Puppies, 9 minute read
Your puppy's first year, month by month
The first year moves fast. Here is what to expect and what to do, in the order it actually happens, from the day you bring them home to their first birthday booster.
The first weeks at home
Most puppies come home at eight weeks. Give them a small, quiet area with a bed, water, a chew toy and newspaper or a pad near the door. Expect crying for the first few nights. A warm water bottle wrapped in a towel and an old T-shirt that smells of you both help.
Book a first check within a week. We will look for heart murmurs, hernias and parasites, start or continue the vaccine course and talk you through feeding. Bring any card from the breeder or rescue, even if it is handwritten.
Month by month
First vaccine and worming
Start toilet training: out after every meal, nap and play. Praise quietly when they go outside.
Second vaccine, rabies soon after
Begin gentle handling: touch paws, ears and mouth daily so vet visits and grooming are easy later.
Out into the world
A week after the final vaccine, start short walks. Meet calm dogs, motorbikes at a distance, the gateman, the market noise.
Teething
Adult teeth push through. Offer frozen carrots and safe chews, and check that baby teeth are falling out.
Neutering conversation
We will discuss timing at the six month check. Large breeds often wait a little longer.
Happy birthday and first booster
Move to adult food over a week, book the yearly booster and switch to an adult care plan.
Feeding guide
| Age | Meals a day | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 8 to 12 weeks | Four | Soak dry food in warm water for very young pups |
| 3 to 6 months | Three | Weigh monthly and adjust portions |
| 6 to 12 months | Two | Keep treats under a tenth of daily food |
Choose a complete puppy food sized for your breed. Avoid cow's milk, which upsets most puppy tummies, and never give cooked bones. Fresh water should always be down, and moved into the shade on hot days.
Home checklist
- Cables, phone chargers and generator fuel out of reach
- Gate gaps closed, puppies squeeze through surprising spaces
- A crate or pen for safe rest
- A collar with a tag carrying your phone number
- Puppy food, bowls, chews and a soft brush
When to call us
Call straight away if your puppy has vomiting or diarrhoea with blood, will not eat for a day, seems very flat, or has swallowed something. Young puppies dehydrate quickly. Night line: +234 800 000 0602.
In pictures
First year moments
