What should I buy before bringing my new puppy home?

You'll need essentials like food and water bowls, a collar and leash, puppy food, a crate, toys, and grooming supplies to make your new puppy feel at home.

How often should I feed my new puppy?

Young puppies typically eat three to four times per day. It's important to follow your veterinarian's recommendations based on your puppy's age and breed.

When should I start housebreaking my puppy?

You can start housebreaking your puppy as early as 8 weeks old. Consistency, routine potty breaks, and positive reinforcement are key to success.

How soon should I take my new puppy to the vet?

Schedule a vet visit within the first few days of bringing your puppy home. Your vet will perform a health check, administer vaccines, and discuss care routines.

How do I help my puppy sleep through the night?

Establish a bedtime routine, offer a safe sleeping space like a crate, and avoid late-night feedings. A warm blanket and some quiet time help your puppy relax.

I just brought home a new puppy and have lots of questions! What are the most common concerns and how do I handle them?

New puppy owners often ask about housebreaking, feeding schedules, crate training, socialization, and teething. It's important to establish routines, use positive reinforcement, and stay consistent. Visit our New Puppy Questions guide for detailed answers and expert advice!

New Puppy Questions: The Ultimate Guide for First-Time Owners

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting experience, but it also comes with plenty of challenges. From training and feeding to socialization and health care, new puppy owners often have a lot of questions. In this guide, we answer the most frequently asked new puppy questions to help you navigate the early months of puppy ownership with confidence.

💖In our articles below, you will find tips and information on:

What Supplies Do I Need for a New Puppy?
How Do I Puppy-Proof My Home?
What should I feed my new puppy, how often and can I give them treats?
How Do I Potty Train my puppy and how long does it take?
How Do I stop my puppy from biting?
When Do I start obedience Training?
When Should I socialize my new puppy to people and other dogs?
When Should I take my new puppy to the vet?
What vaccinations does my new puppy need?
How Do I prevent fleas and ticks?
How Do I bathe my puppy and clean its teeth and nails?
When Will my puppy sleep through the night?
When Will my puppy stop teething?
When Should I switch my new puppy to adult dog food?

🐶 Preparing for Your New Puppy

⭐ What Supplies Do I Need for a New Puppy

Before bringing your puppy home, make sure you have the following essentials:

✅ High-quality puppy food (wise to start with what you breeder/rescue was feeding to avoid tummy upset)
✅ Food and water bowls (we recommend high-quality stainless steel)
✅ Crate and bedding
✅ Collar, leash, and ID tags (we recommend a martingale collar or harness for walking only)
✅ Puppy-safe chew toys (no rubber toys or rawhide; get nylabones and fleecy teething toys)
✅ Grooming supplies (brush, shampoo, nail clippers)
✅ Puppy pads or outdoor potty training supplies
✅ Read our Puppy’s First Night at Home page for more information about your new puppy.
✅ Find all of the New Puppy Essential Items that you will need at this link.

⭐ How Do I Puppy-Proof My Home?

Puppies love to explore, so it’s important to puppy-proof your home to keep them safe:

🔹 Remove small objects they could swallow.
🔹 Secure electrical cords and outlets.
🔹 Block off areas you don’t want your puppy to access.
🔹 Keep toxic plants, cleaning supplies, and human food out of reach.

🐶 Feeding and Nutrition

⭐What Should I Feed My Puppy?

Your puppy’s diet should include high-quality puppy food that provides the right balance of nutrients. Look for brands that are AAFCO-approved and consult your veterinarian to ensure the food meets your puppy’s specific needs.

Read our Healthy Dog Diet page for information about feeding your dog properly.

⭐ How Often Should I Feed My Puppy?

Puppies need to eat more frequently than adult dogs to support their growth. Follow this general feeding schedule:

🦴 8–12 weeks old: 4 meals per day
🦴 3–6 months old: 3 meals per day
🦴 6–12 months old: 2 meals per day

⭐ Can I Give My Puppy Treats?

Yes, but limit treats to no more than 10% of their daily calories. Choose healthy, puppy-safe treats and avoid human foods like chocolate, onions, and grapes, which are toxic to dogs.

🐶 Potty Training Your New Puppy

⭐ How Do I Potty Train My Puppy?

Follow these steps for successful puppy potty training:

✅ Take your puppy outside frequently (every 1–2 hours).
✅Reward them with praise and treats when they go potty outside.
✅ Establish a consistent schedule for meals and bathroom breaks.
✅ Supervise them indoors and use a crate to prevent accidents.
✅ Clean accidents with an enzyme-based cleaner to remove odors.
✅ You can use Dog Potty Pads for your dog if the weather is bad outside.

