New Puppy Related Articles

What to Know When Bringing Home a New Puppy

Pet Adoption Articles

Whether this is your first dog or one of many, bringing home a puppy is both exciting and challenging. Like children, puppies require significant time, expense, and emotional investment in their first year. They come in all shapes, sizes, temperaments, and breeds, but one truth holds steady: What you put into training and care is what you’ll get out of your lifelong bond.

If you ever come home to a chewed-up pair of shoes or a living room that looks like a storm has hit it, remember—it’s part of the learning curve. Consistency, patience, and preparation will make the transition smoother.

Ease your new pup into their home by providing consistency in daily routines, house rules, and expectations across all family members. Gradually allow them to explore each room while supervised and when the environment is calm. Once your puppy feels comfortable in their new environment, another important step to support their growth is establishing healthy nutrition habits.

Nutrition

Feeding Frequency – Puppies need meals every 3-8 hours, depending on age, before transitioning to twice-daily feeding. Stick to a high-quality, protein-based diet that meets AAFCO standards.

Feeding Method – Place food in a stainless steel or ceramic bowl for 10-15 minutes, then remove it until the next feeding. This helps regulate digestion and supports house training. Feeding in the crate can also encourage crate acceptance.

Transitioning Diets – Start your puppy on the food they’re used to, then gradually switch to a new brand over 7-10 days to avoid an upset stomach. A gradual switch means mixing small amounts of the new food into the old food, slowly increasing the ratio of new to old each day until the transition is complete.

Explore the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) for a nutritional toolkit and body condition scoring chart, and the American Veterinanry Medical Association (AVMA) for food recall information.

Grooming

Pet grooming includes maintenance of skin and coat care, nails, ears, and dental hygiene. Most healthy dogs need baths no more than once a month, using a mild, soap-free shampoo. Start grooming early to help your pup get used to handling and tools.

Ears – Ears should be cleaned with a mild drying solution and cotton balls after the bath. Moisture accumulated in the ear canals can make a perfect environment for bacteria and yeast to overgrow.

Nails – Consider trimming nails one at a time when your pet is sleepy or hungry and can be bribed with a high-value treat (shredded cheese, peanut butter, and small bites of chicken breast). It’s best to set the clippers out for a few days near the food bowl to give your pet time to adjust to the tool.

Teeth – Dental care should include brushing twice a week using dog-specific toothpaste in flavors like chicken or malt. Begin with gum massages to ease them into the process. To keep all 42 adult teeth healthy, you need to brush at least twice a week.

If you incorporate these steps into your routine, by the time your dog has their first professional grooming, they should feel comfortable—and maybe even look forward to it.

Socialization & Training

The golden window for puppy socialization is 2-weeks to 3-months of age, when they’re most receptive to new experiences. Expose them gradually to different people, surfaces, sounds, pets, and environments.

Positive Reinforcement – Reward good behavior with praise, treats, and play.

Training Basics – Introduce a collar and leash early. Keep training sessions short but frequent. Puzzle toys, hide-and-seek with kibble, and simple commands will build mental sharpness.

Philosophy – Remember the principle that “nothing in life is free”. A puppy learns to earn what they want—walks, food, or attention—by calmly following cues like “sit”.

Crate Training

A crate can be your best tool for training and safety. Make it a positive space by adding bedding, toys, and occasional treats like frozen Kong-stuffed with peanut butter. Puppies quickly learn the crate is their den, not a punishment.

Crates are also invaluable for housebreaking—dogs naturally avoid soiling their resting space when given regular opportunities to go outside.

Potty Training

Potty training your puppy takes patience and consistency, but sticking to a routine makes the process much smoother. Keep these key tips in mind:

Take your puppy to the same outdoor spot every time for familiarity.

Use a consistent phrase like “potty time” to recognize the action they are doing.

Reward them immediately after elimination, as they have short attention spans.

A good rule of thumb: Puppies can “hold it” for their age in months plus one hour (e.g., a 2-month-old pup can last about 3 hours).

Sitting & Walking Considerations

When planning for a new puppy, it’s important to think beyond food, toys, and vet visits—consider the cost and logistics of dog sitting or walking. Whether you’re traveling, working late, or attending evening events, professional pet care professionals, like those at Pet Butler, can help keep your puppy happy, safe, and well-exercised. Budgeting for these services in advance ensures you’re not caught off guard and helps you plan for consistent care. For a detailed guide on what to expect when it comes to these expenses, check our full breakdown here: Costs to Consider as You Budget for a New Dog.

Preventative Health Care

Keeping your puppy healthy goes beyond love and training—it requires proactive veterinary care. Here are the essentials every new pet parent should plan for:

Vaccinations – Puppies usually begin vaccines at 6-8 weeks, with boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Afterward, annual or triannual boosters may be needed.

