How to Raise a Puppy: Tips for New Pet Parents

Puppies are arguably the cutest creatures on the planet, but let’s face it — raising a well-adjusted, happy puppy is a big undertaking. It demands a lot of time, tons of patience, and a commitment to ongoing training, socialization, and care — not to mention, cleaning up an accident (or 20). 

But, with the right knowledge and tools, raising a puppy can be done effectively (and without driving you bananas). This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge needed to confidently navigate the journey of puppy parenthood.  

Preparing for your puppy’s arrival

Getting ready to welcome a new puppy into your home is akin to gearing up for the arrival of a human baby (well, almost). Here’s a checklist of what to do and have ready before your puppy’s arrival: 

Puppy-proof your home

Because of puppies’ innate curiosity, it’s crucial to puppy-proof your living space before their arrival. This involves eliminating any potential hazards that could pose a risk to their wellbeing. Take a thorough inventory of your home, identifying, removing, and hiding hazardous items, such as: 

• Toxic plants

• Small objects that could be swallowed

• Electrical cords (puppies love chewing on these) 

• Household chemicals

• Toxic foods (chocolate, grapes, anything with xylitol, etc.) 

Stock up on essential supplies  

You’ll need to have several essential items on hand before your puppy’s arrival. This includes: 

• Food and water bowls 

• High-quality puppy food and dog treats 

• Collar with ID tag 

• Leash and harness 

• A dog bed 

• Toys 

• Crate or puppy pen

• Puppy-safe shampoo 

• Pet-safe home cleaner 

Determine house rules

Decide on house rules for your puppy from the beginning, and ensure that everyone in your living space is on the same page. Establish areas where your puppy is allowed to go and areas that are off-limits. Consistency is key to helping your pup understand what is expected of them.

Socializing your puppy

How do you raise a confident, friendly puppy? Puppy socialization is the golden ticket. Below are some basic puppy socialization guidelines: 

Create positive experiences

The overall plan is to slowly introduce your puppy to different noises, sights, smells, people, places, and experiences. The goal is to teach them to be calm, confident, and well-behaved in a wide variety of situations. The key, though, is to make the experiences enjoyable for your puppy. It doesn’t do any good to expose them to, say, a room full of very loud children who pull on your puppy’s ears — that’s terrifying and not effective socializing. 

Reward the good

As you expose your puppy to different stimuli, praise them and reward them with treats for calm, positive responses. 

Don’t feed into fear

If your puppy responds fearfully to anything new, remove them from the situation. But, avoid reassuring them, as reassurance is a form of praise. You don’t want to praise them for acting scared; this will reinforce the fearful behavior. 

Fearful body language to watch out for includes a tucked tail, trembling, lying down or hunching over and not wanting to move, and pulling on their leash to try to escape.

Redirect undesirable behavior

If your puppy acts poorly (jumping up, barking, growling, etc.) during a socialization exercise, move away from the trigger. You can try again later or the next day, but take it slower, starting from further away. Praise your puppy for positive responses and gradually move closer until they’re immersed in the situation and remain calm.

Now for some socialization exercises. For each exercise, reward your puppy for any positive or appropriately friendly response.

• Noises: Play audios of various noises: doorbells ringing, vacuum cleaners running, doors slamming, music playing, dogs barking, cats meowing, etc. These can be found on YouTube. Start at a low volume and, over time, raise it to a real-life level. 

• Places: Take car rides or walks to visit friends, pet supply stores, parks, beaches, dog-friendly cafes — everywhere and anywhere dogs are allowed.

• People: Try introducing your puppy to at least one new person daily for the first few weeks: a store clerk, the mailman, your neighbors, your neighbors’ kids, friends, family, strangers walking down the street, etc. Start by just standing near the person and then, once they’re comfy, you can allow the people to feed the pup treats while petting them. 

• Other animals: Puppy socialization class is a great place to introduce your dog to other dogs. These classes provide structured opportunities for puppies to interact with other puppies in a controlled environment. This supports their social development and helps them learn appropriate behaviors.

Vaccines and vet care 

Animals adopted from shelters and rescues typically have undergone a wellness exam, have been spayed or neutered, and come with microchips and up-to-date vaccinations. But, if you adopt from a private party, you’ll probably be responsible for getting your puppy all of the above. 

Regardless, you’ll want to schedule your pup’s first veterinary appointment shortly after bringing them home. This initial visit serves to complete their core vaccinations, address other health needs, check their overall health, and establish care with a local clinic. Learn how to choose a good vet for your puppy here. 

Note: Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines and a first deworming at least seven days before their first puppy socialization class. You should also make sure the puppy class screens for vaccinations prior to admission. Puppies should be kept away from areas where other dogs frequent (parks, trails, busy streets, etc.) until a week after they’re fully vaccinated. 

Housetraining and basic puppy training

Housetraining your puppy (aka teaching your puppy to pee and poop in appropriate places) is one of the first and most important tasks as a new dog parent. Here are some key steps to successful housetraining:

Have a consistent schedule.

