Everything you need to raise a healthy, happy, well-mannered dog. Written by Dogsvilla's expert team — Central India's most trusted pet care facility for over 8 years.
| Item | Why It Matters | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel food & water bowls | Hygienic, durable, bacteria-resistant — avoid plastic entirely | Essential |
| Breed-appropriate crate | Safe den space — dramatically accelerates toilet training | Essential |
| Soft bed + a cloth from the breeder | Familiar scent of the mother reduces night-time anxiety significantly | Essential |
| Collar, ID tag & leash | Safety and identification from day one | Essential |
| Puppy-specific kibble | Formulated for growth — adult food lacks the right nutrient ratios | Essential |
| Rubber & rope toys | Teething relief and mental stimulation — prevents furniture destruction | Standard |
| Enzyme-based cleaner spray | Fully neutralises accident odour — ordinary cleaners leave traces that invite repetition | Standard |
| Puppy pads | Indoor toilet training bridge for early weeks | Standard |
| Soft-bristle grooming brush | Start coat handling from week one — builds tolerance for lifetime grooming | Standard |
| Vet-recommended flea/tick drops | Preventive parasite control — especially critical in Indore's climate | Standard |
| Puppy-formulated shampoo | Human shampoo (pH 5.5) disrupts dog skin (pH 7.0) — never substitute | Standard |
Request a cloth or small toy that carries the scent of the puppy's mother when you collect. Placing it in the crate for the first week is the single most effective intervention for reducing separation anxiety and night-time crying — it costs nothing and works remarkably well.
| Brand | Why We Recommend It | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Canin | Breed-specific ranges with precise nutrient ratios — widely available at pet stores and Dogsvilla | All breeds |
| Purina Pro Plan | High protein, backed by veterinary research, excellent palatability | Active breeds |
| Farmina N&D Grain-Free | Premium grain-free formulation, biologically appropriate ingredient ratios | Sensitive stomachs |
| Drools Focus Puppy | India-formulated Super Premium range with good value-to-quality ratio | Budget-conscious |
| Pedigree Puppy | Reliable starter option, widely available across India, AAFCO-compliant | First-time owners |
Transition over 7–10 days: 25% new / 75% old → 50/50 → 75% new / 25% old → 100% new. A sudden food change causes diarrhoea even between two premium brands. This rule applies every single time you change food.
Do not take your puppy to public parks, dog parks, or homes of other dogs until 2 weeks after the final puppy vaccine at 14–16 weeks. Until then, carry your puppy to new environments rather than letting them walk on unverified ground. The immune system is not fully protective before this point — and Parvovirus in particular can survive in soil for up to a year.
Tick fever (Babesiosis) cases in Indore surge significantly during monsoon. Signs: high fever, pale gums, sudden weakness, reduced appetite. This requires a vet within 12 hours — do not wait overnight.
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A puppy not adequately socialised before 16 weeks carries a significantly higher lifetime risk of anxiety, reactivity, noise phobias, and fear-based aggression. This developmental window cannot be reopened. Socialisation is not optional enrichment — it is as medically critical as vaccination. Treat it accordingly.
| Category | Specific Exposures | How to Do It |
|---|---|---|
| People | Children, elderly people, men with beards, people in uniforms, visitors of all types | Pair every introduction with treats and calm praise |
| Sounds | Traffic, thunder, pressure cooker, mixer-grinder, music, firecrackers (recordings first) | Start at low volume, increase gradually, always treat and praise |
| Environments | Lifts, stairs, tiles, grass, mud, car rides, busy markets (carry if unvaccinated) | Carry your pup until fully vaccinated — no unverified ground |
| Animals | Cats, vaccinated dogs, birds from a safe distance | Brief, controlled, positive — never force interaction |
| Body Handling | Paws, ears, mouth, tail, gums — touched daily | This directly prevents fear at vet and groomer appointments for life |
| Objects | Umbrellas opening, balloons, bags, bicycles, motorcycles, fans | Approach at the puppy's pace — never push toward something frightening |
If a puppy shows fear — cowering, tail tucked, backing away, refusing treats — do not force interaction. Increase distance until the puppy can observe from a comfortable threshold, reward calm interest, and gradually decrease distance over multiple sessions. Forced exposure to feared stimuli does not desensitise; it sensitises.