⭐ How Long Does Potty Training Take?

Potty training can take a few weeks to several months, depending on the breed, consistency, and individual puppy. Most puppies are fully house-trained by 4–6 months.

⭐ Read our Puppy Housebreaking page for tips and information on housebreaking a puppy.

🐶 Puppy Behavior and Training

⭐ How Do I Stop My New Puppy from Biting?

Puppies naturally explore with their mouths, but nipping can be controlled:

✅ Say “Ouch!” in a firm voice to startle them.
Redirect biting to a chew toy.
Reward gentle play with treats and praise.
Avoid rough play that encourages biting.

⭐ How Do I Crate Train My New Puppy?

Crate training helps with potty training and provides a safe space for your puppy:

Choose a crate large enough for them to stand and turn around.
Make it comfortable with bedding and toys.
Introduce the crate gradually by feeding meals inside.
Start with short crate periods and increase over time.

⭐ When Should I Start Obedience Training?

You can start basic training as early as 8 weeks old. Focus on commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “leave it.” Use positive reinforcement (treats and praise) to encourage good behavior.

⭐ Read our Obedience Training page for tips and information on training your dog.

🐶 New Puppy Socialization

⭐ When Should I Socialize My Puppy?

The critical socialization period is between 8 and 16 weeks old. Expose your puppy to new people, sounds, environments, and other dogs in a positive way. Make sure your dog has had his shots started and your veterinarian thinks your dog has enough immunity to diseases that they can venture out to new places. We do recommend that you do not take your pup to dog parks until they have received the entire series of puppy shots to avoid illness.

⭐ How Do I Introduce My Puppy to Other Dogs?

Choose a neutral location for introductions.
Keep both dogs on a leash and allow them to sniff each other.
Watch for positive body language (wagging tails, relaxed posture).
Separate them if they show signs of stress or aggression.

🐶 Puppy Health and Vet Care

⭐ What Vaccinations Does My New Puppy Need?

Your puppy will need core vaccinations, including:

Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus (DHPP)
Rabies (required by law)
Optional vaccines (Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease)

Read our American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA Vaccination Schedule page for detailed recommended vaccination schedules for puppies and adult dogs.

Check with your vet for a personalized puppy vaccination schedule.

⭐ When Should I Take My New Puppy to the Vet?

Your first vet visit should be scheduled within a week of bringing your puppy home. After that, routine checkups are recommended every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks old, then annually.

⭐ How Do I Prevent Fleas and Ticks on my New Puppy?

Start preventative flea and tick treatment at your vet’s recommendation. Regularly check your puppy’s fur and keep their bedding clean.

🐶 Puppy Grooming and Hygiene

⭐ How Often Should I Bathe My Puppy?

Bathe your puppy every 3–4 weeks or as needed. Overbathing can strip natural oils from their skin. Use a puppy-safe shampoo.

⭐ When Should I Start Brushing My Puppy’s Teeth?

Start brushing your puppy’s teeth as soon as they arrive home. Use a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste to prevent dental disease.

⭐ How Do I Trim My Puppy’s Nails?

Trim nails every 2–3 weeks using a nail clipper or grinder. A dremel grinder can be an easy and useful tool for nail trimming. Be careful not to cut the quick, as it can cause bleeding.

⭐ Read our Dog Grooming page for tips and information on grooming your puppy.

🐶 Life with Your Growing Puppy

⭐ When Will My New Puppy Sleep Through the Night?

Most puppies start sleeping through the night by 3–4 months old. Establish a bedtime routine and ensure they get enough exercise during the day.

⭐ When Will My Puppy Stop Teething?

Puppies lose their baby teeth and finish teething by 6 months old. Provide safe chew toys to help with discomfort.

⭐ When Should I Switch My Puppy to Adult Dog Food?

Transition to adult food between 12–18 months old, depending on breed size. Large breeds may need longer on puppy food for proper growth.

🐶 Final Thoughts

Raising a puppy takes patience, but with the right training, care, and socialization, your pup will grow into a well-behaved and happy dog. If you have more new puppy questions, consult your veterinarian or a professional trainer.

For more information on finding the perfect puppy for your lifestyle, visit our alphabetical Dog Breeds Directory with complete information about each breed of dog.

American Veterinary Medical Association

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