Puppy Care Guide

Housing & crate training

• Choose a crate sized so the puppy can stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably — not much bigger, or it defeats the den effect used for house training
• For growing breeds, buy an adult-sized crate with a divider panel rather than replacing crates as the puppy grows
• Introduce the crate gradually with treats and short positive sessions before expecting the puppy to sleep in it overnight
• Never use the crate as punishment — it should be a safe, calm space the puppy chooses to enter
• Expect several nighttime bathroom wake-ups in the first weeks; very young puppies can't hold their bladder through a full night

Feeding schedule & food transitions

• Feed a food specifically labelled for puppies (or 'all life stages') — adult dog food doesn't have the calorie and nutrient density growing puppies need
• Typical schedule: 4 meals/day at 8-12 weeks, 3 meals/day at 3-6 months, transitioning to 2 meals/day by around 6 months
• When switching foods, mix old and new gradually over 7-10 days to avoid digestive upset
• Follow the feeding guide on the food bag as a starting point and adjust based on body condition, not just weight
• Avoid free-feeding (leaving food out all day) during house training — scheduled meals make bathroom timing predictable

Socialization window (first 3 months)

• The primary socialization window is roughly 3 to 14 weeks of age — experiences (positive and negative) during this period have an outsized effect on adult temperament
• Aim to expose the puppy to a wide variety of people, dogs, sounds, surfaces, and environments in a controlled, positive way
• Balance socialization with vaccination status — many vets support supervised socialization (like puppy classes on sanitized surfaces) before the vaccine series is fully complete, but confirm the approach with your vet
• Keep early experiences positive and low-pressure; a single bad experience during this window can create lasting fear
• Continue socialization past 14 weeks — the window narrows but doesn't slam shut

Core vaccination schedule

• Puppies typically start their vaccine series around 6-8 weeks of age with a combination vaccine covering distemper, parvovirus, and other core diseases
• Booster shots are usually given every 3-4 weeks until the puppy is about 16 weeks old, since maternal antibodies can interfere with earlier doses
• A rabies vaccine is typically given once the puppy reaches the minimum age required by your vet and province, often around 12-16 weeks, and is legally required in most of Canada
• Exact timing and which vaccines are 'core' vs. 'lifestyle-dependent' varies by vet, region, and the puppy's risk factors — confirm the specific schedule with your veterinarian rather than following a generic timeline
• Keep the vaccination record — many boarding facilities, groomers, and puppy classes require proof before your puppy can attend

Basic training foundations

• Start potty training immediately: take the puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, and after play — consistency matters more than frequency
• Reward the puppy immediately after it eliminates outside, not after coming back inside, so it connects the reward to the right action
• Begin name recognition and recall in a low-distraction environment (like your living room) before expecting it to work outdoors
• Use short, positive training sessions (5-10 minutes) multiple times a day rather than long sessions — puppy attention spans are short
• Puppy-proof the home before the puppy arrives: secure cords, remove small chewable objects, block access to stairs if needed, and store household chemicals out of reach

Frequently asked questions