Puppy Care

A new puppy has so much to see and learn. They have to take in a host of new environments and build familiarity with other people and pets. Essentially, they have a lot of new information to take in! AT HOME Firstly, your puppy will be introduced to its home environment. To help build familiarity at home, take care to introduce them to their essentials, such as their basket, toys, food and water bowls. When they begin to feel more comfortable in their home setting, you can begin to think about socialising your puppy with other people and other environments. OUTSIDE After your puppy has completed their necessary vaccinations, and they are feeling comfortable with their home environment, you can help them begin to discover the big, wide world. This should be done in a calm and safe environment so your puppy does not become frightened. When they’re ready, take them for walks in lots of different places. This will expose them to different sights and sounds, and will help them know that anything unfamiliar is not scary. You could try taking your puppy to shopping centres, parks and other places that allow dogs, to help them get used to new environments. WITH OTHERS Letting your puppy socialise with other people is key for their development. It will encourage them to become more friendly and outgoing as they get older, rather than shy or frightened. Exposing your puppy to lots of family members and visitors between the age of three and sixteen weeks will significantly lessen the chance of them being fearful around strangers as an adult. Make sure your puppy is introduced to a variety of people, young and old, including children. Keeping the situation calm when introducing your puppy to other people and pets is essential. You can do this by using clear and concise commands, such as “sit”. If you introduce your puppy to people whilst they’re wearing a collar and lead, they will be less inclined to jump up, and the interactions will be as relaxed as possible. If you have further questions on introducing your puppy to the world contact our Purina Pet Care Advise Teamhere.

Choosing a Puppy You’ve done your research and know which breed you want. So how do you find that perfect puppy? The first step is to track down a responsible breeder or animal shelter. CHOOSING A DOG BREEDER Buying a dog is not like buying a car. You may feel proud of your car -you may even say you love it – but when push comes to shove, you’re not going to worry about its health, you’re not going to hurry home from a night out because a storm’s on the way and you know it’s scared of thunder. Choosing the right owner or breeder is vital. A breed club is a good place to start your search, as they may have a list of litters available, or can put you in touch with reputable breeders in your area. You could also try going to a dog show to meet breeders and owners to get more information.

If your puppy scratches at the door, cries or barks excessively, goes to the bathroom in the house and/or chews things every time your family leaves the house, he may be suffering from separation anxiety. Why some puppies develop separation anxiety and some don’t is not fully understood. Whatever the cause, it’s important to realize these behaviors are not malicious and that they are likely panic or other coping behaviors. Punishing your puppy will not eliminate separation anxiety. Gradually adjusting your puppy to being alone is the best approach. Preventing Separation Anxiety It’s good for your puppy to be comfortable when home alone. You can help him learn this by taking a little time and following these simple steps. Start as soon as your puppy comes home, if possible. • Puppies like routine. Develop aschedulefor your puppy, and make sure your family sticks to it. • Practice Preventative Training. • Always give your puppy an opportunity to go potty prior to crating him. • Crate train your puppy. When done properly, the use of a crate is a great way to help your puppy remain calm—and out of trouble! See our guide on Crate Trainingyour puppy for more information. • Crate him for short periods while you are present. For example, when you are watching television, put your puppy in his crate and put the crate next to the sofa. Gradually increase the time crated. Reward quiet behavior with calm praise. • Start leaving your puppy alone in his crate. Start with just a few minutes at a time. Gradually increase the time spent alone. • Limit the attention he gets shortly before leaving, so it isn’t such a shock when your family does leave. • When you let your puppy out of his crate, remain calm and keep the greetings to a minimum. You don’t want to make him excited. • Most puppies don’t need to be crated throughout their lives, but don't rush freedom. Typically, puppies aren’t ready to be given unsupervised freedom in your home until they are approximately a year-and-a-half or older. • Try to make sure someone in your family is home as much as possible. Consider hiring a puppy-walker or neighbor to give your puppy a midday break while everyone is in work or school. Keeping your schedule similar on weekends can help make things easier for your puppy. A Do And A Don’t DOmake leaving and arriving uneventful. By making leaving a big production – lots of hugs and goodbyes or asking if he’ll miss you – you may increase your puppy’s anxiety level. You may want to consider giving him a treat or anappropriate toyso that he associates the crate with something positive. Leaving the television or a radio on may help too. DON’Tget overly excited when you return. Just let your puppy out of his crate promptly and take him outside as he may need to relieve himself. As he gets older and has better control of his bladder, wait until your puppy is calm and quiet, then casually go greet him and praise him for being calm and quiet. Signs of Serious Separation Anxiety Most puppies whine or cry a little when left alone. True separation anxiety is defined as destructive or disruptive behavior by a puppy, including tearing up the room, constant barking and whining, or inappropriate elimination when he is left by himself. Consult your veterinarian, a qualified puppy trainer or a behavior professional if you are unable to resolve these issues on your own.

