Surviving your puppy’s first year: A guide to puppy life stages

New puppy parents will want to find a reputable veterinarian, ideally close to the home. Spend time researching and asking in online neighborhood groups for vet recommendations. And always read the reviews for any hospital recommended — but take the occasional bad reviews with a grain of salt, and read all the hospital comments too. Also, have one or two emergency vets on your radar for overnight emergencies. Puppies often get into trouble when your vet is closed for the night!

First, you need to get your home in “puppy shape” to set your pup up for success. There are moments when your pup will feel extremely difficult to manage, and you’ll wonder when they’ll mature. Take a deep breath and remember they will grow up happy and healthy with the right support system. 

• Go into puppy mode — Scan your house on all fours. Remember, your puppy explores the world with their mouth. Every corner of your home will be licked and explored, so watch the products you’re using. Puppies love to chew on everything, so move shoes to the closet and keep electrical cords (or anything really!) off the floor. 
• Switch to secure garbage cans with lids — It doesn’t matter if you have a 4-foot-tall and a Chihuahua. Puppies don’t need the extra temptation, they always seem to find a way. This means every bathroom trash can, too.
• Establish the puppy zone — This is as much for safety as for behavior training. Get a dog gate or X-pen to keep your puppy confined in a small area. Your puppy shouldn’t be allowed to roam free until housetraining is complete. It may be six months or more before your pup can roam, but they should still be under your supervision. Crate training is another excellent idea, but while you’re training, you need a secure area for your pup!

This list will cover you for the first few weeks and up to a month if you buy in bulk.  Other essential items include: 

• A heartbeat toy like the Snuggle Puppy soothes anxious puppies with a warming pad and heartbeat.
• Puppy blankets and/or dog beds  
• Crate with a divider that can move as they grow
• A leash and a harness or collar
• Puppy food
• Food and water bowls
• Stain & odor remover for accidents 
• Dog gates or playpens
• Toys like chew toys, puzzle toys, teething toys, plush toys, or ball toys
• Grooming tools including a brush, nail clippers, and bathing materials

Pet insurance can be exceptionally helpful for providing financial protection for pet owners in case their pet requires expensive medical care. If you choose to purchase a policy, puppies should be insured immediately to avoid future conditions not being covered.

If you anticipate bringing a puppy home, you can call the provider and ensure they have a policy the day they are brought home. Pet insurance can help cover veterinary visits, surgeries, prescription medications, and emergency care costs. Many policies also cover routine wellness exams, vaccinations, and other preventive treatments.

Introducing new dogs to each other can take much longer than 30 days — especially if one of your dogs is older. Try rewarding your other dogs when they’re near the puppy if things remain tense. This practice will help create a positive association with that annoying new fluffball. The best introduction is done on neutral ground so choose a place like your dog’s favorite park or a nearby school. 

If you have smaller pets in the home, like cats or bunnies, it’s important to supervise all interactions until your puppy understands these are not toys or things to chase!

Here’s where our guide to housetraining your puppy comes into play. There are three different methods we recommend. If one isn’t working, try another. Accidents will happen. The best thing that you can do is to remain patient, consistent and reward your dog immediately with positivity (and a snack) when they poop where they’re supposed to go.

If you haven’t already scheduled your first vet visit, now is the perfect time. Puppy vaccinations typically start at 6-8 weeks old and it’s best to get your puppy established at a clinic right away. 

Prepare for your puppy’s first vet visit by creating a list of questions for your vet, such as: 

• Vaccinations. What vaccinations does my pet need, and when should they be administered? 
• Parasites. What steps can I take to prevent parasites in my pet?
• Diet. Are there any dietary changes I should make to ensure optimal health for my pet?
• Puppy teething. How can I manage puppy teething and biting?
• Dental disease. How can I best brush my pup’s teeth?

Having a team of pet professionals to care for a puppy is important to ensure the pup’s physical and mental health. A trainer and vet behaviorist can provide behavioral guidance that puppies need as they grow, helping them become well-adjusted adult pets. It takes a village! 

• Groomer.  Now is a great time to start scoping out groomers to get a sense of price, quality, and personality. 
• Trainer. A trainer can help your puppy understand basic commands and proper behaviors while teaching them to trust humans. 
• Behaviorist. A boarded veterinary behaviorist is a specialist who will help assess the pup’s needs if there are signifcant behaviorial issues.
• Pet sitter or a local boarding facility. A pet sitter provides reliable companionship and care for the puppy in their new home.

• Crate training. Crate training is one of the most important things you can teach your puppy. There are so many benefits from helping dogs relax, house training, and if there is an emergency!
• X-pens. X-pens provide a safe and secure space for puppies to explore and play.
• Tethering. Tethering your pup to you can help strengthen the bond between pet and owner. It provides endless training opportunities.
• Limited freedom. A puppy needs limited freedom in the first 30 days to help them adjust to their new home and environment. This includes providing a safe, secure space where the pup can explore without getting overwhelmed, exhausted, or scared.

Many guides recommend socializing your puppy early on. It is important to socialize puppies even before they have had all their vaccinations, as recent research has shown that positive socialization experiences between 8-16 weeks of age can help prevent fearfulness and aggression in dogs later in life. 

Unvaccinated puppies should not be taken to dog parks and other highly populated areas, but a few safe play dates or puppy socials with a trainer are essential at this stage. You can also bring people over or schedule play sessions with other vaccinated dogs so that your puppy can get comfortable around others before tackling the outside world. 

