Your New Puppy

Are you ready for a puppy?

A puppy is a big responsibility. Make sure you are truly ready for the responsibility and ask yourself:

• Why do you want a dog?
• Have you listed all the costs involved? Purchase price, annual vaccinations, vets bills, food, insurance, dog sitters/walkers, toys etc.
• Does your job mean that you will be leaving your dog on its own for long periods of time?
• Do you have the correct environment for a dog? Is your home puppy proof, does it have a secure garden?
• How do you feel about going for walks everyday no matter what?
• Are you ready for a possible 15+ year commitment to a dog?

Life without pets means you can do anything you want any time you want, from going away at short notice, staying out late, or not getting back home at all. This changes if you have a dog to look after and be responsible for.

A puppy is for life, and it will take up parts of your life. Look at your lifestyle and where you live. Consider your house, a flat with no garden will not be good for a dog, and a small house and garden will not make a good home for a big or active dog unless you have plenty of time and open spaces nearby for exercising.

Do you have children and what are their ages? Do you plan to have children? As some dogs love family life and young children buzzing around, while for other dogs it would be all too much for them. Think about other people visiting your home as an excitable, bouncy dog will not be a good combination with anyone elderly or frail. Have you any pets already? If so take into account their age, size, breed, sex and temperament. Other pets such as rabbits and cats may rule out some dogs, unless you have adequate time and experience to socialise them properly.

What are your work commitments?:

Is your house left empty from morning to evening and do you often have to stay late unexpectedly or work weekends? You may need to hire a dog walker to break up any long periods that you are out of the house. Some dogs bond very strongly with their owners while others are more independent and adaptable. A stressed and unhappy dog can easily develop behavioural problems. How would you sum up your household? Quiet and calm, lively and busy or very variable?

You can now start matching your requirements to specific breeds. Rule out dogs who are the wrong size and type straight away, along with those who just aren’t to your personal taste. Read up on breeds that have caught your eye and find out what they were originally bred for. For example, a Border Collie was bred to work sheep so needs a lot of exercise and has a strong herding instinct, requires a very active owner and good socialization. Also check if your favoured breeds have any tendencies towards certain health problems.

Once you have drawn up a long list, speak to local owners and the breed clubs. Visit breed shows or a training class and ask every dog expert you can find. If you get the chance, visit a show such as Discover Dogs, where hundreds of breeds are exhibited and their owners/breeders are available to give advice.

Reputable breeders:

Once you have decided on the breed, you can set about finding your pup. Although there are plenty of reputable breeders there are also some unscrupulous ones. You need to know whether the pups a breeder is offering are right for you – certain blood lines may be known for certain characteristics or even hereditary problems, plus some dogs are bred for the show ring or working environment rather than as pets. Start by calling the breed club secretary who should be able to tell you of suitable local breeders. Then call the most promising ones to see if they have puppies available and if you like the sound of them, arrange a visit. Even if there are no pups currently available, don’t be put off. Often the best breeders are those with waiting lists. Don’t be surprised if you get quizzed too – good breeders will want to know if you have done your homework.

Choosing the right breed:

The search for the right puppy needs to begin long before you ever get near a litter. Only after some serious soul-searching, detailed research and frank discussions with your family should you be tempted to consider bringing a pup home – a bit boring and lacking in spontaneity perhaps but packed full of anticipation with the assurance of many years of enjoyment to come. Do not rush buy or be influenced or pulled in by any cute puppy faces, be sensible.

A successful partnership with your future pet depends on you getting on well and having compatible personalities. Make a list of your own and any other people in the households characteristics. Are you a couch potato or a sporty, outdoor type? Do you need time alone? Are you fun loving or more reserved? You should quickly get an idea of the sort of dog you could live with. For example, would a busy, active dog drive you mad or do you want one who follows your every move?

