Things we wish we knew before getting a puppy (yes, including our top dog food rec!)

My complete answer to the question “what do you wish you knew before you got your dog?” would be a full-length book. Oh, the lessons we learn as we grow with our companions!

After fostering several shelter dogs, training my own rescued blue heeler, and talking with fellow pet parents, I’ve condensed the list to three main things we wish we could tell our past selves.

Nutrition is just as important for pups as it is for people

What we eat affects how we feel. This truth is even more important for puppies who are growing quickly—and need a complete, balanced diet to support bone, muscle, and brain development. (Remember: Depending on breed and adult size, your puppy isn’t fully mature until two to three years of age!)

“Choosing fresh, high-quality ingredients is crucial for ensuring the best nutritional outcomes for your pet,” says Dr. Matthew Wheaton, Alicia Pet Care Center chief of staff. He often recommends Ollie, a premium fresh food brand, to his patients.

Ollie can give new puppy parents peace of mind because:

• The subscription ships directly to your home, eliminating the need for last-minute trips to the store.
• All the brand’s recipes are developed by a veterinary nutritionist and based on the latest research. “This allows [Ollie] to make informed updates and improvements to their recipes, ensuring the best outcomes for pets,” says Wheaton.
• Ollie’s experts also help ensure your puppy gets the perfect portions as they grow up. Developing dogs need the right fuel!
• Domestic dogs are natural predators and scavengers. Because of these instincts, they enjoy the different textures and protein options in Ollie’s recipes. Variety can make sure your pup stays excited for mealtime!
• Ollie offers different meal plans and lets you customize your pup’s individual recipes.
• Fresh, soft food fits perfectly in a variety of enrichment toys. (Puzzles like frozen Kongs and lick mats are especially helpful for puppy crate training.)

Want to try it? Use code JUNIPER50 and enjoy 50% off your first box!

Consistency is key

Puppyhood is full of joy… but also full of challenges. Anyone who’s experienced the puppy blues—a common, temporary period of overwhelm sometimes likened to postpartum depression—knows that firsthand.

But nothing gets you and your new pup through tough times like consistent boundaries and routines. That’s because:

• Puppies are infants. Their whole world has been turned upside down when they arrive into your home. They don’t know what to expect—or what’s expected of them! Creating predictability can help them feel safe. And the safer they feel, the better they’ll be able to learn.
• Pups naturally test boundaries as they figure out their new environment. You’ll confuse your new dog if you aren’t consistent about what is and isn’t okay. (Too often I see pet parents getting frustrated with their dog for being stubborn, when really the pup is just confused.) If you’re always reliable, though? You’ll both settle in more quickly.

Prioritize play

One of the best things you can do with your new dog is play. (This is one of my biggest passions.) There are so many benefits to letting loose with your pup:

• People and dogs both learn through play, especially in infancy and adolescence. This is a great opportunity to teach your dog life skills like tenacity, resilience, and impulse control!
• Play build a strong bond between pup and handler.
• Thoughtful games give your dog the chance to act on their natural instincts in a safe way, fulfilling their biological needs and reducing the odds of larger behavioral problems down the line.
• It’s just plain fun. Didn’t we get dogs to have fun with them, after all?

Need more puppy prowess?

Check out our free, in-depth Puppy 101: Raise Your New Dog Right guide.