How Much Daily Care Does Your Puppy Need?

Puppies require extra time and attention, and taking care of them is no joke! If this is your first time to raise a pup, then you should prepare for near-constant care. Aside from regular potty breaks, you would need to feed them frequently and socialize often so they get along well with people and other pets. While caring for a puppy takes a minimum of a few hours spread throughout the day, training them early on can raise the amount of time spent caring for them much higher.House TrainingWhen pups are 8 weeks of age, they can typically control their bladders for 2 hours. Pet parents need to be there especially if you want to expedite housebreaking. Take your puppy to a designated spot after waking up, after playtime, and after feedings as well. In the evening, your puppy will need to go out at least once a night. As he grows up, he will eventually be able to go a full 7 or 8 hours without a potty break if he doesn’t drink water at least 2 hours before sleep. Sitters can also take on this responsibility, especially when pet owners are at work.FeedingAside from having a small bladder, your puppy also has a small tummy. His small stomach means that he can’t ingest large amounts of food with each feeding and you would have to feed him 3 to 4 times each day until your pup turns 6 months old. Once he turns 6 months old, you can reduce the number of feedings to around twice a day. Keeping your puppy on a regular daily feeding schedule helps to regulate his potty schedule as well. Place his food down for no longer than half an hour and remove the dog bowl after that time passes. You might need to supervise your puppy so he eats his food properly. If you’re at work, you will need to get a sitter to drop by for a midday feeding.