Dog or bitch?:

Ultimately this comes down to personal preference. You can eliminate much of the gender-related characteristics through neutering (females coming into season – males inclination to roam). Neutering will also stop any unwanted pregnancies and can prevent a number of life-threatening diseases. If you already have a dog it is advised that you buy a puppy of the opposite sex, this combination is the least likely to cause friction. In general, dogs tend to be larger than their female counterparts and personalities between the sexes (affection, independence etc.) can vary from breed to breed.

Responsible dog breeder?:

A good breeder should be more than happy to answer all your questions and should have a fair few to ask you about your lifestyle. Be wary of a breeder that is more interested in making a sale than ensuring you will be a suitable owner. Check that the breeder’s facilities are clean and that any puppies are happy and confident. Check all the necessary health tests have taken place and that the dam/sire are good, healthy and without any genetic physical problems, i.e. overshot jaws, queen Ann bent legs etc. If at any point you feel uneasy, pressured or are not 100% happy with any aspect of the sale or the answers you receive, then walk away.

What is the best age to buy a puppy?:

In the majority of cases, about eight weeks. If they leave the litter earlier than this, it may make it more difficult for them to adjust to their new surroundings. An early separation will also deprive a pup of valuable education time with its mother and siblings.

• Make sure the breeder provides you with the appropriate Kennel Club Pedigree papers if applicable. You should also receive all the paperwork regarding vaccinations, worming, health screenings and their hereditary medical history.
• Ask about the level of socialization that the puppies in the litter have been exposed to. Have they been kept indoors or out? Have they been handled regularly? Have they met any children or other animals yet?
• Clarify what level of future support the breeder offers. Will they take the puppy back if it really doesn’t work out? Do they have issues with you showing or even rehoming in the future? Any agreement is best to put in contract form so as to avoid any undue future stress.
• Take advice from your breeder about feeding the puppy, which brand of food they have been using, and how much have they been feeding them. Keeping this consistent will really help your puppy settle happily with you and lessen the chances of an upset tummy.

A puppy proof house:

Puppies are great at exploring and you can guarantee it won’t be long before their curiosity leads them into trouble. So strike first and puppy-proof your house and garden before he arrives.

By using a puppy den you will have somewhere you know is always completely safe for your pup but you still need to take a look at the rest of your home.

Ideally get down low and look at your rooms from a puppy’s perspective. Enclose trailing wires, put fireguards in place and move breakable items out of reach.

• Protect exposed furniture/wooden floors/fabrics that are at risk of being chewed or scratched easily. Remember, your dog will find it hard to stop if they’re running onto a slick surface, so make sure that they’re adequately protected from causing damage to both themselves and your property. Clear glass doors are also going to cause issues for an excited new canine!
• Remove or adequately cover exposed cabling, especially mains electricity leads. These will be very appealing for a teething puppy, consider covering with anti chew spray if covering the cable isn’t possible.
• Make sure that ornaments and items that are breakable or heavy are not able to be knocked over, especially where they could fall and cause injury.
• Move hazardous and toxic household products, such as bleach, to a secured storage area. A cupboard door poses little challenge to your new arrival!
• Consider purchasing a stair-gate. It will allow you to easily block access to areas that are out of bounds whilst still allowing for the puppy to feel involved in the household and easily accessible for you.
• Houseplants need to be put on high shelves so they can’t be dug up or eaten. Invest in some unpleasant tasting anti-chew spray designed for dogs if you think any precious furniture may come under attack! In the garden, check your boundaries are secure and fence off ponds.
• Finally agree on some house rules – for example, toys not to be left on the floor when the pup is about. Also teach any children basic handling skills with a soft toy and explain when they need to leave him alone.

House rules for a puppy:

Before you collect your puppy draw up a set of house rules that all occupants (and guests) must abide by. This can include things such as not feeding scraps from the table and not allowing him onto the furniture. If these rules are kept then the puppy will experience consistent behaviour and he avoids getting confused.

How to handle a puppy:

Show your children how to best stroke and handle the puppy and talk to them about the importance of these early months in the formation of his character. If children are rough and aggressive towards a puppy, the dog will continue to see children as a threat into their adulthood. With careful management, owning a dog can be a great education and loving.

