Puppy Care Guide: The First Year 🐾

Chantel Fyvie
Sep 20
3 min read

Lucky Penny Pet Care Blog | Midtown Dog Walker

www.luckypennypetcare.com

Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most exciting (and challenging!) adventures you’ll ever have. The first year is full of milestones, from the joy of those first wobbly steps around your home to the proud moment when your puppy finally learns to sit on command. To help you set your puppy up for success, here’s a guide that walks you through the phases of puppyhood, a typical daily routine, training and socialization tips, and ways to build a lifelong bond.

Phases of Puppyhood

0–8 Weeks: The Newborn Phase

Puppies spend this time with their mother and littermates learning basic social cues.
When they come home (usually after 8 weeks), they’re just beginning to explore the world and rely on you for everything.

8–16 Weeks: The Socialization Window

This is the most important phase for exposure to new experiences.
Positive introductions to people, other dogs, sounds, and environments will shape their confidence.
Start crate training, leash work, and gentle positive handling.

4–6 Months: The Adolescent Explorer

Your puppy will become bolder, test boundaries, and may “forget” commands.
This is the time to stay consistent with training and prevent bad habits from forming.

6–12 Months: The Teenager Phase

Think of this as a “doggy teenager” stage; independent, energetic, and sometimes stubborn.
Hormones kick in, and they’ll push for more freedom. With patience, this stage passes into maturity.

A Typical Puppy Routine

Morning

Potty break immediately upon waking.
Breakfast in their crate (to reinforce it as a safe, happy space).
Short walk or play session.

Midday

Potty break.
Playtime, short training sessions (5–10 minutes max).
Nap in the crate as puppies need lots of sleep!

Afternoon

Potty break.
Walk or social outing (park, car ride, meeting new people).
Another nap.

Evening

Dinner in the crate.
Gentle play or chew time.
Potty break before bedtime.

Training Tips: Positive Reinforcement

Reward the good: Praise, treats, and play whenever your puppy makes the right choice.
Keep it short: Puppies learn best in bursts, just a few minutes, multiple times a day.
Stay consistent: Use the same commands and reward system across the household, get all people on the same page.
Leash and freedom: Keep your puppy on a leash or tether indoors when not crated. This prevents accidents and chewing mishaps, while also building a bond since they’ll look to you for guidance. Slowly expand their freedom to one room at a time, as they get more trustworthy.

Crate Training & Creating Safe Spaces

Make the crate positive: Feed meals inside, offer special toys or chews only in the crate.
Never punish: The crate should always feel like a cozy den, not a “time-out” zone.
Puppies should nap in their crate throughout the day so they learn to self-soothe.

Socializing Your Puppy

Exposure is key: Introduce your pup to different people, dogs, surfaces, and environments in a positive way.
Start small: A few calm, friendly dogs are better than overwhelming them at a busy park.
Safe exploration: Carry young puppies in your arms to see the world before they’re fully vaccinated.

Other Helpful Puppy Tips

Teething & chewing: Provide safe chew toys (frozen carrots, broccoli stems or puppy Kongs work wonders).
Potty training: Take them out after eating, playing, and waking. Praise immediately after success. Puppies can hold their bladder 1 hour for each month of age plus 1 hour. So a 4 months puppy can hold their bladder for 5 hrs. Crate training helps extend their time between potty breaks and teach them a schedule.
Exercise balance: Puppies need activity, but avoid over exercising growing joints. Short bursts are better than long hikes.
Vet care: Keep vaccinations, parasite prevention, and regular checkups up to date.

Final Thoughts

Your puppy’s first year is a whirlwind of cuddles, challenges, and milestones. They grow up fast but that first year is so important. With structure, patience, and lots of love, you’ll not only raise a well behaved and balanced dog but also build an unshakable bond that lasts a lifetime.