Do you remember the first day you brought your small puppy home? How they tripped over their toys, wagged their tiny tails, and gave you those adorable puppy dog eyes?
22nd March 2024
Are you a proud new puppy parent looking for some guidance on how to ensure your furry friend grows up healthy and happy? Follow these five essential tips for puppy development to give your little one the start in life they deserve.
1. Nutrition is Key
One of the most crucial aspects of puppy development is ensuring they receive proper nutrition. A balanced diet is essential for their growth and overall health. Choose a high-quality puppy food that is formulated to meet the specific needs of growing puppies and provides them with all the necessary nutrients they need to thrive. ORIJEN biologically appropriate food mirrors the rich, fresh variety of WholePrey meats that dogs have evolved to eat. ORIJEN™ Puppy diet is packed with 85%* quality animal ingredients like fresh or raw** free-run*** chicken and turkey, and wild-caught or sustainably farmed fish. Packed with WholePrey animal ingredients like muscle meat organs and bone, ORIJEN food is made with the most nutrient-dense, succulent parts of the prey to deliver the nutrition puppies need. Discover the full range of ORIJEN Puppy food.
2. Socialisation is Vital
Socialisation plays a significant role in a puppy’s development and starts before you bring your new puppy home with your breeder or rescue. Exposure to different environments, people, and animals from a young age helps them become well-adjusted and confident adults. Socialisation continues when you bring them in to your own home, attending puppy classes and out on walks. Find out more about puppy socialisation including the key development milestones.
3. Consistent Training
Consistent training is essential for a well-behaved and obedient puppy. Start with basic commands like sit, loose lead walking , and come, and gradually introduce more advanced training as they grow older. Positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, are effective ways to encourage good behaviour and strengthen the bond between you and your puppy. Visit bluecross.org.uk for further advice and puppy training videos.
4. Regular Exercise
Puppies are bundles of energy that require exercise to stay healthy and happy. Regular exercise not only helps them stay physically fit but also helps with mental stimulation and prevents boredom. That said, it’s important to avoid over-exercising them while their bones are still forming so be mindful to adjust their exercise according to their age, size and breed (Learn more). Play, short walks and training are all great activities to build your puppy’s fitness, strength and confidence.
5. Regular Vet Check-ups
Regular vet check-ups are crucial for monitoring your puppy’s health and development. Schedule regular visits to the vet for vaccinations, deworming, and overall health assessments. Your vet can provide valuable guidance on your puppy’s diet, exercise routine, and any health concerns that may arise.
Remember, patience, consistency, and love are key ingredients in raising a happy and well-rounded puppy.
*Approximate and derived from the unprocessed state of the ingredients.
**Our fresh ingredients use refrigeration as the sole method of preservation and our raw ingredients are frozen at their peak freshness.
***Our free-run chickens and turkeys are not housed in cages and are able to move in a barn without outdoor access.
