First Year Puppy Guide

Guide meaning

A quick, vet-approved roadmap for your Puppy’s first year (vaccines, parasite prevention, nutrition, behavior, low-stress care). For adult Dogs it is slightly different with adjustments for age group, lifestyle, and health.
General guidance— Because one size does not fit all, we can personalize timing and treatments after we examine your puppy and discuss options that align with your situation, priorities and budget.
Bringing a puppy home is pure joy—and a big responsibility. Here’s a simple, vet-approved plan to give your pup the healthiest start. We keep visits calm and positive, and tailor timing to your puppy’s lifestyle.

At-a-Glance Schedule

This is our usual schedule. If your puppy is starting late or has missed a dose, we’ll design a catch-up plan by age. We also offer split vaccine visits for low-stress appointments.
● 8–10 weeks
DHPP #1 (distemper, adenovirus/hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus) • Discuss lifestyle vaccines (Bordetella/kennel cough, Lyme)* • Fresh stool sample test available for screening • Deworming • Flea/tick prevention.
● 12 weeks
DHPP #2 • Leptospirosis #1 • Stool sample follow-up test available to check efficacy and safety. • Deworming/parasite prevention.
● 16 weeks
DHPP #3 (final puppy booster) • Leptospirosis #2 • Rabies • Deworming/parasite prevention as needed.
● 12 months after 16 week visit:
DHPP booster • Rabies booster • Annual Leptospirosis • Annual Bordetella/Lyme based on lifestyle.
Important Note: Vaccine choices depend on lifestyle (travel, boarding, daycare, hiking). Discussing lifestyle vaccines (Bordetella/kennel cough, Lyme) may adjust the 12- and 16-week visits. We follow current canine vaccine guidelines and will personalize timing and product type for your dog.
● Spay/Neuter: 6–24 months
● We individualize timing based on breed & expected adult size (especially large/giant breeds), sex/heat status, behaviour/household goals, and current health (umbilical hernia, retained baby teeth/malocclusion, cryptorchid testicle, orthopedic risk, endocrine/neoplasia considerations).
● Typical windows: small/medium breeds 6–9 months; males 6–12 months; large/giant breeds 12–18 months; females may be timed before or between heats for safety—we’ll advise.
● For predisposed breeds we can combine surgery with OFA/PennHIP radiographs and, in deep-chested dogs, discuss prophylactic gastropexy.
● We offer pre-anaesthetic bloodwork to identify hidden issues early and improve the safety and recovery of your puppy’s procedure.
● Ask about a microchip if not already placed.
● Tailored pain-control/recovery plan. Home care: e-collar, incision checks, and restricted activity for 10–14 days.

Parasites: What to Know

Intestinal parasites are common in puppies. Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, coccidia, and Giardia can cause diarrhea, vomiting, poor growth, and a pot-bellied look. Puppies become infected from their mother (before/after birth) or the environment.
Can parasites affect people? Some are zoonotic (can infect humans). Good hygiene, regular deworming, and prompt clean-up protect the whole family.

Deworming & Stool Checks

● Deworming plan: Every 2 weeks until 12 weeks, then again around 16 weeks. In higher-risk homes, we may continue monthly until 6 months.
● Why stool tests? They detect parasites before signs appear and confirm that treatment worked.
● First-year fecals: You can plan 1–4 tests (intake, after deworming, and again by 6–12 months).
● Adult dogs: Yearly fecal for most; q3–6 months if they hunt, eat wildlife, or visit dog parks very frequently.
● Fleas & ticks (combined prevention): Most modern preventives cover both fleas and ticks. Consistent use helps prevent tapeworm (via flea control) and reduces the risk of tick-borne diseases. Protection: Use vet-recommended flea/tick prevention year-round or seasonally based on local and travel risk.
● Tip : Thorough tick checks after hikes or extended outdoor activity.
● Testing: We may screen for tick-borne diseases when indicated (e.g., travel, known tick exposure, or compatible signs).

Heartworm

Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes; adult worms can damage the heart and lungs. Regional risk varies, and travel changes risk.
● Travel advisory: If your puppy came from or will travel to a heartworm-endemic area, ask us about testing and prevention before you go.

Family safety

Submit a stool sample yearly • Follow deworming schedules • Pick up stools promptly • Wash hands after handling pets/soil • Pregnant people should avoid handling feces.