Fear periods are an unfortunate but normal part of puppy development, typically between 8-10 weeks old. During this period, puppies become more cautious and fearful of their environment. 

According to behaviorists, owners should take extra care during this time, so puppies learn that the world is not scary. This can be done by slowly introducing new experiences with plenty of positive reinforcement.

During this stage, puppies will reach sexual maturity, which can cause changes in behavior, such as increased energy levels or aggression Trusted Source VCA Hospitals Community of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information. Go to source toward other dogs and people. Training during this period is crucial to develop proper socialization skills. 

According to trainers, this period typically starts around six months of age and can last up to 18 months. During this time, puppies often display increased energy, more frequent exploration, boredom-driven behaviors such as barking or chewing, and occasional aggression toward other pets or people. They may seem to forget all their important puppy training sessions!

Advanced dog training can be a powerful tool for addressing some behavioral issues associated with puppy adolescence and maturity. During this period of growth, dogs are more likely to exhibit a wide variety of behaviors than at any other point in their lives. 

Advanced dog training techniques can help channel these behaviors into something more manageable and less disruptive for both the dog and its owners. Through positive reinforcement, an experienced fear-free certified trainer (i.e. one who has a certification from the CPPDT) can teach a young pup how to appropriately respond to commands and situations that may otherwise prove too overwhelming or chaotic.

Unfortunately, this is the life stage when many dogs are surrendered to shelters or rescues by overwhelmed owners. However, pup parents should know that these behaviors can be addressed and overcome with the right support and patience. Some common unwanted pup behaviors that start to pop up include: 

• Inappropriate chewing 
• Running around excessively and exhibiting exuberant energy
• Starting sexual behavior if not spayed or neutered
• Territorial behavior
• Starting to pee and poop indoors
• Displaying aggressive behavior towards people or other dogs

Socialization is especially important during the first six months, as this period sets the foundation for the rest of a pup’s life. During this time, puppies learn to interact with family members, strangers, other animals, and their environment. 

If puppies miss out on appropriate socialization during these early months, they may suffer from anxiety or fear-related issues down the road. This could manifest itself in behaviors such as barking, growling at people or other animals, running away when approached by strangers, and general nervousness or skittishness.

Advanced dog training can help to prevent these issues by teaching proper socialization skills and providing a safe space for puppies to explore new experiences. Through positive reinforcement, appropriate social cues can be taught while helping puppies become comfortable with different situations. Puppy school or socials are a fantastic way to socialize your dog.

During the first six months of a pup’s life, they need to learn and develop various life skills, such as:

• Socialization with people and other animals
• Basic obedience commands including sit, stay, and come 
• Potty training 
• How to stay alone for more extended periods  
• Appropriate behaviors during play

These life skills will help your teen pup to allow to be handled, have self-control and calm behavior, display good manners, as well as make good choices.

From a medical standpoint, neutering dogs is recommended for health reasons. The age at which it is most appropriate to neuter varies by breed size and can range from 6 months to 18 months, or later in some cases. For smaller breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Pomeranians, the ideal time to have them neutered is between 6 and 9 months; however, waiting until 12 months is acceptable. 

For larger breeds, such as labrador retrievers and German shepherds, a more appropriate window for neutering would be between 9-18 months of age. Ultimately, the decision on when to neuter should be made in consultation with a veterinarian who can best assess the dog’s needs based on health history and breed characteristics.

To determine when small and large dogs have reached adulthood, it is essential to look at the average age of maturity for each breed. Smaller breeds tend to reach maturity faster than larger breeds, with an average age of around one year. Larger breeds may take up to two years or more to fully mature. 

Generally speaking, a dog is considered an adult once it has finished growing and reached its full size. Additional signs that may indicate your dog has reached adulthood include changes in behavior, increased focus and independence, less playfulness, and improved obedience.

Taking your pup to puppy socials is a great way to keep them active and engaged. Puppy socials typically involve puppies meeting, playing, and interacting with other pups in a supervised environment with a trainer. (In other words, not at your local dog park or dog bar.)

Puppy socials help promote appropriate play behavior, provide crucial mental stimulation, and help puppies bond with other dogs of all breeds and sizes. These socials also allow puppies to become accustomed to new people, sights, smells, noises, and environments – all important for their future development. 

Attending puppy socials can also reduce the chances of behavioral issues such as aggression and fearfulness later in life. Continue these as long as you can, while maintaining a safe environment.

Even though a pup’s first year is complete, it is important to remember that routine care is still essential for developing dogs. During this period of growth, pups need regular vet visits to assess overall health and development fully. 

Routine preventive care will help spot potential health issues or risks early on, allowing for the best treatment options. Follow the vaccination schedule, and don’t miss important milestones!

Additionally, proper nutrition and exercise routines should continue during this time to ensure the pup is growing and developing optimally. While the first year may be done, forming healthy habits will help keep your pup happy and healthy for years. Choosing the right nutrition plan is essential for growing puppies, and your vet can help you determine what’s best.

Staying on top of grooming needs to be a priority. Establish a home grooming routine and practice trimming nails with treats. Some breeds require a bit more help! Your vet can help you determine an ideal grooming routine. They will also recommend the best flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives, many of which are given monthly. 

Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to puppies. Avoid big changes and slowly transition your new buddy to a good hygiene routine. 

A puppy is an exciting and rewarding addition to any household, providing companionship, loyalty, and unconditional love. With the proper care and training, your puppy can become a beloved family member for many years. By following the tips in this guide, you can ensure your puppy has the best start possible.