6 Things I Did Differently When Raising My Puppy Naturally

When I brought Kapo home, I knew I wasn't interested in raising him according to the conventional “vaccinate, deworm, feed puppy food, use monthly preventatives, and avoid the outside world” checklist.

Instead, I wanted to take a more natural, species-appropriate approach to puppy rearing—one that prioritized nutrition, environmental exposure, resilience, observation, and working with practitioners who were open to looking beyond a one-size-fits-all approach.

That doesn't mean I believe there is one perfect way to raise a dog.

It means I believe we should be willing to question conventional recommendations, understand the reasoning behind them, and make informed decisions based on the individual dog in front of us.

Here are six things I did differently with Kapo that some people will probably think are insane—but I would do them again and again.

1. I Worked With a Natural-Rearing Breeder

Before Kapo ever came home, I intentionally sought out a breeder who practiced natural rearing.

For me, this was about more than simply finding a breeder who fed raw food.

I wanted someone who was thinking about puppy development from a more holistic perspective—including nutrition, genetics, early environmental experiences, socialization, and minimizing unnecessary chemical exposure.

The puppy's earliest weeks are an incredibly important developmental period. So rather than waiting until a puppy comes home at eight weeks and trying to “undo” everything that happened before, I wanted to start with a breeder whose philosophy aligned with mine from the beginning.

Choosing the right breeder, who I could openly and transparently communicate with, was one of the first health decisions I made for Kapo.

And it wasn't just about what the breeder didn't do. It was about intentionally creating an environment where the puppy could develop, explore, experience new things, and begin building confidence and adaptability.

2. Kapo Went From Mother's Milk Directly to Raw Food

One of the biggest differences in Kapo's puppyhood was his diet.

He was weaned directly from his mother's milk onto raw, species-appropriate food.

He has never eaten kibble or canned dog food.

As a canine nutritionist, this was an intentional choice. Dogs are facultative carnivores, and I wanted Kapo's foundational diet to resemble the type of fresh, moisture-rich, minimally processed food I believe is biologically appropriate for dogs.

That meant real animal foods rather than highly processed extruded foods.

Raw meat.

Edible bone.

Organ meats.

Whole-food ingredients.

Appropriate supplementation where needed.

And, importantly, a diet formulated with nutritional adequacy in mind—not simply a bowl of random meat.

There's an important distinction here.

“Raw” doesn't automatically mean “balanced.”

A homemade raw diet still needs to provide appropriate amounts of essential nutrients, and puppy nutrition deserves particular attention because growing dogs have different nutritional requirements than adult dogs.

For anyone considering raw feeding a puppy, I'd strongly recommend learning about canine nutritional requirements and proper recipe formulation rather than simply copying a prey-model ratio from social media. To work with me to create a nutrient dense raw diet for your puppy, simply click here.

3. I Tested for Worms Instead of Automatically Deworming

This is probably one of the decisions that gets the biggest reaction.

I chose to test for intestinal parasites rather than automatically giving Kapo deworming medication simply because he was a puppy.

Why?

Because I wanted treatment to be based on an actual reason.

Kapo has never had worms.

That doesn't mean puppies can't get intestinal parasites. They absolutely can. Puppies can be exposed through their mothers, contaminated environments, feces, wildlife, soil, and other routes.

It means I preferred an approach based on testing, observation, risk assessment, and individualized veterinary guidance rather than automatically assuming infection.

We also use an herbal deworming approach throughout the year in accordance with his veterinarian's recommendations.

The larger principle for me is this:

Test when appropriate. Investigate. Then treat when treatment is actually indicated.

I'm not opposed to veterinary medicine or medication when a dog genuinely needs it.

I'm opposed to the idea that every dog should automatically receive the exact same interventions on the exact same schedule regardless of individual risk, history, environment, or test results.

That's a very different conversation.

4. I Worked With a Holistic Veterinarian to Support Resilience

I also wanted Kapo's veterinary care to extend beyond simply treating illness after it appeared.

I worked with a holistic veterinarian who was open to discussing nutrition, lifestyle, environmental exposure, and complementary approaches to supporting his health.

One component of Kapo's puppy care included homeopathic nosodes, along with intentional exposure to normal environmental challenges.

The goal wasn't to keep him in a sterile bubble.

It was to help him develop confidence, adaptability, and resilience while allowing his body to interact with the world around him.

This is an area where I think the conversation around puppies can become unnecessarily black and white.

Of course puppies need protection from genuinely dangerous infectious diseases and environmental hazards.

But I also don't believe that “protecting” a puppy should automatically mean attempting to eliminate every possible exposure to the natural world.

There is a difference between reasonable risk management and creating a completely sanitized existence.