When you get a new puppy figuring out their sleeping arrangements can be difficult. Find out what the best options for puppy beds are and if you really should let them sleep in your bed with you. With all that playing, your puppy will need lots of rest, so appropriate puppy sleeping arrangements should be made. Avoid giving into temptation and allowing your new pup to sleep on your bed, even on the first night with your new puppy. It will quickly become a habit that you later might regret when they won’t be able to sleep alone! It’s best to make them a comfy nest that they can call their own, where they can be snug at puppy bedtime. If you’re using a puppy crate then a cosy bed can be put inside, with layers of newspaper underneath to soak up any spilled water or wee accidents. The puppy crate, or bed (if you’re using a bed on its own), should be placed in a quiet corner, somewhere where you can keep an eye on your puppy when they are inside, and out of the way of kids playing and general noise, so they can have a good rest. A corner of the kitchen will allow easy mopping up of any spills. If you’re placing the puppy crate on the floor elsewhere on carpet, some newspaper or (chew-proof!) waterproof pads underneath is a good idea. If you already have other dogs in the house, then placing your puppy’s crate alongside their sleeping area will give your new pup some reassuring company. However, if your existing pets are wary or upset about their new housemate, then it’s better to keep puppy’s sleeping arrangements separate, until they’re used to each other and are happy snuggling up or playing. What to expect on the first night home with your puppy On arrival in their new home, your puppy may take a while to settle in. This is likely to have been the first time they have been away from mum and their siblings. During the day, the activities of playing and sleeping might mean your puppy has been distracted and has not noticed that his previous doggy family are no longer around. When it comes to night-time though, it's dark and long, and it’s normal that your pup may get upset when you spend your first night with your new puppy. As a general rule, puppy first nights can be tricky – but they’re easier to navigate if you have some idea of what to expect.

Dogs are social and crave company by nature – that’s why they bond so well with us. However, if they’re not taught how to deal with being alone, this can lead to separation related problems, commonly known as separation anxiety. Keep reading to discover the common symptoms of puppy separation anxiety, and find out how you can help them overcome it with our useful guide. Why do puppies get separation anxiety? It’s easy to think your dog’s being naughty or is annoyed at you for leaving them, however this couldn’t be further from the truth. Puppy separation anxiety arises when they haven’t been taught the coping strategies they need to deal with time alone, and is simply fear of being alone – and can be viewed as similar to a human panic attack. It’s incredibly difficult to deal with a dog or puppy that can’t be left alone, in fact, it’s probably one of the hardest behavioural problems to overcome. Like many behaviour related problems however, prevention is far better than a cure. In the vast majority of cases, puppy anxiety starts at the very beginning. Owners can become so besotted by their new puppy that they’re delighted when they want to follow them everywhere – and this bonding is vitally important. But, if you allow them to constantly be with you, every second of the day, this is what they’re going to grow up to expect. Then suddenly when you need to go out without them, you discover that their world crumbles without you. In other cases, a new owner may shut their puppy in the kitchen to spend their very first night alone, and this enforces the fact that when they’re left, it’s distressing and scary.

New puppies are exciting, but there’s lots you need to do to prepare! Get ready for the excitement (and hard work) of puppy ownership with our guide. Preparing for your new puppy is such an exciting time. Pretty soon you’re going to have a small ball of fur (and joy) running around the house and you’re thinking already about all the fun times ahead. But are you also prepared for the hard work and the time-consuming, sleep-depriving part of welcoming a puppy into the family? Very few puppy owners realise just how much their life is about to change. This might all sound a bit scary – but don’t panic! There are also plenty of amazing moments only a dog owner can experience. Here are some of the things no one tells you before preparing for a new puppy, plus a few things to look forward to.

Dogs usually make firm friends easily, and your pup will almost certainly love being around other canine companions. In fact, they’ll probably jump at the chance to play with any animal, including cats. Here is how to introduce your new dog to the other pets in the family. As with any new experience for your pup, it’s important to introduce them to other pets carefully, to give their friendship the best possible start. But oftentimes this is easier said than done. An older dog can get territorial when they’ve stopped being the only four-legged member of the family. And a cat will let you know in no uncertain terms when they’re not happy with the new roommate. So, how to introduce a dog to a cat or a puppy to an older dog without World War III breaking out right in your living room? We’ve broken down the process of introducing a new dog into easy steps. Here is what you can do to help make the experience a smooth transition to family life for the new arrival and keep fellow pet residents calm during those first interactions.