House Training (Toilet Training)

Keys to success: Manage the environment, keep a feeding schedule, and reward immediately for outdoor success.
● Cues & routine: Use a cue (e.g., “Outside”). Take your puppy directly to the toilet spot—don’t rely only on walks. Reward on the spot.
● Watch for signals: Sniffing, circling, heading to the door. If an accident starts, gently interrupt and guide outside—never punish.
● Timing guide: Weather matters—pups need shorter intervals in heat or cold. Rule of thumb: max 2–3 hours at 8 weeks; 4–5 hours at 16 weeks. Most need to go after sleep, play, eating/drinking, before crate time, and at bedtime.
● Communication: Teach a signal (sit/bark/bell-ring); reward the signal and the outdoor success.
If accidents persist: rule out medical issues, refresh cues consistently, and ensure rewards happen at the outdoor location.

Socialization: Building Confidence

Early, positive exposure builds resilience. Aim for daily, low-stress experiences:
● Clinic “happy visits”: Build your puppy’s trust and reduce vet-visit anxiety. (No procedures, no charge.)
● People variety: hats, sunglasses, uniforms, mobility aids
● Environments: parks, sidewalks, different floors/surfaces
● Dogs: For safety, limit play to known, well-mannered, fully vaccinated dogs; avoid dog parks until the puppy vaccine series is complete.
● Classes: Enrol in positive-reinforcement puppy classes—typically around 12 weeks, once your vet approves. Ensure your puppy has been examined and vaccines have been started. (Some facilities may require Bordetella vaccination.)
Let your puppy set the pace—never force interactions. Avoid harsh corrections.

Puppy Gentling (Cooperative Care)

Help your puppy get comfortable with everyday handling so vet and groomer visits are easier.
● Short sessions (60–90 seconds, 1–2×/day): Gently touch ears, lift lips and peek at teeth/gums, touch paws/toes and briefly tap nail clippers, lift the tail, and do quick collar grabs → treat.
● Pair touch with rewards: Touch → treat (or calm praise). Stop before your puppy pulls away; build up slowly.
● Practice exam positions: Brief stand, sit, and side-lie with a treat on the nose or a chin-rest on your palm.
● Sounds & surfaces: Introduce a soft towel on tables, and low volume “clinic” sounds (clippers near paws).
● Goal: A puppy who opts in to handling—making nail trims, ear checks, and exams low-stress.

Textures & Confidence

Let your puppy explore grass, gravel, sand, carpet, ramps, shallow water at their own pace.
● Build a mini confidence course at home under your supervision (broom handles, boxes, umbrellas, crinkly bags).
● Go one obstacle at a time; reward curiosity and calm.

Children & Other Pets

Children
● Always supervise. Let the puppy approach first. Coach gentle petting along the back/shoulders and quiet voices. Introduce one child at a time.
Dogs
● Start with parallel walks and leashed, short sessions. Reward calm “look-away” from the resident dog; no chasing. Use gates/pens to create space.
Cats
● Begin with scent swaps and feeding on opposite sides of a door. Use baby gates or a carrier for first looks. Provide the cat with vertical space and ensure separate resources (beds, litter, food/water).
Short, positive sessions beat long, stressful ones. If tension persists, we can help with a tailored plan.

Consistency in the Family

Keep words, rules, and rewards the same for everyone.
Daily needs: regular meals and clean water • frequent toilet breaks and naps • play, exercise, and mental enrichment • safe rest spaces.
Assign responsibilities: feeding/water/bed • toilet & crate training • socialization outings • grooming & dental care • supervision & play.
Training sessions: keep them short (5–10 minutes), frequent, and end on a win.

Foreign-Body (FB) Ingestion — Common Puppy Hazards

Avoid: socks/underwear, corn cobs, cooked bones/skewers, rocks/sticks, string/ribbon, hair ties, squeaker toys with loose parts, batteries, earplugs, pits/seeds.
Watch for: repeated vomiting (especially after eating), drooling, pawing at the mouth, painful/tense belly, lethargy, no stools.
Do not induce vomiting unless we advise, and never pull visible string from the mouth/rectum—call us immediately.

Holiday & Household Hazards

Grapes/raisins, chocolate, xylitol (sugar-free), onions/garlic, marijuana/edibles, human pain meds (ibuprofen/naproxen/acetaminophen), rodenticides, compost/garbage.

