Raising a singleton puppy can present additional challenges. It is important to monitor his weight carefully, as the puppy will have a tendency to overeat and become overweight. You may need to bind up some of the dam’s mammary glands or only allow nursing for short periods.
A single puppy will miss the litter interactions that are so important to the development of every animal. A stuffed ‘fake puppy’ with realistic heart sounds can be purchased as a sleeping buddy for the first couple of weeks, to help mimic a littermate.
If a litter of about the same age can be found and the dam is agreeable, taking one or two puppies from that litter to foster will be good for the behavioral development of the singleton. Barring that, it will be important to arrange for puppy play dates with other litters once they are a bit older.