Puppy care, month by month
A puppy's first months pass at astonishing speed. This guide breaks down what matters at each age - body, food, training and health. Note that Japanese law bans the sale of puppies aged 56 days or less, so a puppy joins your home at roughly two months old at the earliest.
Age-by-age guide
Up to 2 months: time with mother and littermates
Play-fighting with littermates teaches bite inhibition and dog-to-dog communication; puppies that get this time develop fewer biting problems later. Your job meanwhile: get the room and equipment ready (see Preparing for a Dog).
2-3 months: homecoming and the vaccine programme
Most puppies come home now, right in the middle of the combination-vaccine programme (shots at roughly 8, 12 and 16 weeks). No ground walks until the programme is complete - but carry the puppy outdoors, invite visitors, and keep socialisation going.
- Food: puppy formula, 3-4 meals a day, moistened kibble moving to dry Find puppy food
- Toilet training starts now: guide after waking and after meals, praise success
- Teething nips begin - play with toys, never with hands Find chew toys
3-4 months: first walks and peak socialisation
Once the vaccine programme is complete (follow your vet's advice), walks begin: doorstep, then around the block, then short routes, meeting sounds, people and other dogs gradually. Rich experiences before roughly 4 months of age are the best prevention of adult fearfulness and barking.
- Practise harness and lead indoors before going out Find harnesses
- Teething intensifies - always have a legal chewing target available
4-5 months: adult teeth and meal transition
Baby teeth give way to adult teeth and chewing urges peak. Redirect to chew toys rather than scolding. This is also when you can start moving from three meals a day toward two, guided by growth and your vet.
Short, frequent training sessions (5 minutes, several times a day) suit this attention span best - see Dog Training Basics.
Feeding basics for puppies
- Choose food labelled for puppies - growth-stage nutrition differs from adult food
- Adjust amounts by the package guide plus body condition: loose stools suggest too much, hard pellets too little
- Treats are training rewards, capped at about 10% of daily calories Find training treats
- Never feed: chocolate, onions and leeks, grapes, xylitol - all toxic to dogs
Puppy health schedule
| Item | When |
|---|---|
| Combination vaccine | 2-3 shots at roughly 8, 12 and 16 weeks (programmes vary by clinic) |
| Rabies vaccine | First shot from 91 days old, then yearly (legal duty) |
| Dog registration | Within 30 days of arrival (legal duty) |
| Heartworm / flea-tick prevention | Matched to the local mosquito season - ask your vet |
| Neutering consultation | Commonly around 6 months; discuss pros and cons with your vet |
Full details and costs: Vet Visits & Vaccinations.
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Frequently asked questions
From what age can a puppy come home?
Japanese law bans selling puppies aged 56 days or less, so homecoming happens after 8 weeks - in practice usually at two to three months old.
When can walks start?
After the combination-vaccine programme is complete, typically around 3-4 months old. Before that, carrying the puppy outdoors builds familiarity with sounds and sights.
What about crying at night?
Night crying in the first days reflects the stress of the move and usually fades within a week. Check that all is safe, then avoid rushing over each time - puppies quickly learn that crying summons company.
When can a puppy stay home alone?
From around 3-4 months, in small steps: start with a few minutes, leave water and a chew toy in the pen, and extend gradually.
When do meals go from three to two a day?
Most owners transition around 5-6 months, watching growth and stools, ideally with the vet's guidance.