From Dr. Steve Pelton, DVM
New puppy? Is this normal?
Free tools and playable guides for your puppy's first year, from a vet who's been doing first puppy visits since 2000. Tap through what's normal, what can wait, and when to call. No sign-up, nothing to buy.
If something's wrong right now
Is it an emergency? Start at the first door.
GO NOW, CALL TODAY or WATCH. If anything on the first list fits, stop reading and go.
Step 1
GO NOW
Do you see any of these?
Trouble breathing, or blue or gray gums. Collapse, or can't stand. A seizure. And more.
What to do: Head to your vet, if they're open and can see him right away, or to the nearest emergency clinic. Call on the way so they're ready for you.
Step 2
CALL TODAY
Worried, or just not sure?
Vomiting more than once in a day. Diarrhea for more than 24 hours in a puppy who's otherwise bright and eating. Mucus or a little blood in the poop of a bright puppy. And more.
What to do: Call your vet's office today, or their after-hours line if it's night, and let them help you decide. Not sure which door you're at? That alone puts you here.
Step 3
WATCH
Mild, and he's acting like himself?
One soft stool after a food change. One vomit, then back to normal. Mild sleepiness the day after shots.
What to do: Keep an eye on him, write down what you see, and call during office hours if it hasn't cleared up.
If your puppy is under 16 weeks, a toy breed, or isn't done with his shots, move everything one door closer.
Free tools
Tap it, fill it in, print it
Look up what your puppy's doing in your own words. Print a card for the fridge. Everything you type stays in your own browser.
- Is this an emergency?The Three Doors on one page: GO NOW, CALL TODAY or WATCH.
- My Puppy's RoadmapComing soonType a birthday and get a first-year timeline to take to your vet.
- The Poop-o-MeterComing soonTap the one that looks like yours. Normal, watch, or call.
- Is This Normal? FinderLook up what your puppy is doing, in your own words.
- Fridge emergency cardFill in your vet and nearest ER, print it, stick it on the fridge.
- PrintablesChecklists, routines and worksheets to print and stick on the fridge.
Guides
The big puppy questions, made playable
Why so many shots? When does the socialization window close? Each guide is short, answers the question first, and gives you something to tap, slide or play.
Why so many shots?Why does my puppy need so many shots?The Shield Relay: slide through weeks 6 to 20 and watch mom's protection fade while the vaccines take the handoff.Run the relay
The socialization clockWhen can my puppy meet people and dogs?The window starts closing before the shots are done. Drag the clock, sort safe outings and print a checklist.Drag the clock
Meet the freeloadersWorms, fleas, ticks and heartworm: what does my puppy need?Tap each cartoon freeloader to see how puppies pick it up and how it's stopped, then plan what's due.Tap the freeloaders
Spay and neuter: when, by sizeWhen should I spay or neuter my puppy?Timing depends on size, and for big females it's a conversation. Pick your puppy's size and see the guideline.Pick the size
Puppy-proof the houseHow do I puppy-proof my house?Five rooms, 27 hidden hazards. Find them before Meatball does.Play the game
Tank's BS-meterIs that puppy advice true?Tank reads the internet so you don't have to. Guess how true 10 popular puppy claims are, then watch his needle.Guess the rating
Breed corners
Some puppies come with their own quirks
Flat faces, giant paws, curly coats, herding genes and tiny bodies each have a few things worth knowing early.
Flat-faced breedsIs my flat-faced puppy's breathing normal?Listen to the breathing
Giant breedsWhat's different about raising a giant-breed puppy?Tap the bloat check
DoodlesWhat does a doodle puppy need?Do the ear check
Herding breeds and MDR1Should I test my herding puppy for MDR1?Keep the MDR1 card
Toy breedsWhat's different about a toy-breed puppy?Pip's fuel check
Meet the cast
Every dog here is a cartoon
Meatball, the Beagle puppy who keeps a list of everything he's ever tasted, is the star. Biscuit, the grown Goldendoodle, is his patient big sister. Tank, the French Bulldog next door, runs internet advice through his BS-meter. Pickles, a 5-month-old rescue, shows the way for anyone who adopted an older puppy.
They're all made up, and nothing that happens to them happened to a real patient. The advice around them is real.
Who's writing this
Hi, I'm Dr. Pelton
I graduated from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000, and I've owned Hearthstone Animal Clinic in Cypress, Texas, since 2007. I see puppies on their very first visit, and the question people ask most hasn't changed in 25 years: "Is this normal?" This site is my answer, and it's free.
Prefer paper?The New Puppy, coming holiday 2026.About the book