Bringing a puppy home is pure joy and a significant responsibility. Here is a clear, vet-approved plan from Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic to give your pup the healthiest start. We keep visits calm and positive, and tailor timing to your puppy’s lifestyle. Because one size does not fit all, we will personalize timing and treatments after we examine your puppy and discuss options that align with your situation, priorities and budget.

At-a-Glance Schedule

This is our usual schedule. If your puppy is starting late or has missed a dose, we will design a catch-up plan by age. We also offer split vaccine visits for low-stress appointments.

8–10 weeks

• DHPP #1 (distemper, adenovirus or hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus)
• Fresh stool sample test available for screening
• Deworming
• Flea and tick prevention

12 weeks

• DHPP #2
• Lifestyle vaccines (Bordetella or kennel cough, Lyme, Lepto) #1
• Stool sample or follow-up test available to check efficacy and safety
• Deworming or parasite prevention

16 weeks

• DHPP #3 (final puppy booster)
• Lifestyle vaccines (Bordetella or kennel cough, Lyme, Lepto) #2
• Rabies
• Deworming or parasite prevention as needed

12 months after the 16-week visit

• DHPP booster
• Rabies booster
• Annual Leptospirosis, Bordetella or Lyme based on lifestyle

Important Note: Vaccine choices depend on your puppy’s lifestyle (travel, boarding, daycare, hikes). Discussing lifestyle vaccines (Bordetella or kennel cough, Lyme) may adjust the 12 and 16 week visits. We follow current canine vaccine guidelines and will personalize timing and product type for your dog.

Spay or Neuter

Recommendations are based on breed and expected adult size (especially large or giant breeds), sex or heat status, behaviour or household goals, and current health (umbilical hernia, retained baby teeth or malocclusion, cryptorchid testicle, orthopaedic risk, endocrine or neoplasia considerations).

For predisposed breeds we can combine surgery with OFA or PennHIP radiographs and in deep-chested dogs we can discuss prophylactic gastropexy. We offer pre-anaesthetic bloodwork to identify hidden issues early and support better recovery. Ask about a microchip if not already placed. Your pet goes home with a tailored pain-control and recovery plan. Home care includes an e-collar and restricted activity for 10 to 14 days.

Spay Timing (Female)

Best practice is to spay your pet before the first heat to lower the risk of mammary gland tumour later in life.
Typical windows:
• Small or medium breeds: 6 to 9 months
• Large or giant breeds: 12 to 18 months

Neuter Timing (Male)

In a healthy male dog, delaying neutering until your pet has reached adult size supports proper growth and musculoskeletal development. This is especially important for large-breed dogs where joint maturity plays a major role in long-term health. The ideal timing varies, and your veterinarian will consider breed, age, size and overall health to determine the safest schedule.

Parasites: What to Know

Intestinal parasites are common in puppies. Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, coccidia and Giardia can cause diarrhea, vomiting, poor growth and a pot-bellied appearance. Puppies may be infected from their mother or from the environment.

Can parasites affect people? Yes. Some are zoonotic and can infect humans. Good hygiene, regular deworming and prompt clean-up protect the whole family.

Deworming and Stool Checks

• Deworming plan: every 2 weeks until about 12 weeks, then again around 16 weeks. Higher-risk homes may continue monthly until 6 months.
• Stool tests detect parasites before signs appear and confirm successful treatment.
• First-year fecals: plan 1 to 4 tests (intake, after deworming, and again by 6 to 12 months).
• Adult dogs: yearly fecal for most, every 3 to 6 months for dogs who hunt, eat wildlife or visit dog parks frequently.

Fleas and Ticks (combined prevention)

Most modern preventives cover both fleas and ticks. Consistent use helps prevent tapeworm transmission (via flea control) and lowers the risk of tick-borne disease. Use vet-recommended prevention year-round or seasonally depending on local risk.
Tip: Perform thorough tick checks after hikes or outdoor activity.

Heartworm

Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes and adult worms damage the heart and lungs. Risk varies by region, and travel changes exposure. If your puppy came from or will travel to a heartworm-endemic area, ask us about testing and prevention before travel.

Family Safety

• Submit a stool sample yearly
• Follow deworming schedules
• Pick up stools promptly
• Wash hands after handling pets or soil
• Pregnant individuals should avoid handling feces

House Training (Toilet Training)

Keys to success include managing the environment, keeping a feeding schedule and rewarding immediately for outdoor success.
• Use a cue such as “Outside”.
• Take your puppy directly to the toilet spot.
• Watch for signals like sniffing, circling or heading to the door.
• Interrupt gently if an accident starts. Never punish.
• Timing guideline: 2 to 3 hours at 8 weeks; 4 to 5 hours at 16 weeks.
• Most puppies need to go after waking, playing, eating or drinking, before crate time and at bedtime.
• Teach a signal (sit, bark or bell-ring) and reward both the signal and the outdoor success.

