Puppy Guide
Bringing a new puppy home is a big, happy job. Here's what we've learned looking after dogs every day at the resort, plus a starter pack sized for your pup so you're set up from day one.
New puppy? Get free pet insurance cover for your first weeks together
Your first months together
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Before they come home
Set up a quiet spot with a crate or bed, a water bowl and a couple of chew toys. Puppy-proof the house by moving cords, shoes and anything you don't want chewed.
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The first week
Keep things calm and predictable: the same meal times, short play sessions and plenty of sleep. A crate gives them a safe den and makes toilet training easier.
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Feeding
Feed a puppy food made for their adult size, split into three or four small meals a day. Follow the feeding guide on the bag and adjust as they grow. Not sure which food? Ask us at the shop.
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Vaccinations and worming
Follow your vet's vaccination, flea and worming schedule. Before puppy daycare or a stay with us, they need to have finished their puppy vaccinations, with at least 10 days since the last one. See the full timeline below.
See our dog vaccination requirements -
Socialising and their first stay
Gentle new people, places and sounds help build a confident dog. From 10 days after their last puppy vaccination, daycare is a great way to make friends, and a day visit before their first overnight stay can help them settle. Ask your vet when to book desexing, too.
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Protect them from day one
Puppies explore everything, and accidents can happen in the first weeks. Through us you can get free pet insurance cover to start, so vet bills are one less worry.
See the free cover offers
Settling in: our top tips
From a team that settles new dogs in every week.
- Have their space ready before they arrive: bed, water, toys and a crate in a quiet corner.
- Keep the first few days calm. If you can, be home more while they find their feet.
- Meet the family slowly, one person at a time, and let your puppy come to you.
- Only introduce dogs you know are fully vaccinated. Keep it short, calm and reward good manners.
- Got a cat? Keep early meetings short and supervised, and give the cat an escape route.
- Start toilet training from day one: out after meals, naps and play, and praise every success.
- Stick to the same bedtime routine each night. Predictable nights mean a settled puppy.
Training tips
Good habits start early. These are the things we see make the biggest difference.
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Start on day one
Puppies learn fast. Begin with their name, sit, stay and come, using small treats and lots of praise.
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Only reward the finished job
If you ask for a sit, give the treat and praise once their bottom is on the ground, not halfway down. Rewarding a half-done try teaches them that half is good enough.
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One word, every time
Pick one word for each command and get the whole family using it. "Down" can't mean lie down one day and get off the couch the next.
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Short and sweet
A few minutes at a time, a few times a day. Stop while they're still keen.
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Finish on a win
End each session with something they can already do, so training stays fun for both of you.
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Practise everywhere
Once they've got it at home, try the backyard, then out on walks, so it works wherever you are.
Keep them safe at home
Some everyday things are dangerous for puppies. Keep these out of reach.
- Chocolate, grapes and raisins
- Onions, garlic and macadamia nuts
- Xylitol, a sweetener in sugar-free gum, lollies and some peanut butters
- Cooked bones, which can splinter
- Slug, snail and rat baits
- Human medicines, including pain relief
Think they have eaten something they shouldn't? Call your vet straight away, even if they seem fine.
Puppy vaccination and worming timeline
Vets don't always spell this out, so here's the usual schedule in one place. Your vet sets the exact timing for your puppy, so take this along and ask them to confirm.
Vaccinations
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8 to 10 weeks
First puppy vaccination (5-in-1). Your puppy isn't protected yet, so keep them away from unknown dogs and public dog areas.
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10 to 12 weeks
Second vaccination, usually 2 to 4 weeks after the first. Ask your vet about Leptospirosis and Kennel Cough too, as we need both for daycare and boarding.
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Around 14 to 16 weeks
Many vets give a third puppy shot so protection is complete. Ask yours if your puppy needs one, and when it's safe to start walks and meeting other dogs.
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6 to 12 months after their last puppy vaccination
Booster vaccination to lock in their protection.
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Every year after
Yearly boosters. Some vaccines can be given as a 3-year dose, and your vet will tell you which ones.
