How to Give Your New Puppy the Warmest Welcome

Congratulations on bringing a new puppy home! We’re sure you are ecstatic to begin this new relationship. However, it is important that you consider this situation from your puppy’s perspective. Your pup has just been separated from their mother, their siblings and the only other humans they’ve ever known. Besides, your pup is also being introduced to a completely new and unfamiliar environment, and all of this together can be quite puzzling for them. You can expect your pup to sleep through most of the day, chew on anything they can get their paws on and even cry occasionally. It will take approximately two to three weeks for your new puppy to settle in and feel at home. In the meantime, you could consider the following puppy care, puppy food and puppy grooming suggestions to make the transition easier for them:

Puppy-proof your home

The first and most important thing to do is to puppy-proof your home. This includes getting rid of potentially poisonous houseplants, securing the trash can, covering and securing loose cords, keeping shoes and breakable items stored away, keeping the toilet lid down at all times, and keeping pills, soaps and detergents out of reach.

Pick a name

Of course, you’ve got to pick a name for your new puppy! We recommend you wait till you bring your pup home and decide on a name together as a family. For inspiration, you could observe your pup’s features and personality traits, or pick a name from a movie or literature that you have a positive association with. Try to pick a name that ends with a vowel, has two syllables and is free of any negative connotations.

Let your pup explore

Puppies are natural explorers, so let your pup take a whiff of every corner of the house. As mentioned above, keep away things that you don’t want chewed on or broken.  Stay with your pup while they explore their environment and do not leave them alone for too long. In the first few days, your puppy might feel lonely and even cry. No matter how difficult it is for you, try not to comfort them each time this happens.

Visit the vet

Schedule an appointment with a vet for a complete health evaluation of your new puppy. The vet will give you important medical advice and also create a vaccination plan. It is very important that you follow the schedule and get your pup vaccinated in due time.

Things your new puppy will need:

Food and water bowls

Your pup will need two bowls, one for meals and the other for water. Make sure to pick bowls that are right for your pup’s size. Always make fresh drinking water available for your pup at all times.

Identification (Collar, ID, Leash)

When your pup is ready to go on walks outside, you will need to invest in a collar as well as a leash that is made of a resistant material. Remember not to fasten the collar too tightly or pull and roughly tug at the leash while walking. An ID tag with your name and contact information is extremely crucial in case your pup ever goes missing.

Teething toy

You’ve kept the shoes away, so it’s only fair that you give your teething puppy a toy to chew on. A good teething toy promotes dental health by giving your pooch’s teeth and gums a good massage. At the right age, you can also introduce your pup to chew treats like Pedigree Jumbone Mini and Dentastix.

Brush for grooming

Every dog benefits from grooming and it is best to establish the habit of brushing in puppyhood. Conduct your research to find out what brush works best for your pup, depending on their breed. You should also check in with your vet about the optimum frequency of bathing, brushing, oral care and general grooming.

Puppy food

Pups require special puppy food with Vitamin E to help support their defenses, DHA to enhance brain function, calcium and phosphorus to help strengthen their bones and fibre to support digestive health. While a simple mix of curd, rice and vegetables might satiate hunger, it severely lacks the essential nutrients your pup needs to grow strong and healthy. There is a wide range of Pedigree puppy food you can choose from to get your pup started—Mother & Pup Starter, Puppy Chicken & Milk as well as Puppy Chicken Chunks In Gravy. For a detailed breakdown on nutrition from 3 weeks to adulthood, click here.

Tip: Dogs should never be fed caffeine, chocolate, grapes, raisins, garlic, onions, macadamia nuts, animal bones, and raw eggs as they can be toxic and cause severe health issues.

Puppy bed

Your pup needs a cosy bed to sleep in, but try and wait until they are over their teething phase. In the interim, you could use a cosy blanket or old sweaters as a temporary fix. Make sure to choose a spot that is quiet and ventilated. 

The first few weeks with a new puppy are the most exciting for pet parents. And while this phase is exciting, it is also the most important as you get to set the tone for your parenting style. Always remember to use a warm and gentle voice when talking to pup. Be firm if they slip up, but refrain from raising your voice or your hands. Set clear rules and boundaries, and make sure everyone in the family sticks to them.

We wish you a very happy and fulfilling pet parenting journey!