Bringing home a puppy is exciting, heart-melting, and let’s be honest, a little overwhelming. From feeding and training to socialisation and vet visits, your puppy’s first year lays the foundation for their lifelong health and behaviour.
If you’re a new puppy parent (or preparing to become one), this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to raise a confident, well-balanced, and healthy dog.
Preparing for Your New Puppy
Before your puppy arrives, make sure your home is ready.
Puppy Essentials Checklist
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Comfortable bed
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Food and water bowls
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High-quality puppy food
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Collar, harness, and lead
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Puppy-safe toys
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Puppy pads (if toilet training indoors)
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Crate (optional but helpful for training)
Puppy-proof your home by removing electrical cords, toxic plants, and small objects that could be swallowed.
Puppy Feeding: What Should You Feed a Puppy?
Nutrition is one of the most important factors in your puppy’s growth and development.
What Puppies Need in Their Diet
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High-quality protein for muscle growth
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Healthy fats for brain development
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Balanced calcium and phosphorus for bone strength
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Essential vitamins and minerals
Puppies need more frequent meals than adult dogs, usually 3–4 meals per day until about six months of age.
Puppy Food
Many owners are now choosing fresh, gently cooked meals made with real meat and vegetables. Bowls slow cooked dog food can:
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Be easier to digest
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Support healthy stool quality
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Encourage picky eaters
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Provide higher moisture content
Whatever you choose, ensure the food is formulated for puppies and meets recognised nutritional standards.
Puppy Vaccinations & Vet Visits
Your puppy will need:
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Core vaccinations (as recommended by your vet)
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Regular deworming
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Flea and tick prevention
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Microchipping
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Desexing discussions (timing depends on breed and vet advice)
- Pet registration (price may vary across the states)
Regular vet visits during the first year are essential for monitoring growth and development.
Puppy Training Basics
Training starts the day your puppy comes home.
Focus on:
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Toilet training
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Name recognition
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Basic commands (sit, stay, come)
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Positive reinforcement
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Crate training (if using one)
Short, consistent sessions work best. Puppies have short attention spans, so keep training fun and reward-based.
Puppy Socialisation
The first few months are critical for social development.
Expose your puppy safely to:
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Different people
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Various sounds and environments
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Other vaccinated dogs
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Car rides
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Grooming and handling
Proper socialisation reduces fear and behavioural issues later in life.
Exercise Needs for Puppies
Puppies are full of energy, but they still need structured rest.
A general rule:
5 minutes of exercise per month of age, twice daily.
For example, a 3-month-old puppy can handle about 15 minutes of structured exercise at a time.
Avoid over-exercising large breed puppies, as their joints are still developing.
Common Puppy Challenges
1. Teething
Puppies chew to relieve discomfort. Provide safe chew toys and redirect biting behaviour.
2. Night-Time Crying
This is normal in the first week. Keep their sleeping area comfortable and reassuring.
3. Separation Anxiety
Gradually introduce alone time to build independence.
Building a Healthy Routine
Puppies thrive on structure. Establish:
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Regular feeding times
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Daily walk or play sessions
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Consistent toilet breaks
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Quiet nap periods
Routine helps puppies feel secure and speeds up training progress.
When Does a Puppy Become an Adult?
Most dogs reach adulthood between 12-18 months, depending on breed size. Small breeds mature faster, while large and giant breeds take longer to fully develop.
Raising a puppy takes patience, consistency, and plenty of love. The early months may feel busy, but they’re also the most rewarding. With proper nutrition, training, socialisation, and vet care, your puppy will grow into a happy, confident companion.
The time you invest now shapes the dog they’ll become.