If accidents persist, rule out medical issues, refresh cues and ensure rewards happen outdoors.

Socialization: Building Confidence

Early positive exposure builds resilience. Aim for daily low-stress experiences:
• Clinic happy visits to build confidence
• People variety such as hats, sunglasses, uniforms or mobility aids
• Environments such as parks, sidewalks, different surface types
• Dogs: limit interactions to known, vaccinated, well-mannered dogs until vaccines are complete
• Positive-reinforcement puppy classes around 12 weeks with veterinary approval

Let your puppy set the pace and avoid force or harsh corrections.

Puppy Gentling (Cooperative Care)

Help your puppy accept handling so vet and grooming visits remain low-stress.
• Short sessions 60 to 90 seconds, 1 to 2 times daily
• Touch ears, lift lips, peek at teeth, touch paws or toes, tap nail clippers briefly, lift tail, collar grabs
• Pair each touch with treats or calm praise
• Practice brief stand, sit and side-lie positions
• Introduce soft towels on tables and low-volume clinic sounds

Goal: a puppy who opts in to handling.

Textures and Confidence

Let your puppy explore grass, gravel, sand, carpet, ramps and shallow water.
• Build a simple confidence course at home (broom handles, boxes, umbrellas, crinkly bags)
• Go one obstacle at a time
• Reward curiosity and calm behaviour

Children and Other Pets

Children

• Supervise always
• Allow puppy to approach first
• Coach gentle petting along the back or shoulders
• Introduce one child at a time

Existing Dogs

• Begin with parallel walks
• Short, leashed meetings
• Reward calm behaviour
• Use gates or pens for space

Cats

• Start with scent swaps
• Feed on opposite sides of a door
• Use baby gates or a carrier for controlled introductions
• Provide the cat with vertical space and separate resources

Short, positive sessions work best.

Consistency in the Family

Keep words, rules and rewards consistent.
• Regular meals and clean water
• Frequent toilet breaks and naps
• Play, exercise and mental enrichment
• Safe rest spaces
• Assign responsibilities for feeding, training, outings, grooming and supervision
• Keep training sessions short and positive

Foreign-Body (FB) Ingestion — Common Puppy Hazards

Avoid items such as socks, underwear, corn cobs, cooked bones, rocks, string, hair ties, squeaker toys with loose parts, batteries, ear plugs or fruit pits.
Watch for vomiting, drooling, pawing at the mouth, tense belly, lethargy or lack of stools.
Do not induce vomiting unless directed. Never pull visible string from the mouth or rectum. Call us immediately.

Holiday and Household Hazards

Avoid grapes or raisins, chocolate, xylitol, onions or garlic, marijuana or edibles, human pain medications, rodenticides and compost or garbage.

Puppy Dental and Developmental Notes

• Retained baby teeth often need removal to prevent crowding
• Bite alignment issues such as narrow canines or over or under bites may require intervention
• Teething: use only chews that pass the fingernail test
• Start gentle oral care early and aim for daily brushing
• Request a juvenile dental check at 6 to 8 months

Hernias and Cryptorchidism

• Umbilical hernias may close by 4 to 6 months or be repaired during spay or neuter
• Inguinal hernias require assessment
• Cryptorchidism requires surgical removal; do not breed affected dogs

Grooming: Bonding Through Care

• Choose soft brushes and pair grooming with treats
• Use vet-approved ear cleaners only
• Trim nails frequently in tiny amounts
• Begin routine toothbrushing early

Area and Environment-Specific Health Notes

• Kennel cough is common in shared pet areas; Bordetella or parainfluenza vaccines help reduce risk
• Parvovirus is a serious risk for under-vaccinated puppies; avoid high traffic dog areas until vaccines are complete plus 7 to 10 days
• Leptospirosis risk may increase in areas with wildlife or standing water; we vaccinate when indicated
• Giardia or coccidia may cause intermittent diarrhea
• Ringworm is zoonotic and presents as circular hair loss
• Ear mites may appear in multi-pet homes or outdoor settings

Low-Stress Vet Visits

• Practice short car rides and use familiar bedding
• Ask us about calming medications like gabapentin or trazodone if needed
• You may choose to wait in your car before the appointment
• We use cooperative handling, high-value treats and can schedule shorter happy visits

When to Contact Us

Call if you notice vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, laboured breathing, lethargy, pain, loss of appetite or anything that concerns you. Puppies can change quickly and early intervention matters.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance can offset unexpected costs. Review waiting periods, pre-existing condition rules, reimbursement percentage, annual limits and deductibles. Ask about direct-pay vs owner reimbursement and pre-approval for major procedures.
Examples in Canada: Trupanion, Pets Plus Us, Fetch. Many families also set aside a monthly savings fund.

Final Note

We are here to help every step of the way. Contact Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic to schedule your puppy’s first visit and set the foundation for a healthy, confident life.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every pet is unique. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your animal’s specific health condition before taking any action or changing their care routine.