New Puppy Essentials

Everything you need to welcome your new puppy home with confidence. From those first days together to feeding, training, and beyond—we've got you covered.

Welcome Home

Taking home your new puppy is an exciting milestone! Your puppy is experiencing an entirely new environment, and they'll need special love and patience as they adjust. 

Give them time. It's completely normal for puppies to need several days to settle in. This is a critical window for socialization, so keep your regular routine going and gently bring your puppy along for the ride. Before you know it, you'll have created your "new normal" together.

Puppies have boundless energy, but can easily overdo it! Ensure your puppy has: 

Regular nap times to rest and recharge
A warm, cozy place to sleep
Time between play sessions to eat and drink
Supervision when meeting other pets or experiencing new situations

Important: Keep your puppy away from dog parks and other animals until they've completed all puppy immunization shots (typically around 4-5 months of age). Puppies aren't fully protected from devastating viruses until all booster shots are complete.

Potty Training Success

Reading the Signs

Watch for cues that your puppy has to go to the bathroom—typically sniffing and circling. When you see these signs, take your puppy outside immediately. Praise them when they go, but avoid punishing accidents—they won't understand and may learn to hide when they need to go.

The Crate Training Method

Crates are what we recommend for potty training. Dogs instinctively keep their sleeping and eating areas clean, so your puppy will naturally avoid going in their crate. 

The routine:

Keep your puppy in the crate when not directly supervised
Take them outside every 45 minutes to one hour (and once during the night)
Use the same door and the same spot every time
Be consistent—it will pay off!

Start Your Application

Feeding Guidelines

Please choose a high-quality, nutritionally dense dog food. Once your puppy is 6 months to 1 year old, you can transition them to adult or "All Life Stages" food.

Feeding Tips:
Follow the directions on the bag for the age and weight of your puppy
Monitor actual consumption—just because you put food down doesn't mean they're eating it. Pay close attention to how much they are actually eating.
Switch to adult food between 9-12 months of age

Looking for our food recommendation?

See what we trust and feed our puppies →
Switching Foods Safely
Always transition gradually over 3 days:

Day 1: 75% old food + 25% new food
Day 2: 50% old food + 50% new food
Day 3: 25% old food + 75% new food
Important Note for Small & Toy Breeds
Small toy breed puppies have limited fat reserves, making frequent meals essential. Missing even a single meal can cause dangerously low glucose levels (hypoglycemia). Once glucose drops too low, puppies may become confused and refuse food altogether. Feed small meals frequently and monitor closely.

What We Feed Our Puppies

Why We Choose Life’s Abundance

Why We Choose Life’s Abundance
We believe in nourishing your puppy's growing body with high-quality, nutrient-dense food. After extensive research, we've chosen Life's Abundance Small & Medium Puppy Food as our trusted recommendation. 

Once your puppy is 6 months to 1 year old, you can transition them to Life’s Abundance “All Life Stage” food.

What Makes Them Different:

Holistically formulated with no strange ingredients or unhealthy preservatives
Home delivery shipped directly to your door—no warehouse storage for month
Zero recalls in company history
Triple protein sources plus antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E
No corn, wheat, or gluten (grain-free option available for dogs with allergies)
Pre and probiotics to support gut health and digestion
Nutrient-dense formula means you feed less and they poop less

Order Life’s Abundance

Prefer a Different Brand?
We're happy to give you tips and guide you through a safe transition process—just reach out!

New Puppy Shopping List

Getting ready for your puppy? Here's everything you'll need to create a safe, comfortable home for your new companion.

The Essentials:

Airline-approved travel carrier
High-calorie supplement for travel days
Potty pads
Puppy-safe shampoo & cleaning products
Supplements (as recommended by your vet)
Puppy toothbrush
No-pull harness
4-6 foot leash
Stainless steel food & water bowls
Healthy training treats
Grooming brush (appropriate for coat type)
Non-toxic chew toys
Orthopedic dog bed
House training crate (sized for adult weight)

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Treats, Grooming, and Extras

Other essentials we love from Life’s Abundance!

Porky Puffs – A safe, satisfying alternative to rawhide
Buffalo Bully Sticks – Helps reduce tartar and maintain dental health
Grain-Free Turkey & Berry Chewies – Nutrient-dense treats with turkey liver, pumpkin, and berries
Biodeodorizer Spray – Contains friendly bacteria that eliminate unwanted scents safely
Bath Fresh Mist – Promotes healthy, vibrant coats with moisture-activated odor control, safely absorbing and neutralizing unpleasant odors
Revitalizing Shampoo – Made with organic rosemary and sage, enhanced with coconut and palm kernel oil to naturally cleanse and beautify coats