Stick to a regular schedule for bathroom breaks. Predictable routines help your puppy learn when and where they should do their business, promoting better bladder and bowel control. Puppies typically need to go shortly after waking up, after eating or drinking, after playing or exercising, and just before bedtime. 

Make a designated potty area.

Choose a specific area outside where you want your puppy to pee and poop. Take them to this spot each time they need to go, using a consistent verbal cue like “go potty” to encourage them.

Use positive reinforcement.

When your puppy uses the designated area, praise them and offer a treat as a reward. Positive reinforcement helps your puppy associate peeing and pooping outside with good things, encouraging them to repeat the behavior.

Supervise them, and confine them when you can’t.

Keep a close eye on your puppy when they’re indoors. Use baby gates or a crate to confine them to a smaller area when you can’t supervise them closely, gradually expanding their freedom as they demonstrate reliability.

Clean accidents promptly.

Accidents will happen, and it’s important to clean them up quickly and thoroughly to remove any lingering scent that might attract your puppy back to the same spot. Use an enzymatic cleaner designed specifically for pet messes.

Avoid punishment.

Do not scold or punish your puppy for accidents. Punishment can create fear and anxiety, hinder the housetraining process, and damage the bond between you. 

Undertake basic puppy training. 

Basic puppy training lays the foundation for good behavior and helps strengthen your relationship with your pet. Start with name recognition, leash training, and simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “leave it.” Gradually increase the difficulty as your puppy progresses. 

How to raise a puppy while working

Can you raise a puppy while working full-time? It’s undeniably challenging, but with proper planning and some tweaks, it’s possible. Here are some things to consider:   

Plan for potty breaks.

Puppies have small bladders and need frequent bathroom breaks — at least every two hours. If you’ll be away from home for a considerate chunk of time, you’ll need to hire a dog walker or ask a trusted friend or neighbor to stop by and let your puppy out for a potty break. 

Enroll in puppy daycare

If your finances allow, enrolling your puppy in a reputable puppy daycare facility can provide valuable socialization opportunities and supervised playtime while you’re at work. 

Split time.

If you have a spouse or friend who’s willing to share the responsibilities of caring for your puppy, consider dividing the day into shifts. This way, one person can attend to the puppy’s needs while the other is at work, ensuring that your puppy receives the necessary care and attention throughout the day.

Work from home.

If your job allows for remote work, consider working from home at least part of the time. This will enable you to supervise your puppy, take them out for bathroom breaks, and provide companionship during the day.

Crate train.

Crate training can help keep your puppy safe and out of trouble while you’re at work. But, puppies should not be crated for more than three to four hours at a time. 

As your dog ages, you’ll likely be able to confidently leave them alone for longer stretches. But, regardless of age, be sure you have the time and resources to provide your dog with the love, attention, and care they need and deserve.

What to expect in costs and time commitment

How much does it cost to raise a puppy? The ASPCA estimates the initial expenses of getting a puppy to be $1,030. This includes the cost of spaying/neutering, microchipping, initial vaccines, socialization classes, and essential supplies like a collar, leash, crate, food bowls, etc. 

After those initial bills, they estimate the annual cost of raising one dog to be $1,391. This includes food, routine medical expenses, preventative medication, toys, treats, health insurance, boarding, and grooming supplies. This figure does not include additional costs due to medical emergencies or illnesses. 

As for time, raising a puppy can feel like having a second job (except you’re paid in urine, slobber, and cuddles). It requires a significant time commitment, especially during the early stages of housetraining, socialization, and basic obedience training. Plan to spend at least three hours daily (spread them out across the day) to meet your puppy’s physical, emotional, and behavioral needs. 

Commonly asked questions

How difficult is it to raise a puppy?

Raising a puppy can be challenging and requires time, patience, consistency, and dedication. Puppies need training, socialization, and constant supervision, similar to caring for a young child. 

How long does it take to raise a puppy?

Puppies usually reach maturity between 12 and 24 months old, and basic training, and socialization is typically completed within this timeframe. But ongoing training, socialization, and care are necessary throughout a dog’s life. 

What should I feed my puppy, and how often?

Feed your puppy a high-quality puppy food in small, frequent meals throughout the day — typically three to four times a day for young puppies. As they grow, you can gradually transition to feeding them larger meals twice a day.

How to raise a puppy in an apartment? 

If you live in an apartment or another small living space, opt for space-saving puppy supplies, such as a collapsible or foldable dog crate, and make strategic use of your storage space. Also, be sure your puppy gets enough outdoor exercise to prevent restlessness. 

Ready to welcome a new puppy into your home and heart? Use Adopt a Pet’s customizable search tool to find your new best friend.

How much exercise does a puppy need? 

The amount and type of physical exercise a puppy needs varies depending on the puppy’s size, breed, and health. But, in general, veterinary researchers recommend that puppies walk for five minutes multiplied by every month of their age, twice a day (i.e., 15 minutes twice a day for a three-month-old puppy). 

References

Cutting Pet Care Costs 

How to crate train your puppy

How Much Mental and Physical Exercise Do Puppies Need? 

Recommendations for New Puppy Owners: Veterinary Care 

When Should You Start Training Your Puppy?