Puppies

Bringing a puppy home is pure joy, but it also comes with important responsibilities. At Northwest Animal Hospital, we want to help you give your puppy the healthiest start in life. Here’s a simple, easy-to-follow guide for your puppy’s first year.

8 Weeks – First Step Toward Protection

• First vaccines: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
• Optional vaccines discussed (Bordetella, Lyme)
• Stool sample to check for intestinal parasites
• Deworming, if needed

12 Weeks – Strengthening Immunity

• DHPP booster and first Leptospirosis vaccine
• Stool sample follow-up
• Deworming, if necessary

16 Weeks – Final Vaccines

• Final DHPP booster, Leptospirosis booster, and Rabies vaccine
• Deworming, as needed

6–8 Months – Growing Up Healthy

• Spay/Neuter to support long-term health and prevent unwanted litters

Spring (May–June) – Seasonal Preventive Care

• Heartworm testing and start of preventative medication (given April–November)
• Tick-borne disease testing and prevention

Protecting Your Puppy from Intestinal Parasites

Parasite infections are common in puppies. Many of these parasites are worms and single-celled organisms that live and reproduce in the intestines. The most common ones are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms, and the single-cell parasites coccidia and Giardia.They can pass from mother to puppy before birth or through nursing, and even tiny eggs in the environment can infect your puppy. Protecting your puppy protects your whole family.

Can worms spread to people?

Yes. Many parasites are zoonotic, meaning they can affect humans too. Symptoms range from mild stomach upset or skin irritation to more serious health issues. Keeping up with deworming and regular stool checks keeps everyone safe.

Deworming Plan for Puppies

• Every 2 weeks until 3 months old, then once more at 4 months
• Helps break the parasite cycle and protect your puppy as they grow

Why Stool Samples Matter

• Detect parasites even before your puppy shows symptoms
• Ensure previous treatments worked
• Guide future deworming plans

Keeping Your Family Safe By Following These: 

• Submit a stool sample yearly
• Follow deworming schedule carefully
• Clean up stools immediately
• Wash hands after handling your puppy
• Pregnant women should avoid handling puppy 

Heartworm Disease: Protect Your Puppy’s Heart

What is Heartworm disease? 

Heartworm disease is a serious condition caused by tiny parasites that live in the heart and nearby blood vessels. These worms can grow up to 35 cm long, putting immense strain on your puppy’s heart and lungs. Left untreated, heartworm disease can be fatal.

How puppies get heartworm:

Mosquitoes carry the parasite and can infect your puppy during the warmer months of spring and summer.

Signs to watch for:

Heartworm disease can take 6–7 months to show symptoms. Early warning signs include fatigue, weight loss, and a persistent cough. By the time symptoms appear, the disease may already be advanced.

Prevention is the best protection:

Monthly preventative medication during mosquito season (June–November), along with annual testing, is strongly recommended. While treatment is possible, it can be complex and costly, and requires close supervision by your veterinarian. Prevention truly is easier—and safer than cure.

House Training: Helping Your Puppy Thrive

Teaching your puppy where to go to the bathroom is one of the most important lessons in their first months. It takes patience, consistency, and love, but it is also deeply rewarding.

Keys to success:

• Manage your puppy’s environment to prevent accidents.
• Keep a regular feeding schedule.
• Pick up uneaten food after 15 minutes.
• Reward your puppy immediately for eliminating in the right place.

House training tips:

• Use a cue word, like “Outside,” to let your puppy know where to go.
• Don’t rely on walks for bathroom breaks, take them directly to the elimination area.
• Reward every successful attempt outside with a treat or praise.

Supervision is crucial:

Puppies give subtle signals when they need to go: sniffing the floor, circling, or heading toward the door. Watch closely, and if an accident starts, gently redirect them to the correct spot. Never scold your puppy, accidents are learning opportunities, not mistakes.

Timing guide:

• 8-week-old puppies can usually hold it for 3 hours.
• 16-week-old puppies can hold it for 5 hours.
• Puppies need to eliminate after waking up, after naps, after play, after eating or drinking, before crate time, and before bedtime.

Teaching your puppy to communicate:

Encourage your puppy to let you know when they need to go outside. Train them to bark, sit, or ring a bell on the door. Reward communication immediately so they learn to signal effectively.

Troubleshooting:

If accidents persist:

• Rule out medical issues with your veterinarian.
• Reintroduce cues consistently.
• Ensure rewards happen at the location of elimination, not after coming inside.

