How to Care for a New Puppy in Your Home

Your new puppy has a few essential needs that must be met for both of you to be happy and get along well. These essential needs are his own space, a bathroom, puppy food, a safe environment, and attention.

The puppy's own space should be quiet and needs to include a dog bed, or crate, to sleep in, a food bowl, a water bowl, and some chew toys.

For the bathroom, choose the area that you want him to use as his bathroom and show it to him. Take your puppy to his bathroom area when he awakes, after he eats, if he hasn't gone there in a while, and any time that he begins sniffing around and turning in circles. He will make mistakes. If you catch him in the act, say "No," then take him to his bathroom area. Just as you would not punish a child for potty accidents, do not punish your puppy for accidents. Instead, praise him every time that he is successful.

Find out what food your puppy has been eating, and, if possible, continue giving him the same diet. If for some reason you need to change his diet, it is important to do it slowly. Mix the old food with the new food during five to seven days. Slowly add more of the new food and less of the old food to this mixture, until he is eating only the new food. Avoid feeding scraps and leftovers to your puppy; they can cause digestive and behavioral problems.

For your puppy's environment to be safe, it is essential that he does not have access to detergents, poisons, food, or loose electrical cords that he can chew. Puppies are like small children, they will put everything in their mouth, so keep small objects out of their reach. Some plants, though not poisonous to humans, are poisonous to animals. Check if the plants that you have in, or around, your house are hazardous to your puppy. Make sure the puppy cannot get into the trashcan where he can eat something that may cause him harm. It is also good to get in the habit of putting down the toilet cover so that your new puppy won't drink from the toilet or worse drown.

Puppies need a lot of attention and exercise. Make time to play with him. Quiet play, brushing, and walks are a necessary part of every puppy's daily life.