Dog Lifestages — Puppy (1-12 months)
Puppy Tips
Your puppy’s temperament and behavior are developed within the first 16 weeks of his life. The more time he spends around people and other dogs the less aggressive his instincts will be.
Watch your puppy’s stool. Yes, it’s not very pleasant, but it could save her life. If you notice any diarrhea or blood, bring her into the vet as soon as possible.
ALL puppies need to be immunized to protect them from disease. Make a schedule with your vet and follow through on it.
Puppies need special care, after all…they’re just babies! Younger dogs need annual health exams, initial vaccination series, flea &tick control treatments and more. Get your puppy on the road to great health with VCA.
Call us at 610-967-2156 to make an appointment today.
Puppy Pavilion
If you’re caring for a puppy (1-12 months) this is the place for you. We’ve got tips, tricks, advice and the latest news on proper puppy development.
Basic Care
The first few months are crucial to your puppy’s health. Here, you’ll find links to articles on basic care
including behavior, grooming, exercise and more.
- Puppy Basics 101 - How to Care for Your New Dog
- Puppy Socialization
- How to Select a Puppy That's Right for You
- Puppy Proof Your Home
Nutrition
Puppies require different levels of nutrients than older dogs do. That’s why they should be fed only
puppy food for their first year of life. Find out more about puppy-specific nutrition.
Medical
Puppies need special preventative care including vaccinations and parasite medications. Read more on how
often your puppy needs to see the vet.
Training
Training a puppy is a great idea. It encourages good behavior early and ensures you won’t have to break
bad habits later. It’s also easier than you may think!
- Puppy Training 101: How to Properly Socialize Your Dog
- Why Veterinarians and Trainers Alike Love Crates for House-Training Puppies
- 7 Trainer-Approved Puppy Housebreaking Tips
- Five Training Tips for New Puppy Owners
- How Can I Keep My Puppy From Biting Me?
- How Do I Keep My Puppy From Chewing Everything in My House?
- How to Potty-Train a Puppy: 5 Puddle-Proof Tips to Follow
Puppy to Adult Dog
So your little puppy is all grown up. Are you ready for it? Adult dogs have specific nutrition, exercise, grooming and basic care requirements. There are many things to watch for and keep in mind as your puppy’s needs evolve into those of an adult dog. Learn about the “Adult Dog” Lifestage »
Best Care Little Bundles for Puppies includes:*
- 3 physical exams
- Puppy Vaccinations
- Vaccines recommended for all puppies include:
- Canine distemper virus
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine adenovirus-2 (hepatitis)
- Canine parainfluenza (CPiV)
- Canine leptospirosis
- Canine rabies virus
- Vaccines recommended for puppies in special circumstances:*
- Bordetella bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough)
- Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease)
- Canine influenza virus (CIV)
- Intestinal parasite examinations (2)
- Heartworm test (for puppies aged 6-12 months)
- De-worming treatments (1 per visit)
- Nutritional consultation
- Microchip and/or annual enrollment
- First dose of internal/external parasite control
- Best Care Little Bundles Puppy Booklet
* Valid only for Puppies up to 12 months old. Each plan will be tailored by the attending veterinarian to the individual needs of your pet and may include some, all or additional vaccines than those listed here. The plan is not intended for sick pets and must be completed within 90 days of the initial visit. This offer is non-refundable, and cannot be combined with other offers.
Adult Best Care Checkup includes:*
- Complete history and physical exam
- Blood work (CBC + 8 tests)
- Urinalysis
- Fecal test (check for common parasites)
- Heartworm test
*Not valid for pets over 7 years old. Not appropriate for sick pets. Additional fees for vaccinations or medications may apply. Not to be combined with any other offer.
Senior Best Care Checkup includes:*
- Complete history and physical exam
- Blood work (CBC + 30 tests)
- Urinalysis
- Fecal test (check for common parasites)
- Heartworm test
- 5 X-ray images (Chest and Abdomen)
* Valid only for pets 7 years old and over. Not appropriate for sick pets. Additional fees for vaccinations or medications may apply. Not to be combined with any other offer.