Puppy Dental & Developmental Notes

● Retained baby teeth: Puppy teeth usually shed between 3–6 months. If a baby tooth remains when the adult erupts (especially the canines), it can trap food and crowd alignment. We often extract retained teeth at the time of spay/neuter to protect adult teeth and gums.
● Bite alignment (malocclusion): Narrow lower canines or over/underbites can injure the palate. We check at 12–16 weeks and again before spay/neuter. Options may include training aids (ball exercises), orthodontic appliances, or selective extractions—we’ll advise or refer if needed.
● Teething & safe chews: Use the fingernail rule—if you can’t dent it with a fingernail, it’s too hard (risk of tooth fracture). Avoid cooked bones, antlers, hooves, hard nylon. Use VOHC-accepted dental chews.
● Home oral care: Start gentle mouth handling now; aim for daily brushing with dog-safe toothpaste. Ask for our VOHC product list and a juvenile dental check at 6–8 months.

Hernias & Cryptorchidism (Undescended Testicles)

● Umbilical hernias: Small, soft hernias often close by 4–6 months; larger ones are typically repaired during spay/neuter. Urgent signs for strangulating hernia: sudden swelling, firmness, pain, vomiting.
● Inguinal hernias: Less common; we’ll plan repair if large or symptomatic.
● Cryptorchidism: By about 6 months, both testicles should be in the scrotum. If one or both are missing, we recommend surgical removal (inguinal/abdominal) to prevent torsion and future tumours. Do not breed cryptorchid dogs.

Grooming: Bonding Through Care

● Brushing & combing: Choose soft, rounded tools. Pair brief strokes with treats; stop before frustration.
● Ears: Use vet-approved cleaners only. Start with gentle handling; check for odour/redness/discharge and call if concerned.
● Nails: Handle paws daily; trim tiny amounts often; avoid the quick.
● Teeth: Start early with puppy-safe toothpaste and a soft brush; make it a routine (“toothbrush time”).

Area & Environment-Specific Health Notes (Dogs)

● Kennel cough (CIRDC): Honking cough after daycare/boarding/dog-park exposure. Vaccines (Bordetella/parainfluenza) reduce risk/severity. Isolate from other dogs; call us if your pup is honking, gagging, listless, feverish, or not eating.
● Parvovirus: Serious infection in under-vaccinated pups. Avoid high-dog-traffic areas until the vaccine series is complete + 7–10 days. Emergency signs: bloody diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, dehydration.
● Leptospirosis: Exposure via wildlife/standing water/farms; we vaccinate when indicated. Avoid stagnant water and secure food/bins from rodents.
● Giardia/Coccidia: Water-borne parasites causing intermittent diarrhea; we test/treat and recheck stool.
● Ringworm: Zoonotic skin fungus; look for circular hair loss or scaly patches—treatable with meds and hygiene.
● Ear mites: Possible in multi-pet/outdoor settings—itchy ears with dark debris; easily treated once diagnosed.

Pregnancy Detection (planned or accidental)

Pregnancy can be hard to confirm on physical exam alone—especially early or in stressed pets. Diagnostics we may use for additional safety:
● Blood test: We can screen for positive from roughly 21–28 days after mating; confirms pregnancy (not litter size). Call us to know more.
● Focal abdominal ultrasound: Assesses pregnancy and viability earlier than abdominal X-rays—typically useful around 25–30 days post-mating (timing and body condition affect accuracy).
● Abdominal radiographs: Best for fetal counts once skeletons mineralize (about 45+ days). If timing is unknown, we can plan a stepwise timeline (e.g., ultrasound at ~day 25–30, radiograph after day 50-55) and discuss care.

Low-Stress Vet Visits (Dogs)

● Crate/car confidence: Short practice rides; familiar bedding; light meal (or none) before travel if car-queasy.
● Pre-visit options: For anxious travellers, ask us about prescription pre-visit calming options (e.g., gabapentin or trazodone). We’ll advise case-by-case and, when appropriate, provide dosing to trial at home before the appointment.
● Arrival choice: Prefer to wait in your car? Text us on arrival—we’ll bring you straight to a dog-friendly room.
● In-clinic: Low-stress, cooperative handling, high-value treats, extra time if needed; we can split care across shorter happy visits v/s bundling to decrease exposure for pets who gets very anxious or scared.

When to Contact Us

Call if you notice vomiting/diarrhea, repeated coughing, laboured breathing, lethargy, pain, loss of appetite, or anything that worries you. Trust your instincts—puppies can decline quickly.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance can offset surprise costs from accidents or illness. When comparing plans, review waiting periods, pre-existing condition rules, reimbursement %, annual/incident limits, and deductibles. Ask whether claims are direct-pay to the clinic or owner reimbursement, and about pre-approval for big procedures.
Examples in Canada: Trupanion • Pets Plus Us • Fetch. We’re happy to discuss what to look for at your first visit.
Many families set aside a small monthly pet-care savings fund for unexpected expenses.

Harewood Pet Hospital
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