Getting prepared

Collection

First few weeks

Feeding

Health

Growth stages

Socialization

Training and play

Grooming

Behavior

Preparing for your puppy’s arrival

Welcoming a new puppy is an exciting, challenging and hugely rewarding time. If you’re well prepared, you can help your puppy settle faster and it’ll be more enjoyable for you too.
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Getting ready for your puppy

There’s lots of things to do before you collect your puppy to make sure you’re ready for their arrival. As well as buying important equipment for them, it’s vital to make appropriate preparations at home too. Key things to consider are:

How to puppy-proof your home

Puppies are curious and love to explore, so it’s important you make sure your home’s safe and secure for before you collect your new arrival. Here’s our checklist to help you prepare your home for your puppy.
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2.Dangerous substances

Store chemicals, cleaning products, medicines and other toxic substances out of reach, or use child locks on your cupboards if needed. E-cigarette refills and screen wash are known to be particularly harmful for dogs.

1.Toxic houseplants

Many common houseplants are very dangerous for dogs and puppies, including, lilies, aloe vera, ivy, dieffenbachia, caladium, pothos, zamioculcas, cyclamen. It’s best to either keep all houseplants out of the way of your puppy, or double check to make sure yours don’t pose a threat for them.

3.Hazards

Puppies can easily fall or get stuck while they’re exploring. To keep them safe, use stair gates, keep windows and external doors closed and secure any balconies. Also make sure there are no spaces they can squeeze into and then get stuck.

5.Small objects

Puppies like to explore things with their mouths, so put away any small items they could chew or swallow. This includes children’s toys, drawing pins, plastic bags and elastic bands. Also hide away anything else you wouldn’t want your puppy to chew, such as your shoes.

4.Electrical cables and sockets

Electrical cables are very tempting for puppies to chew on and they can also get tangled in them. Hide yours away by using cable ties or covers, and also shield plug sockets with covers.

How to puppy-proof your garden

Your puppy will enjoy spending time outdoors, so you’ll need to make sure your garden’s safe for them to explore too. Here are some important things to consider.
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1.Fencing and gates

Before your puppy arrives, make sure there are no gaps in your garden fencing or gates. And check there are no areas where your puppy could dig under or climb over to escape.

4.Dangerous substances

Store all garden chemicals such as fertilisers, insecticides, paints and solvents away from your puppy’s reach in a locked area.

2.Toxic garden plants

As with houseplants, there’s a long list of outdoor plants that are poisonous to dogs. They include ficus, holly, mistletoe, philodendron, narcissus, hyacinth, iris, azalea, rhododendron, oleander, poinsettia and sweet pea. If you have poisonous plants in your garden, you’ll need to watch your puppy to make sure they stay away from them.

3.Tools and small objects

As with indoor puppy-proofing, remove small objects from your garden that puppies could swallow or choke on. And lock away your garden tools, especially those that are sharp.

Things you'll need for your puppy

Before your puppy arrives, make sure you have everything you need to care for them and help them settle into their new home. Here are the essentials.

Choose the right puppy food

Puppies have very delicate digestive systems and sudden changes in their diet can cause digestive upsets or even make them wary of their food. For this reason, it’s best to feed your puppy the same food as their previous owner for the first few days while they settle. Then you can slowly introduce your choice of puppy food that should support your puppy's growth.

Having the right diet is crucial for a puppy’s health, growth and development. At each stage, they need specific nutrients in precise quantities according to their breed size. So we recommend selecting a high quality puppy food based on your puppy’s age and expected adult size.

How to switch to new puppy food

When you’re ready to move to a new puppy food, make the transition slowly over a week-long period.
Read more

The importance of puppy nutrition

Learn how crucial your puppy’s diet is in helping them grow into healthy adults.
Feeding your puppy

Preparing your family and pets for your puppy

There’s lots to consider when bringing a puppy into your household to ensure everyone stays safe and your puppy settles smoothly.

Learn the best way to introduce your puppy to children, older family members, visitors and existing pets.

Preparing your family

How to find a vet

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Finding a vet

Finding a great vet you can trust, who’ll help your puppy grow into a healthy adult, is an important aspect of being a pet owner. It’s best to find one before you collect your puppy because they may need a check-up a day or two after they arrive.

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What should you consider

One of the best ways to find a good vet is to ask friends and family for recommendations. You should also consider a vet’s:

  • Location – can you get there easily?
  • Premises – is it well equipped, well maintained and clean?
  • Services – are out-of-hours and preventative services available?
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Meet your vet first

It’s worth meeting the vet too before you decide so you can make sure they’re a good fit for you.

Once you’ve chosen a vet, make sure you and your family have easy access to the emergency number in case you ever need it.

Brown Labrador Retriever puppy sitting on a table being examined by a vet

Find a vet

It's important to have identified a local vet before collecting your puppy. Find a vet near you.
Find a vet
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Collecting and welcoming your puppy

The first days together with your pet are a chance to create a healthy foundation for their future.
Collecting your puppy

Further reading

Puppy dog lying down in grass chewing a toy.

Essential items for your new puppy

Puppy Labrador Retriever lying down on a wooden floor and chewing a ball.

Preparing your home for your new puppy