Your New Puppy Checklist

You'll find links to practical puppy care tips and tried-and-tested advice, plus all the most up-to-date information you need to take care of your new 'baby' properly.

A new puppy brings a lot of love, fun, tail wagging and slobbery kisses, but..... that adorable little bundle of fur is going to need a lot from you if he is to grow up to be a happy, healthy dog.

Puppy housebreaking, veterinary health care, puppy training, socialization.... there's so much to do when you have a new puppy, and if you're a first-time puppy parent (or it's been a while since you had a young 'un), the ins-and-outs puppy care can seem a bit overwhelming and sometimes even worrying.

To make it all a bit easier, you'll find everything you need to know right here, and I encourage you to read ALL the information on this page and to visit the other puppy care pages/articles suggested in each section, either all at one sitting... or bookmark this page and come back to it to check out individual topics as you need them.

Good luck with your new puppy - enjoy this time because they grow up WAY too fast!

New Puppy Checklist - In The Beginning....

You might be worried because your new puppy won't eat, not sure what behavior is 'normal' and what isn't, or confused about the best way to housebreak your pup.

This section of this New Puppy Checklist will help put your mind at rest and get you off on the right foot.

Click on the header for each section and the links will take you to articles which give you an in-depth look at the most common worries that plague new puppy parents.

• Bringing Home A New Puppy
  Is it normal for my puppy to sleep all the time? Why won't my new pup eat his food? Is my new puppy okay? All these are questions that I get asked over and over again, so I thought I'd put together a quick guide to what to expect during the first week or so with a new pup.This page has the answers you need right now.


• New Puppy Care
  This 6-Step Plan will get you on the right track quickly and easily. It has easy to follow tips and advice on puppy health, diet and nutrition, behavior and training and much more.


• Puppy Development
  Puppies go through stages and phases as they grow, just like human children do. It's always helpful when you know what to expect from your pup at a certain age, that way you're prepared and less likely to panic or think you have a canine delinquent on your hands!
  

  This page explains the 7 Stages of Puppy Development, starting at birth and ending at adulthood - very useful information!



• How To Potty Train A Puppy
  Housebreaking your pup is one of the first, and biggest, challenges you're going to face as a new puppy owner. And it's very important to start out the right way. This page explains the process and gives you all the advice and tips you need to get your pup housebroken quickly and easily. Don't miss this one.

  Click on the following link to sign up for a FREE email course on House Training a Puppy

New Puppy Checklist - Healthy & Happy

Knowing how to pick the right puppy food, what vaccinations he needs, what symptoms may signal illness/disease and what to do in an emergency are vitally important.

Take a look at the following pages featured on this new puppy checklist. You'll find all the puppy health tips and advice you need to keep your little one safe and well. Again - click on the header for each section to learn more.

• Puppy Shots
  Making sure that your pup is up to date with his vaccinations is one of the most important steps in this section of the your New Puppy Checklist. There are many contagious dog illnesses/diseases that your little guy is vulnerable to, and regular puppy shots are the only way to protect him.
  

  Find out which vaccinations your puppy needs, and when he should get them here.



• Puppy Kibble
  What you feed your puppy has a huge impact on his future health and development, so choose wisely. Generic or poor quality puppy foods won't give him what he needs, and could lead to health issues.

  Find out what to look for in a puppy food, and learn more about dog food, ingredients and more on this page.



• Puppy Food Reviews
  It can be tricky to know which puppy food is the best choice for your little one... there are a whole lot of choices out there and no 'one-size-fits-all' solution. Get info. on what goes into some of the most popular brands and help picking the perfect puppy food for your new 'baby' here.


• Dog Illnesses and Diseases
  Knowing what symptoms can spell trouble, and how to tell if your pup may be suffering from a contagious dog illness is very important. It's often not clear-cut with puppies, and only a veterinary exam can make an accurate diagnosis, but having an idea of how to distinguish between a minor problem and a major one could save your puppys' life.

  Get all the information on the most common canine diseases, symptoms, treatment and more here.



• Puppy Worms
  It may surprise you to know that most puppies have worms (usually Roundworms) to begin with! However, reputable breeders usually de-worm their pups several times before they leave for their new homes. It's then up to you to continue to have this done routinely (at the same time as their vaccinations) to complete their protection.

  Learn about the different types of worms, how to recognize them and what to do about them in this article. And while we're on the subject of parasites, check out my Fleas and Ticks page to find out how to prevent your little one from the dangers and discomfort of these nasty little critters!



• Dog First Aid Kit and Treating Dog Wounds
  Puppies get into everything (and I mean, EVERYTHING) and even in the best puppy-proofed homes accidents can, and do, happen.
  If the worst happens, having a canine first aid kit at home can really be a life-saver. These pages tell you how to put together the right dog first aid supplies, and how to use them to treat wounds/injuries and more. Also, I'd recommend visiting my Poisonous Foods and Dog Poisoning pages for life-saving information and telephone numbers.


• Health Insurance For Your Puppy!
  

  Routine and preventative veterinary care doesn't come cheap, but it IS essential. But emergency veterinary care for illness/injury or accident can be horrendously expensive! If your puppy gets really sick, or is injured, you could easily find yourself handing over thousands of dollars to make him well again, and that's a real challenge for most of us.
  

  As you're now reading this New Puppy Checklist, you're obviously committed to giving your new pup the best possible care. You can do that, AND protect yourself from the unexpected financial burden of a health crisis by purchasing pet health insurance. Find out more about this (and learn what questions to ask BEFORE you buy a policy) on this page.

This company offers a range of very flexible options so that you can build a health insurance plan that's exactly right for your dog, and your budget! Free online quote, no obligation.....

New Puppy Checklist - Fun Stuff :o)

Keeping your new puppy safe, healthy and happy can be hard work - but being a new puppy parent is tons of fun too... and you can start here.

• 'Pup of the Month' Photo Contest
  We all love to show off just how cute our puppy is... and of course OUR pup is the most adorable ever! My monthly puppy photo contest is where you can prove it!

  Visit this page to learn more and find links to this months contest, and all the previous ones too. Enjoy!



• The Best New Puppy Gifts

If you're looking for a puppy gift (for your little one or someone else's), my New Puppy Gift pages have a great selection of the best products around. There's something for everyone here.
• The Best Healthy Dog Treats
  Your puppy LOVES treats, but not all treats are created equal! Whether you're looking for dog training treats or just something to say 'I love you!', you'll find what you need right here.

Puppies grow up really fast, so remember to enjoy these puppy weeks too, as he'll be all grown up before you know it.

Start your puppy training off on the right foot (er... paw!), and stop behavior problems before they even start by checking out this excellent dog training resource.....

If you want to be fully prepared to take the very best possible care of your new pup, the Animal Care College can help!

They offer a huge number of distance learning courses on pet care (not just dogs) for pet owners and pet care professionals.

So whether you just want to make extra-sure that you're ready for whatever dog ownership holds, or are looking for a career in companion animal care, check out the link below to learn more...

How To Potty Train A Puppy

How To Train A Puppy

Puppy Health Care

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