Congratulations! You’ve welcomed a new puppy into your home, and your hearts are filled to the brim with love.

With their soft fur, goofy antics, and hilariously huge paws, puppies are a bit like living with a real-life teddy bear. But it’s not all excitable zoomies and doggy snuggles – here’s the 101 on keeping your new best friend safe, happy and healthy, so you can enjoy all the fun adventures ahead.

Feeding your puppy

Growing puppies have big nutritional needs, so a high-quality puppy food designed for their age, breed size and stage of development will help support healthy growth, brain development and strong bones.

Young puppies need smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day, gradually reducing as they grow, and fresh water should always be available.

And while those puppy-dog eyes can be very convincing, be careful with treats and human food – some foods that are harmless to us can be dangerous for dogs.

If you’re unsure what or how much to feed, your vet can help you create a plan that suits your pup.

Training your puppy

Puppies are like tiny furry toddlers: curious, energetic, and still figuring out how the world works.

Start with the basics: toilet training, learning their name, simple commands like sit and stay, and helping them understand what’s okay to chew – and what isn’t.

Consistency and positive reinforcement works wonders (pro tip: it always pays to have a treat in your pocket).

Socialisation is just as important, which is why we recommend introducing your puppy to new people, sounds, places and experiences to help them grow into a confident, well-adjusted adult dog.

We host a Puppy Preschool program here at My Family Vet where your puppy can build confidence and good habits early – discover more and book your spot here.

Puppy-proofing your home

Puppies are curious critters and love exploring the world with their paws, noses and mouths.

A good exercise before your little one arrives is getting down to puppy height and taking a look around your home, as electrical cords, shoes, children’s toys, cleaning products, medications, and anything small enough to swallow can easily become hazards.

If you have indoor plants, it’s worth checking whether they’re pet-safe, as some common varieties can be toxic to dogs. Make sure fences and gates are puppy-proof and can withstand determined little escape artists.

And of course, stock up on chew toys – because when your pup gets the urge to chew, you don’t want your favourite sandals to be first in the firing line.

Early health matters

In your puppy’s first few months, vaccinations are important to protect against diseases, while parasite prevention will help keep fleas, ticks and worms at bay. Microchipping is also essential for ensuring your puppy can be identified if they ever wander off.

Regular vet visits are also a great chance to track your puppy’s growth, discuss desexing, chat about behaviour, and ask all those “is this normal?” questions every new puppy parent has.

Every pup is different, and as yours grows, you’ll become more familiar with their personality and temperament.

If you have any questions about puppy life and need to talk to a trusted expert, the My Family Vet team is always here.

Happy puppy parenting – you’ve got this. We can’t wait to meet your new arrival in the clinic soon.