A new puppy can be life-changing and at first, it may not always feel like it’s in the best way. We’ve asked dog owners what were their biggest puppy problems during the first few months so you can know what to expect. Without fail, almost every new puppy owner has hit a point when they despairingly wonder, ‘what on earth have I done?’ and may even think ‘this is all a huge mistake’. Do these puppy problems sound familiar? If it’s where you are right now, don’t worry. Virtually everyone feels like that – and it’s actually a very good sign. It means that you’re taking the responsibilities of puppy-ownership seriously, and are doing everything possible to ensure your dog gets the very best start in life; but the journey can be exhausting, and is certainly life-changing. Some psychologists think that new dog owners go through a similar period to new parents when it comes to the ‘baby blues.’ Whilst there isn’t the huge hormonal shift that having a baby brings, all new owners have a vision in their minds of what having a puppy will be like, and picture the joys of their new arrival with anticipation. Often when their puppy arrives, the reality isn’t anything like the dream; and suddenly they are 100% responsible for this unexpectedly demanding new family member, who needs them 24 hours a day, without a break. That’s when the puppy blues so often kick in. You’re not alone with this feeling, here at Purina, we understand these puppy problems and the stresses that come with it. We’ve asked members of our team what the biggest challenges were during puppyhood, from toilet training to separation anxiety. Keep reading to discover how they felt about raising a pup. Struggling to cope "After about a week, I just felt like a complete failure. I was so tired I couldn’t think straight and everything seemed to be going wrong. Monty was still peeing and pooing in the house, he’d chew anything that he could find, and any time I turned my back, he’d be doing something he shouldn’t. This was causing conflict in the family and I couldn’t even leave him to go to the shops to get away from it all. I hadn’t realised that having a puppy was so difficult and twenty times a day I nearly picked up the phone to his breeder to ask her to take him back because I couldn’t cope. I’m so glad I didn’t though as he’s now my best friend and I couldn’t ever imagine life without him." - Lindsey, owner of Monty, now a 14-month-old Golden Retriever.

Dogs bring a lot of joy into our lives, but when they fall ill it’s all too easy to worry about the cost of treatment. That’s where dog and puppy insurance comes in! We’re here to help you find the right policy for you and your pet. Veterinary care is improving all the time, but unfortunately, these treatments can be expensive. When your dogs under the weather, the last thing you want to worry about is having enough money to make them well again, which is why dog or puppy insurance is a great idea. Taking out a dog insurance policy can bring you real peace of mind by taking the worry out of many stressful situations. Even so, you’ll need to be careful when choosing the company and policy for your pup, as there can be a wide difference between them – it’s not fun, but this time you really need to read the small print! Have a chat with your vet about pet insurance for dogs and the different types of insurance cover you could benefit from. In the meantime, we’ve put together some things to consider when you’re looking for your new policy to help you on the way. What to look for in a dog or puppy insurance company When you’re thinking about how to choose dog insurance, it’s a good idea to look at the company, as well as the cover they offer. A good company means less stress for you should your dog need veterinary treatment. The first thing you should look out for is a good track record in terms of claims history, the types of claim made, and the frequency of claims. You can ask your veterinary practice for advice, or look for this kind of information on the company’s website. The dog or puppy insurance company should also be easy to contact and offer a straightforward service. Make sure you look at how you can contact them – whether this is by phone, email or live chat. The company you choose should always be open to queries, friendly and helpful, you may need to contact them at a difficult time, so it’s important for you to find them approachable.

Getting a new puppy is incredibly exciting for all the family, but it can be quite scary for your new pup. Find out how to deal with your puppy’s first day home with Purina. Your puppy’s first day home is an exciting one for all the family! You are starting out your new life together with the canine best friend you have always dreamt of. Everything is ready to welcome the new puppy and help them settle in straight away. But there is something many new owners don’t realise. While everyone in the house may be bursting with excitement and desperate to have a play with the newest member of the family, your puppy’s first day home may look completely different to them. After all, they’re on their own in a strange place with people they don’t know. It can be overwhelming for your pup, and may be stressful or frightening for them. Here’s how to help your puppy make an easy transition to family life. Take things slowly on your puppy’s first day home No matter how excited everyone is about the puppy’s arrival, keep their homecoming low-key. It’s so easy to shower the new dog with affection, particularly for the younger members of the family. While the new pup is getting used to their surroundings, always supervise excited children and give your dog some much-needed time out from all the excitement. Start off by having them in one room and let them explore in their own time discovering the scents, sights and sounds of this new world. Allow your puppy to settle in gradually and in their own time. This is far better than overwhelming them with enthusiastic games, cuddles and play while they are still trying to find their paws.

Puppy sports are a great way to strengthen your bond, whilst also building fitness for both you and your dog! So now puppy classes are over and you and your dog have mastered the basic training exercises, it’s time to decide what to do next. Dogs who have been trained using reward-based methods love to continue to learn and do new things. It’s easy to think that your only options are to continue the training classes and focus solely on improving your dog’s obedience. But there are a whole range of puppy activities and sports you could try. So take your time and find something both you and your puppy can really enjoy. Have a go at agility One of the most popular canine sports, both to watch and to compete in, is agility. This is a fun, competitive activity done off-lead that comprises of a range of obstacles such as jumps, tunnels, walks, and other pieces of equipment to either jump over, go through or walk along.

New puppies are full of mischievous energy, and their endless curiosity means they get their little noses into everything. That’s how they learn but it’s also how they get into trouble! An expandable dog pen can be a great help. You get peace of mind knowing exactly where your furry friend is, and what they’re playing with, and they have lots of room to play safely. A dog playpen will also help your puppy feel more secure in their new surroundings and give them an area they can proudly call their own! Follow our helpful tips for everything that you’ll need to give your playful puppy their perfect dog pen. The basics of playpens You should be able to find a puppy playpen at most good pet shops or you can buy them online. Look for an expandable pen with high enough sides to stop your adventurous pup escaping! Most come in small, medium or large, so choose the right one for your puppy’s breed or type.