The Pet Parents® Guide to Raising a Puppy

• Appropriate-sized puppy crate. Crates can be used to train your dog, to manage their behavior, to have them a quiet and safe place to stay, but never to punish them. Crates can be a great help to help curb your furbaby’s accidents and destructive habits, according to The Humane Society of the United States.
• Baby or dog gate. Boundaries are necessary for safety while your new puppy adjusts to their home. Until they are able to be left unsupervised in the house responsibly, you can enclosed area of your home, like your kitchen, before giving them access to the full house to keep them away from choking hazards.
• Puppy toys. Toys are an excellent way to encourage some of your furbaby's natural instincts and mental enrichment. Balls will help develop your pup’s chase drive or herding instincts. Squeaky toys trigger your pup’s natural instinct to pounce and shake. Plus, they provide fun bonding for you and your furbaby!
• Gnawtlers®. Gnawtlers® make great dog chews to provide them an outlet for teething and their chewing instincts in a positive way. These are premium, naturally shed antler chews from elk and deer, perfect for your teething puppy! They are safe, do not easily splinter, are jam-packed with nutrients, and mentally stimulate your furbaby.
• Age-appropriate dog food. Puppies have a more demanding nutritional requirement as they are still growing and developing. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, when choosing a diet for your puppy it is essential to understand the four key nutrients they need most: protein, fat, calcium, and digestible carbohydrates. It is also recommended to feed your puppy at least three times every day until they are about 4 to 6 months.
• Pet Parents® Multifunctional SoftSupps®. Extra nutrition is always a plus! These multivitamin soft chews help promote powerful daily health support for your growing furbaby. Whether it is to promote skin and coat health, hip and joint support, immune and intestinal function, or to help maintain heart health, our dog multivitamin chews have your dog covered!
• Collar, leash, updated tags. Puppies are very curious which can result in them getting lost or escaping. These are also helpful when taking your dog on a walk and for training. Should your puppy wander away, updated tags will help the person who finds your pup to get in contact with you and get your pet home safe. Microchipping is also a valuable way to keep track of your pet in case some things go wrong.
• Food and Water bowls. Food and water bowls that are just the right size for your puppy make it easier for them to reach their food without having to strain, which can place unwanted pressure on their throat while they are eating or drinking water. Make sure you have these ready before bringing a puppy home.
• Pet Parents® Pawtect® Pads. Pet Parents® Pawtect® Pads are a must-have when raising a puppy! As pups are prone to creating accidents, these Pawtect® Pads will help protect your floors, perfect for house training. With triple-stitched edges and WickQuick® proprietary fabric blend that quickly wicks, absorbs, and holds in more liquid per square inch than other pads, these washable puppy pads will prevent your puppy from tracking the mess all over your home.
• Pet Parents® Dog Diapers. You can have your puppy wear Pet Parents® Dog Diapers or Pet Parents® Belly Bands to aid in potty training. These dog diapers and belly bands will help keep your furbaby and your home clean with sewn-in pad layers, and a leakproof, comfy fit.
• Enzymatic cleaners. As puppies are prone to making accidents, spot cleaners come in handy. These cleaners work well for stain removal and they are very effective in reducing (or in most cases eliminating) odors caused by urine, which also helps dissuade future marking and accidents.

Getting Started

How long does it take to potty train a puppy? That answer will vary based on how quickly your puppy picks up training and how consistent you are with the training. You can start the first potty training session when you wake up. Take your furbaby outside so they can get down to their business. According to the American Kennel Club, always head out the same door to the same area where you want your puppy to potty, and keep them on a leash while training (even in a fenced yard) so that your puppy is not focused on other things.

Take them out for multiple potty training sessions during the day and especially after meals. Try to have a fixed feeding schedule as this will help in regulating your pup’s peeing and pooping and help you set your watch every potty time. Remember that your dog may have to potty after playtimes and meal times, even if it has not been long because the stimulation of the digestive tract may also give your pup the urge to get down to business.

Potty Training with Puppy Pads

There are several tried-and-true methods for training your puppy. Pet parents have the option to potty train with Pawtect® Pads or Pet Parents® Dog Diapers. Pee pad training is great for apartment dwellers and those who may not be home during the day at work. You can learn more about how to train a dog to use a pee pad here.