What First-Time Puppy Owners Should Know in 2025 — A Vet’s Complete Guide 🐶🍼

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, Ask A Vet Blog
Published: July 7, 2025

Bringing home a puppy is exciting—but also overwhelming. Puppies are adorable, full of energy, and require serious commitment. Whether you’re new to dog parenting or it’s been a while since your last pup, here’s everything you need to know to raise a happy, healthy companion. 🐾

📅 The Ideal Age to Bring Home a Puppy

Most experts recommend adopting a puppy between 8–10 weeks of age. This is a key time for bonding and learning—right in the middle of their socialization window (3–14 weeks). 🧠

🚽 Housetraining Tips

• ⏰ Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after every nap, meal, and play session
• 🎉 Reward with praise and treats for going outside
• ❌ Never punish indoor accidents—this teaches fear, not learning

Crate training and routine are your best tools for success. Stay consistent! 🐶💩

🏡 House Rules Start Day One

• 🚫 Don’t allow behaviors now that you won’t want in adulthood (e.g., couch-surfing, jumping)
• 🗣️ All household members must follow the same rules
• 👣 Teach polite greetings and redirect unwanted behavior to alternative options (e.g., mat training)

🐕‍🦺 Socialization Is Critical

Introduce your pup to:

• 👒 People in hats, sunglasses, wheelchairs
• 🐶 Other vaccinated dogs and puppies
• 👶 Kids of various ages
• 🧳 Noisy environments, different flooring, grooming tools

📅 Expose your puppy to a new, positive experience every day. Socialization = confidence. Aim for exposure, not overwhelm.

🦴 Chewing & Mouthing

• 🧸 Provide safe chew toys
• 🛑 Avoid encouraging rough play or letting them bite hands
• 🐾 Redirect chewing to appropriate items (never shoes!)

📦 What to Have Ready on Day One

• 🧼 Enzymatic cleaner (for accidents)
• 🍽️ Puppy food + bowls (stainless steel or ceramic)
• 🛏️ Crate or exercise pen
• 🎾 Safe toys
• 🦴 Puppy-safe chews
• 🦮 Collar/harness + leash

📆 What You’ll Need Soon After

• 💊 Flea/tick/heartworm prevention
• 💉 Vaccinations & vet exams (start building that VCPR)
• 💩 Poop bags
• 📛 ID tag & city license

🚑 Puppy-Proof Your Home

• 🔒 Store toxins (meds, chocolate, cleaners) out of reach
• 🛑 Block off stairs, decks, and unsafe areas
• 👀 Supervise at all times—puppies are curious and fast

🚫 Toxic Items to Avoid

Keep these away from puppies:

• 🍫 Chocolate, grapes, onions, xylitol
• 🧪 Antifreeze, cleaning agents, pesticides
• 🧴 Meds (human or pet), e-cigarettes, cannabis

📞 Call ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if your pet ingests anything questionable.

🏥 Choose a Vet & Emergency Clinic

• 🩺 Start vet visits ASAP for wellness and vaccines
• 🧾 Know the nearest emergency hospital—just in case

🐕 Exercise & Training

• 🎾 Puppies play hard, nap often—supervised playtime is perfect
• 🧠 Start teaching leash walking, basic commands, and impulse control
• 📍 Flat-faced breeds need special caution in heat—avoid overheating!

💬 Final Thoughts

Raising a puppy is a full-time job, but the investment now creates a well-behaved, bonded dog for life. 🐶💖

📱 Ask A Vet Can Help

Need help with housetraining, chewing, or picking the right vaccine plan? 🐾

📲 Download the Ask A Vet app for 24/7 vet advice on all things puppy—from first aid to behavior to food switches. We’re here to support your journey from day one. 🍼📱

✅ Puppy Owner Starter Checklist

• ✔ Begin house rules and socialization right away
• ✔ Crate train & stick to a potty schedule
• ✔ Puppy-proof your home & watch for dangers
• ✔ Visit the vet for checkups and vaccines
• ✔ Train gently, reinforce desired behaviors

Your new best friend is counting on you. Make every moment count! 🐶💖

Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app for expert, first-time puppy owner support anytime. 📱🐾