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Pre-Puppy
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Pre-Puppy

What’s better than puppies? That’s right: your own puppy. So, what do you need to know before you take the plunge into pet parenthood?

0-2 months
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0-2 months

Welcome to the world little one. It’s all grow-grow-grow for your puppy right now, so there’s many things to prepare.

2-3 months
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2-3 months

Your puppy is ready to come home and turn your world upside down. It’s time to put your preparation into practice – and remember to take it all in!

3-6 months
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3-6 months

You’re entering a period of immense growth, lots of learning and new adventures. Bring on the play date with the big wide world!

6-12 months
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6-12 months

Your fur-baby is nearing adulthood. Can you see their grown self coming through? Sigh…they grow up so fast, don’t they?

12-18 months
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12-18 months

Your puppy has turned one and they might not be so little anymore. Make sure to book their first annual check-up.

18 months - 3 years
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18 months - 3 years

Your dog is one an established family member now. Enjoy who they have become and the bond you now share at this special stage.

3 - 8 years
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3 - 8 years

Your dog is a full-grown adult now. They understand where their place is in your home and the wider world.

8+ years
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8+ years

Just like many senior citizens, senior dogs have some extra needs. Learn to look after your best friend and support their health as they grow older.

First Month with a New Puppy

Dr Kate Mornement - Pet Behaviourist profile picture

Dr Kate Mornement - Pet Behaviourist

PhD in Companion Animal Behaviour, BSc(Hons) in Zoology

Dr Kate Mornement is an Applied Animal Behaviourist, Consultant and Educator to pet parents, industry, government and media. She has a PhD which focused on companion animal behaviour from Monash University and a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Zoology (Animal Behaviour) from La Trobe University.

First Month with a New Puppy

The first month with a new puppy is both joyful and hard work! During this time, your new puppy is learning all about his new environment, family, routine and the world around him. So how do you ensure the first month with your new puppy runs smoothly and what does your puppy need during its first month at home?

What your puppy needs during the first month at home

The first month at home is an important time for your new puppy and their experiences during this time help set the stage for their behaviour moving forward. To give your new puppy the best start, there are a number of things they need during their first month home.

Training

You can begin training your puppy from the first day you bring them home. Foundation behaviours to teach your puppy in the first month include “sit” and to come when you call their name. Other behaviours that are recommended include “drop”, “on your mat/bed” and to toilet on command.

Positive reinforcement training is the most effective way to teach your puppy new behaviours and to reward good behaviour in general.

Positive reinforcement involves providing a positive consequence (e.g. treat) for behaviour you want to see more of.

There are several techniques you can use when training with positive reinforcement including luring - where you use a treat to lure your puppy into the sit position and then reward with a treat; or capturing - where you wait for your puppy to offer the desired behaviour (e.g. sit) and then reward the behaviour.

Capturing is a wonderful technique to use when toilet training your puppy.

Take your puppy outside regularly throughout the day.

If they toilet, repeat the phrase “do wees” or whatever other phrase you choose and immediately follow with praise and a treat when they finish. With repetition, your new puppy will soon learn to toilet on command.

Socialisation

One of the most important things your new puppy needs in their first month at home is socialisation. Socialisation refers to the learning process that occurs when a puppy is exposed to all the things (people, animals, places etc) they will encounter during their life in a neutral or positive way. Good socialisation practices during the first month with your new puppy will help to ensure they are happy and confident in their environment, and can communicate effectively with other dogs.

Vets used to recommend that you don’t socialise puppies until after their final vaccination due to the risk of contractive diseases such as parvovirus.
However most vets these days recognise that the benefits of socialisation during the first month in their new home outweigh the risk when done carefully.

Puppy classes are a wonderful way to help socialise your new puppy to unfamiliar people and other dogs as well as the vet clinic environment in a positive way.

Many vet clinics run puppy classes or can recommend one to you.

Make sure you book ahead though, as classes are popular and spaces are often limited.

Vet check

When your new puppy is between 10 and 12 weeks old they are due for their second vaccination. It’s important to attend this appointment to ensure your puppy remains healthy. Visiting the vet clinic is a great opportunity to help build a positive association with vet visits.

Take some treats with you and reward your puppy throughout the visit.

Practicing this at every vet visit can help minimise fear and/or anxiety in response to vet visits.

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