And this is exactly why I believe having a holistic veterinarian you can actually have a conversation with matters.

I want a practitioner who will listen to my observations, explain their reasoning, discuss risks and benefits, and work collaboratively with me.

5. I Took My Puppy Outside—A Lot

I walked Kapo on untreated grass and nature trails regularly from a young age.

I didn't believe that the answer was to keep him completely away from the environment until he reached some magical age when the outside world suddenly became “safe.”

Again, this isn't about ignoring legitimate disease risks.

It's about understanding that the environment is part of a puppy's development.

Grass.

Dirt.

Different surfaces.

Sounds.

Smells.

Weather.

Other animals.

People.

New environments.

Novel experiences.

All of these things provide opportunities for a puppy to learn about the world.

I wanted Kapo to experience nature rather than grow up believing that the outdoors was something dangerous to be avoided.

And there was another reason I cared about this so much:

I wanted to raise a dog who was comfortable being a dog.

That meant sniffing.

Exploring.

Digging.

Walking through grass.

Getting dirty.

Experiencing different terrain.

Using his senses.

Being curious.

Natural puppy development isn't just about what's in the food bowl.

6. I Chose Natural Pest Control

This is another area where my approach differs significantly from conventional dog care.

Rather than automatically putting Kapo on monthly chemical pest-control medications, I chose to focus on natural pest prevention and environmental management.

Depending on where you live, this might include things like environmental control, regular inspection, grooming, bathing when appropriate, habitat management, and other natural approaches.

For us, living in rural Texas means I take parasite exposure seriously.

But I don't believe that “parasites exist” automatically means “every dog needs a monthly chemical preventative.”

I believe the conversation should include:

What is the actual risk?

Where does the dog live?

What does the dog do?

What parasites are prevalent in that environment?

What is the individual dog's history?

What are the benefits and potential risks of the intervention?

And then make an informed decision.

Natural doesn't mean risk-free.

Conventional doesn't automatically mean bad.

The point is to understand what you're using, why you're using it, and whether it's actually appropriate for your individual dog.

Natural Rearing Isn't About Doing “Nothing”

This is probably the biggest misconception I want to address.

When people hear “natural rearing,” they sometimes assume it means refusing veterinary care, ignoring disease, or simply letting nature take its course.

That's not what I'm talking about.

Natural rearing, as I practice it, is much more about being intentional.

It's asking questions.

It's understanding the dog's biology.

It's prioritizing fresh, species-appropriate nutrition.

It's considering environmental exposures.

It's supporting healthy development.

It's observing the individual dog.

It's reducing unnecessary chemical exposure where appropriate.

And it's finding professionals who are willing to have nuanced conversations about all of the above.

I don't want to blindly follow conventional recommendations.

But I also don't want to blindly follow unconventional ones.

Critical thinking goes both ways.

The Goal: Build a Resilient Dog, Not a Bubble

One of the biggest lessons I've taken away from raising Kapo is that health isn't just about preventing every possible exposure.

It's about creating the conditions for a dog to adapt, develop, and thrive.

Nutrition matters.

Genetics matter.

Early development matters.

Movement matters.

Environmental exposure matters.

Mental stimulation matters.

Stress matters.

Sleep matters.

Veterinary care matters.

And yes, sometimes medications and conventional interventions matter, too.

The goal isn't to prove that one philosophy is right and another is wrong.

The goal is to stop treating dogs like identical machines that all require the exact same protocol.

Your dog is an individual.

And I believe their healthcare should reflect that.

If You're Curious About Natural Rearing, Start Here

If this approach resonates with you, I'd encourage you to start researching natural rearing for dogs, species-appropriate nutrition, raw feeding, holistic veterinary care, and natural approaches to canine wellness.

Find practitioners who are willing to listen.

Ask questions.

Ask why.

Look at the evidence.

Understand the risks.

And don't be afraid to get a second opinion when something doesn't make sense to you.

For those looking for a veterinarian who is open to working collaboratively around species-appropriate nutrition and building resilience, I highly recommend Dr. Judy Jasek of Animal Healing Arts.

I'm also grateful for the natural-rearing community that has influenced my own approach. This post was inspired in part by similar content from @truenorthpuppies and @chalkpondretrievers, both of which are great resources for learning more about natural rearing.

And ultimately, that's what I hope this conversation encourages:

Not blind adherence to “natural” dog care.
Not blind adherence to conventional dog care.
But more informed, thoughtful, individualized decisions for our dogs.

Disclaimer: This article reflects my personal experiences, philosophy, and opinions as a canine nutritionist and dog owner. It is not veterinary advice and is not intended to tell you what you should or shouldn't do with your dog. Work with a qualified holistic veterinary professional to make healthcare decisions appropriate for your individual dog.