Puppy golden retriever walking outside of veterinary practice.

Bringing home a puppy is an exciting and joyous event. But it may also be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-time pet owner. Puppies require a lot of care, and starting them off on the right paw is important. At Baker Ranch Animal Hospital, we understand the importance of giving your puppy the best start in life, and we’re here to help make sure that happens. In this article, we cover the essential topics of puppy care, including the importance of an early visit to the vet, common health problems, signs of a healthy puppy, and when to start training. We hope this article will help you care for your puppy and ensure you can give your pup the best life possible. If you are located in or near Lake Forest, CA and need help caring for your puppy, please contact us at (949) 600-8310 to schedule an appointment.

How Will Proper Puppy Care Impact My Dog’s Life?

One of the most important reasons to provide your puppy with proper care from the start is to ensure your dog's long, healthy life. Good nutrition and regular veterinary care are both essential for your pup’s health and well-being. Providing proper puppy care can also help prevent certain health conditions.

You should also consider the emotional benefits of providing good puppy care. A well-cared-for puppy is more socialized, better behaved, and more likely to develop into a trusting and loving companion.

Why Is It Important to Start Good Puppy Care on Day One?

It’s important to start proper puppy care as soon as you bring your pup home. This is especially true for puppies between 8 and 20 weeks of age, which is the period when they are most receptive to new information. During this time, providing your puppy with positive experiences and socialization is important. This will help them learn how to interact with humans and other animals in a positive way, preventing future behavior problems.

At this stage, it’s also important to begin basic obedience training such as sitting, staying, coming when called, and walking on a leash. Training sessions should be frequent but short in duration due to the puppy’s short attention span.

Finally, this is an ideal time to build a strong bond with your pup by providing lots of love and affection. The more time you spend together during these early years, the stronger your relationship will become.

Weimaraner puppy at puppy exam.

How Soon Should I Bring My Puppy In to See a Veterinarian for Their First Exam?

The first step in providing proper puppy care is scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. You should do this within the first week of bringing your pup home. The sooner you bring your pup in for an exam, the sooner you’ll learn more about their overall health and needs. Your veterinarian can also diagnose health issues that could be problematic in the future.

When preparing for the appointment, make sure to bring any vaccination records from the breeder, shelter, or rescue organization, as well as any information about deworming treatments. Bring a fresh stool sample for testing worms, and provide information on the brand and formula of food you’re feeding your pup.

At the vet’s office, expect to fill out some paperwork. Then, your veterinarian will perform a physical examination where they will check your pup’s eyes, ears, teeth, skin, abdomen, heart, lungs and joints. They may also check for breed-specific conditions and give advice on common health issues pertinent to your pet’s breed. Make sure to ask any questions you have and raise any concerns you may have.

What Are the Most Common Health Problems in Puppies?

While adorable and joyful, puppies are susceptible to various health problems. Some of the most common issues include:

Labrador puppy at puppy exam getting vaccines.

What Are Some Signs and Symptoms of Illness in Puppies?

It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of illness in puppies in order to provide timely medical care when needed. Some common signs and symptoms include:

  • Lethargy
  • Dull coat
  • Skin changes
  • Changes in appetite
  • Ear problems
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Respiratory problems
  • Behavior changes
  • Joint stiffness
  • Swollen gums
  • Excessive thirst
  • Runny nose or eyes
  • Trouble urinating or defecating

It’s especially important to be on the lookout for any signs of parvovirus (Parvo), a highly contagious and potentially fatal virus. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, dehydration, stomach pain, pale gums, and weakness. Another serious condition that puppies can contract is distemper, which attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems with symptoms such as green or yellow discharge from the eyes, fever, coughing, lethargy, decreased appetite, and vomiting.

What Are the Signs of a Healthy, Thriving Puppy?

Now that we’ve covered some of the common health issues in puppies, let’s take a look at the signs of a healthy, thriving puppy. A healthy mouth is characterized by relatively clean-smelling breath and clean teeth without tartar buildup. Additionally, a healthy coat should be shiny and clean due to natural oils and shedding. Consistent lean weight is also essential for a puppy’s health, while clear eyes are another indicator of good health. Clean ears and nose are also important signs of a healthy pup. Finally, consistent urine and stool frequency and texture are signs of good health.

When Should I Start Training My Puppy?

Start training your puppy as soon as you bring them home, teaching them basic commands like sit, stay, come, and down. Use positive reinforcement, keep training sessions short (5-10 minutes), and always end on a positive note. Puppies should also be exposed to various environments, activities, and people to help them become more familiar with the world around them. Proper socialization is especially important for service dogs to ensure that they can handle the pressures of the job.

Basic training for service dogs usually starts around 8 weeks, while more advanced training is delayed until around 6 months. This allows puppies to mature physically and emotionally before beginning more intensive training.

What Will My Vet Be Looking for When First Examining My Puppy?

At your puppy’s first veterinary appointment, your vet will perform a comprehensive physical examination. This exam includes an observation of the puppy’s overall body condition and checking the eyes, ears, and nose for redness, discharge, debris, or abnormalities. Your vet will also check your puppy’s mouth and teeth for tartar buildup, gum issues, retained baby teeth, broken teeth, and oral growths. They will evaluate the heart and lungs to check for abnormal rate or rhythm and other issues. Plus, your veterinarian will palpate the abdomen to search for abnormalities in the stomach, spleen, liver, kidneys, intestines and bladder.

Your vet will also suggest vaccinations, heartworm prevention, and routine deworming to prevent life-threatening diseases. Regular wellness exams should be conducted every 6 months to a year, depending on the pet’s breed, age, lifestyle and overall health.

Conclusion

Providing your puppy with proper care is key to their long-term health and well-being. From scheduling the first veterinary appointment to providing regular socialization and training, there are many steps you can take to ensure that your pup gets the best start in life. At Baker Ranch Animal Hospital, we understand how important it is to provide your puppy with quality care, and we’re here to help make sure that happens. Please contact us at (949) 600-8310 or [email protected] today if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment for your puppy.