Spay/Neuter – The timing depends on breed, lifestyle, and health. Many shelters spay or neuter before adoption to prevent overpopulation. However, if you chose not to adopt, consult with your veterinarian during your vaccination appointments to discuss the best time to spay or neuter your special pup.

Vet Visits – Regular check-ups track your puppy’s growth, behavior, and organ function. Bring a fresh stool sample to each appointment.

Watch for changes in appetite, urination, or energy—small symptoms can signal larger issues.

Don’t Forget Waste Clean Up

One of the less glamorous, but essential, parts of pet ownership is picking up after your dog. Dog waste can damage lawns, spread parasites, and pollute airways. A puppy’s health is so crucial to take care of, similar to taking care of a newborn baby. We want to keep them safe!

If keeping up feels overwhelming, Pet Butler offers professional dog waste removal services. We handle the dirty work so you can focus on bonding with your new best friend.

FAQs About Puppy Care

When should I start training my puppy?

You typically shouldn’t have a puppy separated from its mother younger than about 6-8 weeks. So, begin as early as 6-8 weeks old, focusing on socialization, leash training, crate introduction, and basic commands.

How often should I groom my puppy?

Most puppies need a bath no more than once a month. Nail trims, ear cleaning, and dental care should be done weekly to biweekly as needed.

How do I manage potty training effectively?

Take your puppy to the same outdoor spot consistently, reward immediately after elimination, and use a consistent cue word like “potty time”.

Should I budget for sitting or walking?

Yes! Professional sitting or walking can help ensure your puppy receives consistent care when you’re unavailable. Pet Butler pet care services can help you manage this!

Final Thoughts

Owning a puppy means embracing joy, challenges, and responsibilities in equal measure. With preparation—a create, leash, quality diet, grooming tools, sitting/walking plans, and perhaps a scooping partner—you’ll set your puppy (and yourself) up for success.

Congrats on your new best friend!

Are You Ready for a Dog?

Pet Adoption Articles

A dog can be a wonderful addition to a home, but pet ownership is a big commitment and should be carefully considered. If you are thinking about getting a dog it is important to research, plan, and reflect before making a decision.

5 Things to Consider Beforehand

Lifestyle

Most dogs are happiest when their daily routine is predictable and includes companionship. Are you a busy, on-the-go individual who likes having the flexibility to jet off at a moment’s notice? Who will watch your dog when you’re gone? What about your home life, work, and school schedules? Long days at the office, busy evenings, and kids’ activities may leave you little time to care for your dog.

As a pet parent, you will spend considerable time training, grooming, feeding, exercising, and bonding with your dog. Puppies need extra attention and require frequent potty breaks. Certain high-energy breeds need consistent daily exercise, even late into adulthood.

Environment

Just like humans, dogs want to be comfortable in their surroundings. Certain dog breeds are impacted more by their environment than others. For example, short nose breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs, may not acclimate well in warm climates. You’ll need to add a dog coat and shovel to your shopping list if you want a chihuahua that will tolerate cold and snowy winters. Arctic breeds like huskies might fare better in colder temperatures.

Smaller pets often need less physical space than larger breeds of dogs and may adapt well to apartment living. Older dogs are generally more sedentary and may require less outdoor space for exercise. A fenced yard can provide a safe and easy-to-access space for puppy playtime or for your older dog to explore on their own.

Budget

Having a dog is an ongoing fiscal responsibility, which can span 15 years or more. Pet ownership is a significant expense and should be considered in your decision-making. Make a list of possible expenses and see if it fits with your budget to become a pet parent.

Food, veterinary care, pet insurance, pet sitting, boarding, grooming, training, toys, and supplies can add up. Also, consider that a purebred dog from a reputable breeder may cost thousands of dollars, and veterinary expenses may mount as your pet ages.

Caregivers

Adding a pet to your family will impact the entire household. Every family member should be on board to help acclimate and keep a new dog safe in the home. It will be important to discuss how pet care responsibilities will affect the family.

Ideally, everyone in the home will share in the caregiving for your pet, but at a minimum, one person should be committed to providing the ongoing attention and care your dog will need to thrive. Children grow up, can lose interest, or get busy with extracurricular activities. Spouses decide they don’t like dog kisses or develop allergies.

Support from Pet Professionals

Finding a veterinarian, trainer, and pet sitter before welcoming a dog into your home can get you off on the right foot by learning about nutrition, preventative care, and training. Additionally, these professionals may be able to recommend a breeder or rescue organization with a pet that suits your lifestyle.

Pet professionals will provide varying levels of support through the stages of your pet’s life. Certain dog breeds are prone to health risks such as cancer, diabetes, or glaucoma that require more intensive veterinarian care. Pets with health challenges and senior pets may also need more frequent visits from a pet sitter when you are away from home.

