Getting a new puppy is a very exciting time for all. With the right help and guidance, you can steer your puppy with developing into the best dog ever! We will explore some of our tips and tricks in order to get your puppy off to the right start.

Tip #1: Socialization

Puppies have a relatively short window of social development so it is very important to get your puppy used to new things right away. This would include positive exposure to the sound of vehicles, bikes, and kids for example. A common concern from clients is the risk of infectious disease as their puppy is not yet completely vaccinated. This is a very valid concern! The risk however of not exposing your puppy to the things we discussed above, could leave with permanent behavioral effects.

Therefore we recommend that after your puppy's first vaccination, start going for regular city/sidewalk walks. Avoid trails, large off-leash areas such as dog parks, and meeting other dogs you are not familiar with. With the advice of your veterinarian, you can start venturing out further as your puppy continues to be vaccinated and build proper immunity.

Tip #2: Crate Training

This is very important for puppy development and is somewhat comparable to a baby's crib. It is very important that the crate is not used for punishment, such as "timeouts". The crate should be a safe place for your puppy where he/she can go and not be bothered.

To get your puppy used to their new space, we recommend that all meals are fed in the crate and when they go into their crate on their own, they should be rewarded with praise. Eating is a pleasurable experience for puppies and combing that experience with the crate will enforce the positivity of the crate. Make plans to go out briefly (even if for just 15 minutes) and leave your puppy in the crate with their favorite toy. This will help reduce separation anxiety that could occur.

Tip #3: Nutrition & Puppy Food

It is so important to feed your puppy a good quality puppy food. As approximately 80% of their immune system is in their gastrointestinal tract, feeding good quality ingredients will help promote the development of a healthy immune system and make your puppy less likely to develop illness. Dogs with a mature weight over 60lbs should be fed a large breed puppy food. By doing so, you can reduce the chances of orthopedic conditions (such as hip dysplasia) from developing. Furthermore, for the first 12 weeks of your puppy's life, treats should only be pieces of their own kibble. Giving different types of rewarding treats can cause stomach upset and result in diarrhea.

Tip #4: Now's the time to consider pet insurance

Hopefully, your puppy has received a complete and thorough check-up from your veterinarian and is perfectly healthy. Signing up for pet insurance at this time, allows you to prove to the insurance company that there are no pre-existing conditions that would cause reduced coverage for your puppy. Many good pet insurance companies offer a free 30-day trial period so it would be best to benefit from this trial.

Tip #5: Think about the dog you want

For some people, this is their first pet and for others, this isn't the case, and have had dogs in the past. Take your previous experiences to reflect on what you would have changed with your previous pets. Or, think about your friend's dog and what you like and what you don't.

For example, if you don't like when dogs jump on people, take the time now, during puppyhood to teach your dog not to jump on people. Another example would be begging. If begging behavior is not something you would want in your dog, make sure your puppy never has access to human food. They will quickly learn that it means nothing to them they are eating supper.

We hope this article helps you and gives some tips on how to make the best decisions for your puppy. Last final tip: Enjoy your time with your puppy! Time goes so fast and before you know it, you will be celebrating their 1st birthday!