Bringing Home a Pug Puppy: What Every New Owner Should Know 🐾

Bringing home a Pug puppy is exciting, a little chaotic, and filled with lots of puppy kisses! Those wrinkly little faces come with big personalities, and while Pugs are known for being loving, playful, and loyal companions, there are a few things every new owner should know before bringing one home.

At Ausband Pugs N’ Bulldogs, our puppies are raised as part of our family. Over the years, we've learned that preparation, patience, consistency, and lots of love can make those first few weeks much easier for both you and your new puppy.

Get Ready Before Your Puppy Comes Home

Having everything ready before pickup day can make your puppy's transition much smoother. Some of the basics we recommend having include a comfortable crate or sleeping area, food and water bowls, puppy food, a harness and leash, safe chew toys, puppy pads, grooming supplies, and plenty of cleaning supplies—you'll probably need those!

Try not to overwhelm yourself by buying every puppy product you see. Start with the essentials and learn what your individual puppy likes and needs.

Give Your Puppy Time to Adjust

Your puppy's first few days at home are a big adjustment. They've left the environment, people, and other dogs they've known and suddenly everything is new.

It's completely normal for a puppy to need some time to settle in.

Keep the first few days relatively calm and begin establishing a routine for meals, potty breaks, playtime, and bedtime. Consistency helps your puppy learn what to expect and can make the transition easier.

And remember—accidents are going to happen! Puppies are learning, so patience and positive reinforcement go a long way.

Start Training Early

Pugs may be adorable, but don't let that innocent little face fool you! They can have some pretty big personalities.

We believe in starting simple puppy manners early. Short, positive training sessions can begin with things like sit, stay, wait, potty routines, and getting comfortable with being handled.

Getting your puppy accustomed to having their paws, ears, mouth, and wrinkles touched can also make future grooming and veterinary visits much easier.

Keep training positive and fun. Puppies have short attention spans, so several short sessions are often better than one long training session.

Take Care of Those Adorable Wrinkles

Those famous Pug wrinkles are part of what makes the breed so lovable, but they also need regular attention.

Check your Pug's facial folds routinely and keep them clean and dry. Moisture and debris can collect between the folds, so wrinkle care should become part of your normal grooming routine.

Starting this when your Pug is young can help them become comfortable with it.

If you notice redness, irritation, odor, discharge, or anything that concerns you, contact your veterinarian rather than trying to diagnose the problem yourself.

Be Mindful of Heat and Exercise

Pugs are a brachycephalic, or short-nosed, breed. Because of their facial structure, they can have more difficulty handling heat and strenuous exercise than some other breeds.

Be especially careful during warm weather. Provide plenty of fresh water, avoid strenuous activity in the heat, and never leave your Pug unattended in a hot vehicle.

Exercise is still important, but it should be appropriate for your puppy's age, health, and individual needs. Your veterinarian can help you determine what's appropriate as your puppy grows.

Find a Veterinarian You Trust

One of the first things you should do after bringing home your puppy is establish a relationship with a veterinarian.

Bring any vaccination, deworming, health, and other records provided by your breeder to your puppy's first appointment. Your veterinarian can help you establish an appropriate schedule for vaccinations, parasite prevention, nutrition, and routine care.

Every puppy is different, so when it comes to your puppy's health, your veterinarian should always be your primary resource.

Most of All—Enjoy Them

The puppy stage can feel exhausting when you're in the middle of potty training, chewed-up toys, middle-of-the-night wakeups, and endless puppy energy.

But it goes by incredibly fast.

Take the pictures. Enjoy the puppy snuggles. Laugh at the silly things they do. Be patient when they're learning.

You're not just bringing home a puppy—you're beginning a relationship with a little companion who will become part of your family.

From our family at Ausband Pugs N’ Bulldogs, we hope you enjoy every wrinkly, snuggly, silly moment. 🐾❤️