Is your home prepped for a pup?

If after careful consideration you decide to add a pup to your family, you’ll want to make sure your home is ready to welcome your new fur-ever friend. Pup-proofing your home can include:

• Setting up a crate – a relaxing and safe space for your pup and essential for potty training.
• Placing gates across doorways.
• Ensuring all small objects and toys are out of each.
• Storing food out of reach.
• Securing electrical cords.
• Removing toxic plants.

Considering all these variables will help you decide if a new pet is right for you. Education and preparation help build a bond with your new dog.

Vet Advice from Dr. Lisa

At Pet Butler, we want you and your pet to live your best and healthiest lives, which is why we offer pet waste removal and other services year-round. We offer weekly, bi-weekly, monthly and one-time clean-up services to work with your schedule and needs.

How to Housetrain/Potty Train Your Puppy

Dog Behavior Articles

One of the biggest challenges new dog owners face is overcoming a puppy’s most natural instinct: elimination, AKA peeing and pooping. As it turns out, dogs are not born with the understanding of where to relieve themselves all the time – that knowledge needs to be taught. Housetraining, also known as potty training, is a long but achievable undertaking that should be your number one priority after adopting a pup. It’s easier to teach a dog when it’s younger, and it helps your house stay that much cleaner.

Starting Early

Housetraining should be started once a puppy is around 10 weeks old – after it learns how to control its bladder and really start a schedule. The process can take anywhere from 4-6 months, although in special cases it can last up to a year or more. The more adamant you are about creating a schedule and sticking to the guidelines, the faster your dog will understand his/her expectations. Timeliness is also dependent on the size of your dog (smaller dogs need more trips outside and therefore adapt more quickly) as well as how receptive your dog is to training. Some puppies just take longer to learn where the toilet is, so stay positive and remind yourself that accidents happen all the time. You got this!

Control the Puppy’s Potty Space

The first general rule of potty training is to limit a puppy’s space. Control the environment as much as possible and always be attentive to your dog’s needs. Most of the time, your pup will show you when it needs to go. This is often indicated by behaviors like sniffing, circling, barking, and whining. If you can’t be around to supervise, make sure that you have a someone else around or put your dog in a crate. Crates discourage puppies from eliminating inside the house, and they’re helpful for extended periods away from home. That said, a puppy should never be left alone for more than 3-4 hours, especially within the first few months. If a dog is eliminating inside their crate, change some of the crating factors or stop using this method entirely. Tolerating bad habits will be very counterproductive.

Set a Potty Schedule

Another housetraining rule is to set a schedule. The more consistent the schedule, the more consistent the training. Puppies need to be taken outside hourly and always after eating or drinking. While most pups can hold their waste for a couple hours, it’s best not to test their limits. Repetition is the key to obedience, after all. For nighttime, try to be as quiet as possible if your dog needs to go; the less commotion caused, the less they’ll want to play around afterwards. Minimize these nightly trips as much as possible and take away their water bowl 2 hours before bedtime.

Reaffirming the Positive Potty Experience

When taking your dog outside, it’s important to keep a close watch. Putting them on a leash, even in a backyard, is good for positive association, familiarity, and, once again, control. Use a verbal cue like “potty” before they go and reward them afterwards with either treats or playtime. Make sure that you reward them outside, as soon as possible, but only after they have completely finished their business. This is important for avoiding accidents and speeding up their bathroom breaks later on.

As far as location goes, at first, bring them to the same spot every time. Their previous scent will prompt elimination again and reinforce the training. Once a puppy is more experienced with this idea, try and take them around to different outdoor spaces. They need to be comfortable with more than just one area.

Other points to remember include…

Minimizing or Removing Potty Pads – Dogs associate these pads with carpeting, which can confuse puppies and prolong their training.
Using Enzymatic Cleaners – They clear odors more effectively, so dogs won’t think about repeating their surprise in the same place.
Consulting a Veterinarian – If your dog has repeated training issues, vets can offer extra advice and ensure that medical problems aren’t causing any complications.

Potty Training with Adult Dogs

All these ideas also apply for older dogs who either need to learn or relearn these habits. While training an adult dog might take longer and be more difficult, it’s fundamentally the same process. Be rigid with your limitations and scheduling, and they’ll come along just fine.

Lastly, there will be setbacks. Potty training is not easy. No matter how frustrating it can be, remember to never punish your dog in difficult moments. Discipline is important, but it’s wrong to make your dog afraid of you. If you happen to catch your dog in the act, clap loudly to signal a bad behavior and try to interrupt what’s happening. As per usual, if you can bring your puppy outside and finishes there, still give them a treat. Best of luck!