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Your New Puppy

Advice for keeping your new puppy healthy

Before your new puppy arrives, there are a few things you need to get ready to make sure they're comfortable and happy in their new home.

Food and water bowls
Choose heavy-bottomed ceramic or stainless steel food and water bowls. Plastic bowls will probably end up as chew toys, and the tooth marks could become a haven for bacteria. A heavy bowl will also be harder for your dog (and you) to knock over by accident.

If your dog has long ears that could dangle in their food and water, look for special narrow bowls to keep them clean and dry.

Identification tag
By law, all dogs must wear a tag on their collar showing their owner's name and address. It's a good idea to add your phone number too. You can order a tag over the internet or at your local pet shop.

Because collars can slip off or break, we recommend microchipping: it's quick, painless, permanent and effective. Ask your vet to insert the chip and you'll have a much better chance of being reunited if your puppy goes missing. Check with the breeder or rescue home to find out if the puppy has already been microchipped, and ask them how to register the chip to your address. Unless you're planning to breed from your dog, then you don't need a dog licence.

Something to chew on
Dogs love chewing and a teething puppy will chew anything they can get their jaws around. So if you want to protect your socks, your shoes and your sofa, buy a selection of chews for your puppy to test their teeth on instead. Just make sure they're non-toxic, durable and not too tough for puppy teeth. And never leave your puppy alone with anything that could choke them, splinter in their mouth or electrocute them.

Toys to play with
There's an amazing selection of dog toys out there - take a look in your local pet shop or go online: you'll find rings, balls, slings, tugs and Frisbees. They're all designed to make your play and training sessions more fun - for you and your dog.

Grooming kit
For your puppy, grooming isn't just about untangling their coat and making them look smart, it's a bonding experience that reminds them of being back with their mother. Visit your pet shop to pick up a comb or a brush and plan daily grooming sessions. Different coats will need different brushes - ask the pet shop staff, your puppy's breeder or other owners with dogs like yours for advice. You'll also need to clip your dog's nails and give them a bath from time to time - so it's worth picking up a pair of nail clippers and some dog-friendly shampoo too.

Stair gates
Stairs, balconies and ponds should all be out of bounds for an inquisitive puppy - and a strategically placed baby stair gate will do the job when you're not there to supervise. A gate can also help you protect your furniture and possessions from your puppy's unstoppable chewing instinct.

Using a crate
You may have been given a travelling crate to bring your puppy home in. As long as the crate's big enough for your puppy to turn around in comfortably, it's great for indoor use as well. Dogs hate to go to the toilet in their own bed, so a crate is a great toilet-training aid in those first few weeks when your puppy is adjusting to their new routine. You can also use it to take them in the car to explore new sights and sounds. At night, put your puppy to bed in their crate and, as long as you let them out at suitable intervals, they won't mess on the floor.

Your dog's first food
Arriving at their new home is going to be a big change for your dog. So one of the kindest things you can do is to give them a bowl of the same food that they're used to. It'll make your dog feel welcome and secure. After that, you can decide what food you'd like to give them. By mixing the new food in with the old, little by little over a week or so, you can switch your dog's diet to whatever you decide is best. At Pedigree, 40 years of nutritional research have gone into ensuring our food contains exactly the right mix of protein, carbohydrates, fats and fibre for each stage of your dog's life.

A collar and lead
You won't be able to take your new puppy out for walks until they've had all the right jabs. You can spend this time getting them used to wearing their collar and a lead. That way, it won't be an issue when it's time to explore the outside world. Collars and leads come in a variety of materials. Nylon or soft leather adjustable collars are recommended, as they'll grow with your puppy. Adjust the buckle so that you can comfortably put a couple of fingers between the collar and your puppy's neck. Check the fit regularly; you'll be amazed at how fast they grow.

If you have a very small dog, like a small terrier or a toy breed you might prefer to use a harness - it makes it easy to protect delicate necks. (Remember to make sure your puppy still wears an ID tag.)

Your puppy's first visit to the vet
Ask neighbouring dog owners to recommend a vet, or use our vet finder tool to locate a local surgery. As soon as your dog's used to you and their new home, take them for a visit. Besides a general check-up, you'll need to talk about worming, vaccinations and microchipping. Take some snacks along and make a big fuss of your dog. With the right vet and a positive attitude, a trip to the vet's could be fun for your dog, rather than scary.

Pet insurance
You should also have a chat with your vet about treatment costs and pet insurance. Think about what level of cover you need, compare quotes and ask insurers about their claims process before you sign up to a plan.

For any further information or advice, please do not hesitate to contact your local practice to speak to one of our friendly staff. Alternatively, you can now book an appointment online.

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