How to Take Care of Your Dog
A simple guide to a healthy, happy dog at any age.
Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to keeping your dog healthy and happy, whether you have a puppy, an adult dog or a senior.
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What stage is your dog at?
You stay on this website, and the next page walks you through it step by step.
Start with your dog's life stage
Every dog has different needs depending on age. A puppy needs small, frequent meals, plenty of sleep and gentle introductions to the world. An adult dog needs steady routines, regular exercise and preventive health care. A senior dog needs comfort, easier movement and more frequent check-ups. Knowing which stage your dog is in helps you decide what matters most right now.
Age is not the only factor. Breed, size and health history matter too. Larger dogs often reach their senior years earlier than small ones, so ask your vet which stage your dog is in rather than guessing. That one conversation shapes everything else in this guide.
Step 1: Feed a complete diet in sensible portions
Choose a food labelled complete and balanced for your dog's life stage. Puppy food supports growth, adult food maintains weight and energy, and many older dogs do better on a diet made for seniors. Use the feeding guide on the packet as a starting point, then adjust based on how your dog looks and feels.
You should be able to feel your dog's ribs under a thin layer of padding and see a waist when looking from above. If you cannot feel the ribs, cut back a little. If the ribs look sharp, talk to your vet. Puppies usually eat several small meals a day, while most adults do well on two. Always keep fresh water available.
Some human foods are dangerous for dogs, including chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, macadamia nuts and anything sweetened with xylitol. Cooked bones can splinter. If your dog eats something risky, call your vet straight away rather than waiting for symptoms.
Step 2: Exercise the body and the mind
Dogs need both physical exercise and mental stimulation. Daily walks are the foundation, but sniffing, fetch, tug, puzzle feeders and short training games tire a dog out in a different and very useful way. A bored dog often turns to barking, digging or chewing, which is usually a sign of unmet needs rather than bad behaviour.
Puppies need short, gentle bursts of activity rather than long runs while their joints are still developing. Adult dogs usually need the most exercise, and the amount depends on breed and energy level. Seniors still benefit from regular walks, just shorter and slower, ideally on softer ground.
In warm weather, walk in the cooler parts of the day and check that the footpath is not too hot for paws. Never leave a dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
Step 3: Vet visits, vaccinations and parasite control
Book a first check-up soon after you bring a dog home. Your vet will set up a vaccination plan, which for puppies means a series of shots over their first months, and will advise on boosters for adults. Follow your vet's advice for your dog and your area rather than copying a schedule from a friend.
Ask about regular flea and worm treatment, desexing and dental health at the same visit. Preventing these problems is almost always easier and kinder than treating them later.
Adult dogs generally benefit from a check-up once a year. Seniors often do better with visits more often, because conditions such as arthritis, dental disease and kidney or heart problems can develop quietly and are easier to manage when found early.
Step 4: Grooming, teeth and nails
Short-coated dogs may only need a brush once a week, while long or curly coats need brushing more often to prevent painful mats. Bath your dog only when needed, using a shampoo made for dogs. While you groom, check the ears, eyes, skin and paws for redness, lumps, odour or anything unusual.
If you can hear your dog's nails clicking on the floor, they are probably due for a trim. Brush teeth with a dog toothpaste, never human toothpaste, and build up slowly. Start these habits young and pair them with treats and praise so handling feels normal and calm.
Step 5: Train and socialise
Puppies learn fastest in their first few months, so introduce them gently to different people, surfaces, sounds and calm, vaccinated dogs. Ask your vet when it is safe to visit public dog areas. Keep sessions short, around five minutes, and teach the basics first: sit, come, settle and walking on a loose lead.
Adult dogs can learn new skills at any age. Consistency matters more than long sessions, so make sure everyone in the household uses the same words and rules. Senior dogs enjoy gentle training and scent games, which keep the mind active when the body slows down.
Reward-based training builds trust. Punishment can create fear and often makes behaviour problems worse. If you are struggling, a qualified trainer can help you and your dog together.
Step 6: Registration, identification and safety
In New Zealand, dogs must be registered with your local council, and registration is renewed regularly. Rules and fees differ between councils, including requirements around microchipping, so check with yours. Keep your contact details up to date and put a tag with your phone number on your dog's collar.
Make sure your section is securely fenced and learn the local rules about where dogs must be on a lead. A safe, comfortable bed, shade and shelter outdoors, and a quiet space to retreat to are simple things that make a big difference to how settled a dog feels.
Signs your dog needs a vet
Dogs cannot tell you when something is wrong, so watch for changes in their normal behaviour. Contact your vet if you notice any of the following:
- Not eating or drinking, or a sudden change in appetite
- Vomiting or diarrhoea that continues
- Limping, stiffness or difficulty getting up
- Excessive scratching, hair loss or skin sores
- Bad breath, drooling or trouble chewing
- Laboured breathing or constant coughing
- Unusual tiredness, confusion or changes in toilet habits
When in doubt, call your vet clinic. They would rather answer a question early than see a problem that has had time to grow.
Where to go from here
Caring for a dog does not need to be complicated. Good food, regular exercise, preventive vet care, gentle grooming, kind training and proper registration cover most of what keeps a dog healthy and happy at every age.
The next page walks through the daily basics for your dog's life stage, from feeding and exercise to vet visits, grooming, training and registration. It also points you to trusted New Zealand animal welfare sources for more detail.