How can I help my pup to settle?:

Ideally a pup should leave his mother at seven to ten weeks old, so he has had time to learn about other dogs but is still young enough for positive early experiences with humans to really count. The first few days are vital.

Remember your pup is likely to feel he has been snatched away from his home. Help make the transition easier for him by leaving an old T-shirt you have worn with the breeder on your last visit before collection. With this placed in the litter’s bed it will make your scent familiar to him as well as absorbing the scent of his family. When you bring your pup home, collect the T-shirt and put it in his travel basket and then his den. It will comfort him as he adapts to his new environment.

Try to collect your pup early so he has the whole day to get used to his surroundings before settling for the night. Take time off work if necessary so your pup is not left alone for at least a few days. Control how and when any children play with him and give him time to explore alone but supervised.

As soon as you arrive home, take the puppy into the garden and reward him as soon as he’s been to the toilet. This will set the tone of positive reinforcement and let your puppy see how they should behave.

Allow the puppy freedom to explore his new surroundings, but pay close attention to where he goes. It’s a good idea to follow them with some treats to keep their attention focused when you need it to be.

Making introductions:

Introductions to other pets need to be carefully managed to avoid unnecessary stress. Allow dogs to meet in the garden or in as neutral an area as possible and be aware that existing pets (and kids) may feel threatened by the presence of the new puppy.

Until your puppy has had its vaccinations, beware of allowing him to come into contact with unknown dogs or areas where other dogs are likely to have been.

Set up a playroom/den for the puppy to escape into. If they have a safe haven away from the bustle of the house it will help keep them calm and relaxed and provide a safe space where you can enclose him if necessary (eg a visitor with another dog/young child etc).

Name your puppy as soon as possible. Your puppy should begin to recognise their name after only a few weeks, especially if you are following a strong routine. Try to keep their name simple and avoid names that sound similar to negative commands.

Sleeping arrangements:

Some puppies settle straight to sleep but many cry during their first night in a strange place, in which case it may be kinder to allow them to sleep near you to begin with. Try to make the process of teaching your puppy to sleep alone a gradual one.

• Let him sleep in a puppy crate near your bed; if he wakes, reassure him by speaking but don’t touch him.
• He should begin to sleep through when he realises he won’t be petted or played with.
• Gradually move the crate from your bed to the room you want him to sleep in. Do this in stages: say to the bedroom door, the landing, down the stairs and so on. The patterns set in the first few weeks of a new routine can set the tone for good, or at least become very hard to break.

The first week:

Give your puppy every chance to become a happy member of the household.

• Don’t make any changes to his diet until he has settled in; then do so gradually.
• Draw up a rota so every family member has time with the puppy and some responsibility for him. This can include things like feeding and grooming, as well as taking him out to toilet.
•  If you have excitable children in the house ask them to respect the puppy’s needs by not waking him if he’s sleeping and not pulling him around.
• Take your puppy to the vet for a check up and to discuss his vaccination and worming programme. Also ask whether the surgery runs puppy parties so he can begin socialization.
•  Encourage your puppy to chew the right things by providing him with his own toys. Don’t let children leave their toys lying around as he may not be able to tell the difference at first.
•  Enrol in reward-based training classes. Ask your vet or other owners for recommendations.

How to socialise a puppy:

Socializing your puppy is an important process and one that should begin from the moment you get him home. Introductions to as many different people, environments and activities as possible early in life will help him develop confidence. It should also help you feel more confident in handling in these new situations.

Make sure that you are as comfortable and relaxed as possible in new or difficult situations so as not to resonate any negative energy to him.

Remember that they will be looking to you for support and guidance, as you are their pack leader. Every action you make will be transmitted to him. For example, if another dog approaches whilst you’re out walking and you tense up or hurry away, your dog will perceive the other dog as a threat and react accordingly.

If this pattern were to occur regularly then he would begin to expect this and pre-empt you by reacting aggressively immediately upon sensing another dog, it is in this way that bad habits are formed.