Your New Puppy

Getting a new puppy is a fantastic experience which brings lots of laughter and joy. To give your puppy a healthy start to life there are a number of health needs you need to consider: vaccination, worming, flea and tick control, microchipping, diet and nutrition. 

Bringing your puppy home

To ensure the transition from breeder to your home is as stress-free as possible, it is important to be well prepared. It is best to try and keep things as similar as possible to the environment your puppy has just come from. Taking a toy or blanket from the breeder which smells like its siblings or mum can be comforting for your puppy.

 

Have a bed, pen or crate organised so your puppy has a place of its own. You can also use a product called Adaptil, which is a lactating bitch pheromone which can help comfort your pup. Adaptil is used close to where the pup will sleep and if the diffuser is used it is plugged into a power socket and turned on 24 hours before the pup arrives.

Set in place house rules from day 1 and apply those rules in a positive and consistent manner.   Puppies are not born knowing how to be a great human companion, it is something they learn through trial and error. This is achieved through socialisation and training in a positive, supportive environment.  A frightened puppy exposed to a new situation can become sensitised and may become vulnerable to developing emotional problems later in life.

Check list for your new Puppy

A bed – somewhere warm and quiet for your puppy to sleep and be calm. Don't spend a lot of money as your puppy will probably outgrow the bed and also have a chew at it.

Puppy Food – We recommend premium pet food made specifically for puppies. If your puppy isn't on premium food when you get them, keep them on their original diet and then over 3 days gradually increase the amount of premium puppy food into their diet.  This will to reduce any stomach upsets for your puppy. We stock premium puppy food at our clinics.  

Bowls – for food and water. Place a water bowl both inside and outside. 

Treats – Dog training starts on the day you bring your puppy home so have some healthy treats on hand to reward good behaviour.

Crate – Crates are a great safe haven for puppies when they are tired or overwhelmed. 

Play toys – Your puppy will want to play and toys are great fun for them. Have a few toys that can be rotated (give 3 at a time). Puppies explore with their mouths so chew toys can help minimise damage to household items.

Collar, ID tag and lead – Puppies can start to wear a soft collar from 7-8 weeks. Remember to adjust the collar regularly as they grow fast. Be sure to get a name tag with contact details in case they wander off.

 Car harness/transport crate – to keep your puppy safe in the car.

Toilet training pads and carpet cleaner – take your puppy outside regularly to toilet and reward them enthusiastically when they go. Use puppy pads for overnight as it gives them somewhere to toilet which makes less of a mess for you to clean up.

Brush, combs – if your pup is a medium or long haired dog it is good to start brushing them from an early age. 

Chew stop spray or similar product – sprays are available to deter chewing.

Puppy Preschool

We recommend you and your puppy attend puppy preschool classes. We run these classes at each of our clinics.
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