| Age | Exercise Guideline | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 weeks | Free indoor play only. Short garden exploration sessions. | Forced walks, stairs repetitively, jumping |
| 3–4 months | 5 minutes per month of age, twice daily. (3 months = 15 min × 2) | Running on hard surfaces, high-impact play |
| 4–6 months | Short structured walks plus play sessions | Repetitive jumping, extended stair climbing |
| 6–12 months | 20–30 minute walks twice daily, plus training sessions | High-impact activities until growth plates close |
| 12+ months | Breed-appropriate. Active breeds require 45–90 minutes daily. | Over-restriction — adult dogs need real exercise |
Walk only before 7:30 AM or after 7:00 PM. Test pavement temperature by pressing the back of your hand for 5 seconds — if it is uncomfortable for you, it will burn your puppy's paw pads. Always carry water. Heatstroke signs: excessive panting, bright red or pale gums, drooling, vomiting, collapse. This is a life-threatening emergency — wet the dog with cool (not cold) water immediately and drive directly to a vet. Do not wait. Dogsvilla's swimming pool provides safe, supervised exercise throughout summer.
The puppy's age in months, plus one hour. A 3-month-old puppy should not be crated for more than 4 hours. Under 8 weeks: maximum 1 hour at a time. Always ensure a toilet break immediately before crating. Never use the crate as punishment — it will destroy the positive association you have built.
| Condition | Signs | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Parvovirus | Bloody diarrhoea, severe vomiting, extreme lethargy, complete appetite loss | EMERGENCY — vet immediately. Can be fatal within 24–48 hours without treatment. |
| Distemper | Runny nose, persistent cough, seizures, eye and nose discharge | EMERGENCY — vet immediately. Highly contagious, often fatal. |
| Tick Fever (Babesiosis) | High fever, pale gums, sudden weakness, dramatically reduced appetite | Vet within 12 hours. Particularly common in Indore during monsoon season. |
| Gastroenteritis | Vomiting, loose stools, lethargy | Vet within 24 hours. Withhold food for 4–6 hours; keep water freely available. |
| Ear Infection | Head shaking, scratching at ears, foul odour, dark waxy discharge | Vet within 2–3 days. Do not put oil or water in the ear canal. |
| Kennel Cough | Dry honking cough, runny nose, mild fever | Vet within 24–48 hours. Isolate from other dogs immediately. |
| Skin Allergies | Persistent itching, redness, hair loss, hot spots | Vet within one week. Can be food-triggered or environmental. |
| Worm Infestation | Pot belly, poor coat condition, scooting, visible worms in stool | Deworm per schedule. Vet visit if symptoms are severe. |
Seizures or collapse · Difficulty breathing or blue/pale gums · Blood in vomit or stool · Suspected poisoning from chocolate, grapes, onion, or xylitol · No urination for more than 12 hours · Extreme lethargy where the puppy cannot stand or walk · Swollen hard abdomen (potential bloat — life-threatening in large breeds).
| Hazard | The Risk | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical wires & charger cables | Electrocution, potentially fatal | Cable management boxes. Socket covers. Block access to the area entirely where possible. |
| Cleaning products & medicines | Poisoning — most household cleaners are acutely toxic to dogs | Locked cabinets at height. Puppies can open lower-level doors and drawers. |
| Toxic houseplants | Organ failure depending on species | Remove or place completely out of reach: Dieffenbachia, Aloe Vera, Peace Lily, Pothos, Philodendron. |
| Small objects — coins, buttons, rubber bands | Intestinal blockage requiring emergency surgery | Keep all floors completely clear. Establish a zero-tolerance habit for items left on the floor. |
| Stairs and balconies | Falls causing fractures or spinal injury | Baby gates at all stairwells and balcony access points until 4 months of age. |
| Kitchen bins and food waste | Cooked bones splinter and perforate intestines; onion peels cause anaemia | Lidded bins only. Never leave food waste accessible, including compost. |
| Open water containers | Drowning — puppies can drown in shallow water | Cover all buckets, tubs, and water tanks. This is non-negotiable during the first months. |
| Slippery tile floors | Hip dysplasia risk — repeated sliding damages developing joint structures | Non-slip mats in all high-traffic areas, especially kitchen and living room. |
| Gaps behind furniture and appliances | Getting stuck; chewing concealed wiring | Block gaps with cardboard or appropriate mesh. Fridges and washing machines conceal power cables. |
Persistent bad breath beyond normal puppy breath · Yellow or brown tartar on teeth · Bleeding or swollen gums · Dropping food while eating · Pawing at the mouth · Reluctance to chew. Annual professional dental examination is recommended — cleaning under anaesthesia may be required by age 2–3 without consistent home care.
70 climate-controlled kennels with mist-cooling, 24/7 expert supervision, daily exercise, regular photo updates, and optional grooming add-ons. The most trusted boarding facility in Central India. View boarding packages and book →
Central India's No. 1 Pet Care Facility · Indore, Madhya Pradesh · Open 365 Days
