Your new puppy has a lot to learn, see and explore in your house. To help make that transition easier, we’ve put together some basic information and training tips. Remember that your veterinarian, breeder, local library, humane society or breed rescue group can be valuable sources of more information.

Children often don’t realize you have to be very careful with a small puppy. You should always be there to supervise children playing with or meeting a puppy. When you bring your puppy home, it’s a good idea to have the children sit down and let the puppy come to them. Explain that they should not scare the puppy by moving fast or making loud noises. They shouldn’t rush at the puppy or try to pick the puppy up. Your older, resident dog might be unhappy to see someone new in his space, or he may be easygoing and friendly. Until you know how your resident dog is going to react, you should take precautions so that your puppy doesn’t get hurt or scared. Follow these tips for introducing your puppy to your older dog:

1. Introduce the dogs in a neutral area (not your home) where your resident dog may not be so protective.
2. Keep both dogs leashed so you can control them.
3. Do not yell at the older dog if he doesn’t react the way you want him to.
4. Allow plenty of time for the dogs to get used to each other.

The right diet is critical to your puppy’s growth and development into an adult dog. Different breeds grow at different rates, so make sure to select nutrition customized for your puppy’s ideal adult size. Visit our Why Diets by Size to learn more about sized-based nutrition, or our Product Selector to find the right formula for your puppy. Here are some guidelines on feeding your new puppy.

1. Give several small meals. See the chart below for more information.
2. Don’t overfeed. Stick to the amounts recommended on the bag.
3. Don’t give table scraps. They can upset the nutritional balance of your puppy’s diet.
4. Make sure clean water is always available.

As your puppy reaches adulthood, his nutritional requirements will change. It is important to provide your adult dog with a diet that will meet his new nutritional requirements and needs. When changing your dog’s diet, make sure to gradually mix the food over a five- to seven-day period, increasing daily the amount of the new food so that 100% of the new food will be provided on day 7. This gradual change will help avoid digestive upset. 

Until your puppy is 3 to 4 months old, he has little bowel or bladder control. If you follow these guidelines, you can expect to limit the number of accidents.

• Most accidents happen by allowing too much freedom too soon. Confine the puppy to one or two rooms in the house where the family spends most of their time.
• Crate the puppy when you can’t supervise him.
• Have regularly scheduled feeding times.
• Take the puppy out first thing in the morning; after naps, meals and playtime; and before you go to bed.
• Reward your puppy for eliminating outside – the more immediate the praise, the better.
• Never punish a puppy for an accident. It’s better to prevent the accident in the first place.
• Don’t wait for the puppy to tell you he has to go. Be proactive and take him out on a regular schedule.

Using a food treat, hold the food over the puppy’s nose and slowly move it up and over the puppy’s head while saying the word “sit.” When the puppy follows the food with his head, he will naturally sit. When he does this, reward with the treat and praise. If the puppy lifts his front legs or jumps, you are holding the treat too high. It will take many repetitions and lots of praise before your puppy learns this command.

Once you’ve taught your puppy to sit, you can start teaching the “down” command. Have your dog in a sitting position, and then bait the puppy’s head down between his front legs with a treat. As the puppy follows the food, slowly pull it forward while saying, “down.” The puppy should lie down as he follows the treat, but if he does not go all the way down, slowly push the treat back between the front paws. As soon as he is down, reward with the treat and tell him “good down.”