfortable in your home, their true personality will emerge. Puppies are full of energy and can be quite a handful, they play-bite, chew and will pee in the house until they are house-trained. Realize that some of it is development and some behaviors, such as attacking your legs and chewing on your hands, will decrease—if you manage them humanely and correctly.
Safe Places to play and sleep.
Puppies need places where they can be safely confined until they learn their house manners, which may not be for more than a year. A common misconception is that these secure places must be large to be effective, but your pup’s crate only needs to be big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around. While your dog's crate is a place for rest and relaxation, exercise pens are exactly what they sound like: bigger fenced-in areas, like playpens for kids, that give your pup a place to play and run around safely while you are busy doing other things.
Supply of healthy food and treats
There's more to choosing the right dog food than randomly picking up a bag of kibble at the supermarket. Because every dog has unique needs, ask your veterinarian for recommendations. No matter which food you choose, make sure you are feeding the correct amount. Puppies usually need at least three meals a day. To support their growth and development, let them eat when they are hungry and until they are satisfied.
It is a clever idea to have treats on hand, too, to help with training (and just to show your pup a little love every so often. Remember to factor treats into their nutritional plan, too.
Sturdy collar leash and ID tag
It is important to choose a collar and leash sized appropriately for the breed and age of your pup. An adjustable dog collar is best at this stage since your puppy will grow quickly. Remember to regularly examine the collar for condition and fit. You should be able to slip two fingers underneath the collar but not so loose that it can slip over a puppy’s head. All dogs need ID tags. Don’t be fooled into thinking your dog doesn’t need identification because they're an “indoor dog;” if your dog gets lost accidentally, you want a speedy reunion and ID tags help.
Make sure this info is on your dog's tag:
· Their name
· Your phone number
· The city where you live.
Play toys and chew toys.
Puppies sleep a lot, but when they are awake, they play like it is their full-time job. To keep your pup mentally stimulated, provide them with a variety of dog toys that incorporate all kinds of textures, sounds and shapes. Exposing them to different toys helps to socialize them to remain calm and accepting of differences in their environment throughout their lives. Since puppies start chewing right after weaning, a habit that only intensifies during teething time, dog chew toys are a must.