Worming
- Every 2 weeks Until 12 weeks old
- Every month From 12 weeks until 6 months old
- Every 3 months For life, from 6 months old
Fleas and ticks
Start flea treatment early and keep it regular. Ask your vet which spot-on or tablet suits your puppy's age and weight.
Before daycare or a stay with us
- 5-in-1, Leptospirosis and Kennel Cough vaccinations
- At least 10 days since their last puppy vaccination
- A copy of their vaccination record at drop-off
Timeline based on the PetCover puppy guide and general vet advice. Always follow your own vet's recommendations.
Your new puppy checklist
Everything to have ready before your puppy comes home. Tick things off as you go. We'll remember your ticks on this device, so you can come back any time.
The essentials
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Made for their adult size. If you're changing foods, mix the new one in slowly over a week to avoid an upset tummy.Shop →
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Small, tasty rewards for good behaviour.Shop →
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Something to chew while teething, and toys to keep their busy brain happy.Shop →
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Ask us or your vet which treatment suits their age and weight.Shop →
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A warm, cosy spot that's all theirs.
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Helps with toilet training and sleep routines, and gives them a safe den.Shop →
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Let them get used to wearing them at home before their first walk.Shop →
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One for food, one for fresh water.Shop →
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With their name and your phone number.
Vet and admin
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Book their puppy vaccinations with your vet. See the timeline above.Find out more →
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Ask your vet. It links your puppy to your contact details if they ever go missing.
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Ask your vet when to book it.
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Set it up before they come home, so you are covered from day one.Find out more →
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Register your puppy with your local council. Check their rules for when it's due.
Handy extras
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For walks and the backyard.
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Keeps them safe and settled in the car.Shop →
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For quick clean-ups of little accidents.
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Keeps their coat healthy and gets them used to being handled.
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Start bath time young so it's no big deal later.
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Gentle, regular trims from a young age.
From us at the resort
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Once they're vaccinated, bring them in for a gentle wash and blow dry with our team.Find out more →
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Once fully vaccinated, daycare helps them make friends and build confidence.Find out more →
Puppy starter pack
Choose how big your puppy will grow and we'll pull together the essentials in the right sizes. Add the whole pack to your cart in one go.
Puppies are curious, fast and fearless, which is why so many vet visits happen in the first year. Start your free cover now, before you need it.
Protect your pet with pet insurance
Vet bills can add up fast. We've partnered with two pet insurers. Quote our code when you get a quote or sign up.
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4 weeks of FREE pet insurance
Just ask us and we can sign your pet up for 4 weeks of free Petcover insurance, with up to $3,000 to claim for accidents, injuries and illness. No obligation. If you don't continue, it simply ends after 4 weeks.
- New Zealand-based team of pet people
- Eligible ongoing treatments covered for life with Umbrella for Life, as long as cover doesn't lapse
- Congenital illnesses aren't excluded (waiting periods apply)
- No standard waiting periods if you convert your free policy on time
Use code DBPR4WFGet a quote → (opens in a new tab)Free policy: 3-day waiting period for accidents and 7-day for illness. 12-month waiting period for flat-faced breed breathing problems (Brachycephalic Airway). $175 excess and 15% co-payment per unrelated condition. See Petcover's brochure for full terms.
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3 weeks FREE for puppies & kittens
Puppies and kittens under 30 weeks can get 3 weeks of free PD Starter Cover through us. Taking out a full policy? Use our code for your first month free.
- Immediate cover for accidental injury
- No excess to pay on claims
- No lock-in contracts
- Visit any licensed vet
Use code DOUBTLESSGet 3 weeks free Starter Cover → (opens in a new tab)Starter Cover has a 3-day waiting period for illness. See PD Insurance's Starter Cover terms and conditions.
Doubtless Bay Pet Resort is not part of Petcover or PD Insurance. We can't give insurance advice, accept claims or make decisions about cover. Quotes, policies and claims are handled directly by each insurer. We may receive a referral fee when you sign up.
Here for your puppy as they grow
Once your puppy is vaccinated, we're just down the road for daycare, boarding and a good wash.
Ready for their first visit?
Book puppy daycare or a stay online in a couple of minutes, or pop into the shop and say hello.