Puppy parenthood is a funny thing.
One day, you’re on top of the world. Loose-leash walking as you and your new companion return the doting smiles of passersby, basking in the honeymoon and sopping up the kisses, cuddles and yips.
The next? Chaos. Pee everywhere. Poop everywhere else. More bark than a tree and more bite than a five-course meal.
It’s all part of the puppy parent’s experience, and while it’s easy for us to say “enjoy every minute of it” from where we’re standing, we know it’s easy (and only natural) for the frustrations to mount. Especially on those days when nothing seems to go your puppy’s way.
Here’s the good news
If you’re here reading this, seeking out information for first time puppy owners, you’re probably a good first time puppy owner. There’s an endless trove of puppy care out there — some of it worth heeding, some of it worth chucking. But in our book, anyone seeking out what’s best for their puppy is, in all likelihood, a great pet parent.
But if that reassurance feels like too much of a platitude for your tastes, here’s 7 concrete signs that you’re doing a darn good job.
1. Your puppy acts like a puppy.
If your puppy is doing puppy things — running around like mad, gnawing on table legs, beating up pillows and snoozing in your lap — then you’re likely doing something right. Sedated puppies or frightened puppies are often a product of their environment, and provided you’ve created a safe, stable and loving home, your puppy should feel the freedom to be their truest selves.
2. Their breath smells… sweet?
Believe it or not, most healthy puppies give off a surprisingly sweet smell when they open their mouths to yip. The phenomenon known as “puppy breath” is likely due to their clean teeth and still-developing oral microbiome.
3. You’re exhausted.
A healthy puppy is often an active puppy, and chasing them around for weeks on end can feel as demanding as just about anything in your life. If your puppy is engaged and interested in simply being alive, you’re probably on the right track.
4. Everything stinks.
While puppy breath is very much a real thing, puppy stink is, too. Puppies have a way of getting into just about everything, whether you’re indoors or out. And once you let them up onto the couch or into the farthest reaches of your house, you may notice some of it rubbing off. Allowing your puppy to explore in a supervised capacity is a good thing, and scented candles are a miraculous invention.
5. Everyone says “awwwww.”
Puppies bring out our softest sides — well-loved puppies even more so. Silky coats, bright eyes and perky ears just so happen to be telltale signs of both cuteness and TLC.
6. The vet says so.
Listen closely to what your vet says at your regular check-ups, and feel welcome to take their assessments as a compliment to your abilities. There’s no better feeling than walking out of an appointment knowing your four-legged family is at their best.
7. Your screen time is down (with one exception).
Pre-puppy? The scroll was endless. Meme after meme, tweet after tweet. Post-puppy? Suddenly, the internet doesn’t seem so wild and wonderful anymore. Once your attention shifts to full-time puppy parenthood, all the entertainment you need is scurrying around on your carpet.
The exception? This listicle, of course.
