You'll need a few things before you bring home your new pup:

• Puppy food
• Leash and collar with tags that include your phone number and your vet's
• Water and food bowls
• Dog bed
• Grooming brushes
• Folding gate or crate to keep your puppy in one area
• Chew toys

Like babies, puppies explore with their mouths. To keep them safe, you'll need to do a few things before bringing your puppy home.

• Move breakables and electrical cords from doggy level.
• Close low windows.
• Lock away cleaning supplies, motor oil and antifreeze, and medications.
• Get a securely covered garbage can for trash.

Like babies, puppies explore with their mouths. To keep them safe, you'll need to do a few things before bringing your puppy home.

• Move breakables and electrical cords from doggy level.
• Close low windows.
• Lock away cleaning supplies, motor oil and antifreeze, and medications.
• Get a securely covered garbage can for trash.

Puppies need food specially designed for their smaller bodies. That's because a growing puppy needs more protein and calories than an adult dog. The food is also easier on a puppy's smaller mouth and weaker jaw. Don't forget that puppies also need plenty of fresh, clean water.

Even if your puppy has a great yard, you'll need to take them for walks. Walks give dogs physical and mental exercise. It lets them interact with other dogs they meet along the way. Plus it lets them leave scent markings, which dogs like to do. Try to get at least 60 minutes a day, broken into two to four walks. And make sure your pet is properly vaccinated to avoid picking up an illness while out and about.

As much as kids and dogs love to play together, a puppy is still learning the ropes and may play roughly. There's also the chance that rowdy kids could play too hard with their pup. Watch puppies and kids at all times so they both stay safe.

Care for Your Puppy's Coat and Claws

Brush your pup's coat daily. It will help them get used to grooming. Talk to your vet about the right brush for your dog's breed. Keep their nails short, as too-long nails can stress a dog's wrist joints as well as hurt people and furniture. Trim nail tips weekly starting when your pup is young so they'll be OK with clipping. Your vet can show you how.  

Watch the Table Scraps

It's a bad idea to feed your puppy from your plate. Begging is a hard habit to break! More important, some foods can be toxic to dogs, including grapes, raisins, alcohol, garlic, onions, avocados, salt, and chocolate.

Chocolate and Dogs

Dogs have a hard time breaking down one of the key parts of chocolate.  Baking chocolate is the most dangerous type of chocolate for your dog. Though a little bit of white or milk chocolate might not hurt, dogs tend to eat whatever food is around. So remove temptation and keep chocolatey things away from your puppy or dog. 

Watch Plants and Your Puppy

Puppies like to chew on everything, including yard and house plants. Some plants -- including lily of the valley, oleander, azalea, yew, foxglove, rhododendron, rhubarb leaves, and shamrock -- are risky for dogs. If you think your puppy has eaten a poisonous plant, call your vet right away.

6-9 Weeks Old: Time for Vaccines

Vaccinations can help your puppy stay healthy. At 6-9 weeks it's time to get them vaccinated against distemper, parainfluenza, canine hepatitis, and parvovirus. At 12-16 weeks it's time to get them rabies shot. Other vaccine choices depend on your puppy's risks, so talk to your vet for advice.

Fight Fleas

It takes just one flea to start the flea cycle in your home. Signs your puppy may have fleas include flea "dirt" (tiny black flea droppings), mild redness, severe scratching, and skin infections. To fight fleas, ask your vet for flea control that's safe for puppies. Treat all pets in the house for fleas, not just the one that may have them.

Get Rid of Puppy's Parasites

Your puppy will probably need deworming medication at their first vet visit. This is a good idea for their and your health since some dog parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, can also pass to people. Nearly all puppies have roundworms and hookworms (magnified here). Intestinal parasites are potentially deadly to your pup if untreated.

16-24 Weeks Old: Spay or Neuter

More than 6 million dogs and cats find their way into shelters every year. That's why it's a great idea to spay or neuter your puppy. Spaying can be done as early as 2 months old, but most vets wait until age 4 to 6 months. If cost is a problem, call your local humane society or shelter.

How to Tell When Your Puppy Is Sick

Dogs often won't show it when they're feeling bad. They do their best to stay social when their owners are around. You may notice some common signs of illness in puppies and dogs, such as not eating, eating less, vomiting, coughing, sneezing, fever, diarrhea, or sleeping more. If you see any of these signs, call your vet.

 

How to Pick a Vet

Ask friends for recommendations. Once you have a few names, visit each clinic. Pick one that's well-managed and looks and smells clean. The vet should listen to you and answer all your questions. Is the staff friendly? Just as with your own doctor, be sure you feel comfortable with the vet you choose.

Puppies don't stay little for long! It's a special time that you'll treasure long after your puppy grows up. So make every day count for you and your little one with plenty of love, appropriate discipline, and play!