Socialization: Building a Confident Puppy

Socialization is one of the most important gifts you can give your puppy. Expose them to new people, animals, places, and experiences gradually:

• Visits to the veterinary clinic without examination
• Parks, playgrounds, busy streets, and safe exposure to children and elderly people
• People wearing hats, sunglasses, costumes, or uniforms
• Other pets, properly vaccinated and calm

Allow your puppy to approach at their own pace and never force interactions. Puppy classes can be a wonderful way to introduce social skills, but avoid trainers who use harsh corrections. Early experiences shape your puppy’s lifelong confidence.

Textures & Confidence: Helping Your Puppy Explore the World

Your puppy will encounter all kinds of surfaces: grass, sand, gravel, ice, water puddles, carpets, and more. Let them explore each texture at their own pace.

Build confidence with a fun course:

• Use household items: broom handles, hula hoops, cardboard, umbrellas, or plastic bags.
• Introduce one obstacle at a time.
• Walk slowly through the course with your puppy on a leash, stopping often to praise and pet them.

Gradually, your puppy will learn to navigate new challenges calmly, building independence and confidence.

Socialization with Children: Building Safe Bonds

Puppies and children can form wonderful friendships, but they should never be left unsupervised. Puppies may bite in self-defense if startled, and children may unintentionally provoke a reaction.

Tips for safe introductions:

• Let the puppy approach the child first.
• Have the child extend a hand, palm down, about three feet away, and allow the puppy to sniff.
• If the puppy backs away, don’t force interaction. Patience builds trust.
• Teach children to pet gently, avoid the head at first, and speak softly.

Multiple children: Introduce one at a time to avoid overwhelming the puppy. Shy or timid puppies should be given extra time and positive reinforcement, like treats, to encourage comfortable interactions.

Safety with unfamiliar dogs: Children should never approach a strange dog without the owner’s permission. Always approach from the side, never head-on, and never reach over the dog’s head.

Consistency in the Family

Every family member should be on the same page when training your puppy:

• Consistent words, rules, and expectations prevent confusion.
• Children under supervision can help with training.
• Discuss natural behaviors like chewing and scratching, and teach children that cruelty is unacceptable.

Daily needs for puppies:

• Regular meals and clean water
• Frequent potty breaks and naps
• Playtime, exercise, and mental stimulation
• Safe spaces when unsupervised

Family action plan: Assign responsibilities:

• Feeding, water, bedding
• Training: house, crate, and socialization
• Grooming, nail trimming, and teeth cleaning
• Supervision and playtime

End each training session positively and keep it short. 5–10 minutes for puppies works best. Gradually increase duration as your puppy matures.

Grooming: Bonding Through Care

Brushing & Combing:

• Choose brushes with rounded edges and cushioning to avoid hurting your puppy.
• If your puppy resists, stop and let them explore the brush with treats.
• Gradually introduce gentle strokes and reward calm behaviour.
• Build trust over time. Daily brushing helps your puppy learn that grooming is safe and enjoyable.

Ear Cleaning:

• Use only vet-recommended ear-cleaning products.
• Start by gently touching the ears, pairing with treats.
• Slowly lift and examine the ears once comfortable.
• Check for odour, redness, or discharge and any concerns should be addressed by a veterinarian promptly.

Nail Trimming:

• Desensitize paws by gently handling them and offering treats.
• Let the puppy explore the clippers first.
• Trim small amounts gradually, avoiding the quick.
• If the puppy resists, stop and try later. Patience now prevents fear later.

Teeth Cleaning:

• Begin by gently touching lips and gums, rewarding calm behavior.
• Introduce a puppy-safe toothbrush and dental cleanser.
• Use a cue like “toothbrush time” to create a routine.
• Brush daily if possible, moving slowly and stopping if the puppy shows discomfort.

Key Message:

Patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are the foundation for raising a confident, happy puppy. Short, gentle sessions for grooming, training, and socialization build trust and create lifelong habits that make both your puppy and your family happier.

Pet Insurance: Protecting Your Puppy’s Health

Your puppy is more than a pet, they’re a beloved family member. Pet insurance is a great way to ensure your furry friend gets the care they need, without financial stress. Today, pet insurance can cover everything from routine wellness visits to unexpected emergencies, giving you peace of mind knowing your puppy is protected.

Plans and premiums can vary, so it’s important to research and choose the coverage that best fits your puppy’s needs and your family’s budget.

Some trusted pet insurance providers in Canada include: