Pet Care

Puppy Essentials - Start Strong, Stay Happy

The first year with a puppy sets the foundation for a lifetime of good health and behaviour. Here’s what every new puppy parent needs to know.

First-time owners0–12 monthsAll breeds

Getting started

The Puppy Essentials Checklist

From nutrition to socialisation, here are the six pillars of a great start for your new puppy.

Remove hazards, secure cables, and create a safe den space before your puppy arrives.

Puppies need calorie-dense, protein-rich puppy food not adult formula. Feed 3–4 times daily until 6 months.

Core vaccines start at 6–8 weeks. Keep a complete record of every dose and booster.

The critical socialisation window is 3–14 weeks. Positive exposure to people, sounds, and environments during this time shapes adult temperament.

Start with sit, stay, and name recognition. Short 5-minute sessions work better than long ones for puppies.

Weekly weigh-ins help confirm your puppy is growing steadily. Log every measurement.

First year milestones

Weeks 6–8First vet visit, core vaccine series begins

Weeks 8–12Peak socialisation window expose safely to new experiences

Weeks 12–16Final core puppy vaccines, begin basic obedience

6 monthsSpay/neuter discussion with vet, transition to 2 meals/day

12 monthsMost small breeds considered adult switch to adult food

18–24 monthsLarge/giant breeds reach adult status monitor weight carefully