Small Dog Puppies:  Your Guide

by Janice Jones    

Who can resist small dog puppies? Let’s face it, all puppies are charming and endearing.

After all, we are a little biased when it comes to that cute little puppy that is going to stay small forever.

Once we get over the too-cute phase, we realize we have a living being who is entirely dependent on our care, our love, and our protection.

While not a human child, a puppy requires similar care to grow into a well-mannered, balanced, happy, and healthy adult. Where do we start?

Have you chosen your new puppy? If not, you might want to examine some of the resources on this site:

Choosing Small Dog Puppies

If you are still unsure about the breed of your dreams, our A-to-Z Small Dog List is a good place to begin.  It has links to many small dog breed pages.  If you are more interested in a hybrid/designer dog, there are many options.

Pick the Right Puppy For You

If you have narrowed down your search, you want to ensure that you have chosen a healthy, psychologically sound puppy.

No puppy will be perfect, but there are simple methods you can use to pick out the perfect puppy—the pick of the litter, so to speak.

After you have read about how to evaluate that perfect puppy for health, it’s time to look at his behavior.  Simple puppy temperament testing can tell you plenty about his personality and if that particular personality will fit your life style.

Feeding Your New Puppy

One of the first questions that new owners ask is what to feed their new puppy.  It is a good question because there are so many choices out there.

• Start by asking what the puppy was eating before coming to live with you.
• Ask your veterinarian, trainer, or breeder for suggestions.
• Consider your budget and schedule.
• Research the different foods available for dogs these days.

Here are just a few of the resources available on this site:

Puppy Dog Psychology

Puppy Development

Many people are interested in puppy development.  Do they go through predictable stages similar to human babies?  Yes, they do. 

Much research has been done in this area, and if you are interested in how a puppy develops from birth to maturity, you will want to browse the stages of puppy development.

Puppy Behavior

While you become an expert on puppy development, you might also be interested in normal puppy behavior  and the language of small dog puppies.  Their barks, yelps, and howls are just one way they communicate.  The more common way that they “talk” to you is through their body language.

Oh, and just in case you have some puppy behavior problems, you'll want to check out this page.  No dog is perfect, but you can achieve some amazing things if you work at it.

Puppy Senses

For the studious puppy parent, you might want to discover your puppy’s senses.  What does the dog see?  What does he taste?  Just how acute is his sense of smell?  The more you know about dogs, the better puppy parent you will be.

Socialization

While we’re on the subject of puppy psychology, everyone agrees that a certain amount and type of socialization is critical in the early weeks for a well-adjusted puppy. 

If you are still in the decision making phase, be sure to choose a breeder who will socialize your puppy properly from the day he is born. 

Safety 

Puppies are very curious and tend to get into trouble in many ways.  From eating something he shouldn't to wandering off and getting lost, puppies are experts at stretching the limits of safety.

Every season brings their own safety concerns, and some of these things are not always obvious. This index of small dog safety introduces you to many of the hazards that puppies can encounter.

Puppy-Proof Your Home

The puppy stage is unbelievably cute, but it is also considerable work.  To make your job just a tiny bit easier, you will want to puppy proof your house because these little guys are… well… Curious beyond words. 

Everything in your home from a foot off the floor could be subjected to the greatest scrutiny, and possible destruction by that cute little puppy.

Safety Through the Year

Each season brings its own set of dangerous.  Knowing what to expect as the seasons change will give you the power to keep your puppy safe.

Safety in the Winter

Springtime Safety

Summer and Hot Weather Safety

Holiday safety tips

First Aid Kit

While you are inspecting your home for possible hazards, you might also want to start a puppy first aid kit. Things happen when you least expect it, so a little advanced preparation never hurts.

To Microchip or Not?

When you take your new puppy to the vet for the first time, you might want to ask about microchipping.  A microchip is a tiny chip that is inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades.  It is highly recommended because these tiny chips might mean the difference between finding him when lost or the unthinkable.

How Big Will My Puppy Get?

There are a number of factors that go into determining the future adult size of a puppy.

• The breed standard
• The size of the parents
• The health and nutrition of the Puppy
• The puppy's activity level and amount of exercise 

Here are a few tips to help you estimate the adult size of your puppy:

• If you are purchasing a dog from a breeder, you should be able to see the parents, or at least the mother.  Ask the breeder how big the parents and grandparents are. Sometimes size skips a generation and it is helpful to know what to expect.
  
  
• If you are adopting a puppy and don't know the background, it is also helpful to look at breed standards.  If you think your puppy is a hybrid of two or more breeds, read the standards for each breed.  These standards are available on the American Kennel Club Site.
  
  
• Another way to get an estimate of the adult size of your puppy is with an online app such as the one at The Goody Pet.  Enter your dog's breed, age or date of birth and choose pounds or kilograms and get a rough estimate of the adult size.

Shopping and Naming

Suggested Puppy Supplies

The fun and anticipation escalate when you do that first haul at the neighborhood pet supply store.  You will want to prepare, and a few chosen items will make those first few days much easier on you.  What puppy supplies will you need?  Be sure to check our our recommendations and go easy at first.  There will always be time to return and shop with your puppy in tow.

How to Choose a Name

Do you have a name picked out? If not, we have page after page of puppy names from which to choose. One name might spark the imagination, and perhaps you will come up with a truly unique and different name for your little one. 

We have many name resources on this site.  Your best bet is to start here at the Dog Names Headquarters and then use the links on that page to select a great name.

Puppy Health Concerns

Preventative Health

New puppy owners are often understandably worried about the health of their new puppy.  This includes all the initial shots needed as well as future health problems.

Learn more about puppy vaccinations

Diseases

There are many diseases that are common in small breed puppies, but there are also diseases that are specific to individual breeds.

I would recommend that you start with the Index of Dog Breeds, click on the breed of your dreams and then read the dog breed profile to learn more about the individual health concerns of the breed.

Dog Breed List:  A to M

Dog Breed List:  N to Z

Training a Puppy

One of the first tasks new puppy owners face is training their new furbaby. Training can be a great bonding experience, but it can also be challenging. 

Not all small dog breeds are equally easy to train.  Some are stubborn, others are independent. 

Some have long attention spans, and others can't stay for more than a couple of seconds.

Training should begin the moment your new puppy comes home.  House training is usually the first task, and then comes the basic commands. 

Here is a good article to begin your training adventure.

Puppy Training Tips

Keeping, Loving, and Caring for Your Small Dog Puppy

Do you know what to feed your puppy, and how often?

Do you know what vaccinations and worming he will need?

How about Puppy Teething Symptoms?  Can You identify?

Do you know how to bathe  or groom him?

How about dental care?  Know how to brush his teeth?

Do you know what to do if your puppy has diarrhea or is vomiting

Worried about fleas?  Ticks?

Are you worried about weird behaviors such as a puppy eating his own feces?

What is the best way to housebreak your puppy?

Where do you start with training? 

Curious why your puppy is sneezing?

When do Puppies Loose their Baby Teeth?

We have answers right here at Small Dog Place! 

Small Dog Puppies:  Pin for Future Reference

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