Puppy Care

When your little puppy grows up their requirements change, which means that you need to think about what kind of dog equipment they need as they become a teenager! Read our guide for our top tips and advice to make the teenage years a breeze. Now your puppy is growing up and has approached what we call dog adolescence, most of the things you bought when they were a young puppy have been outgrown, and it’s time to go shopping again! Just like when they were smaller, you may start wondering: what dog accessories do I need? Read on for our guide to knowing what kind of puppy equipment to choose for your pup as they become an adolescent. Choosing the right collar and lead as your puppy gets older By now your teenage dog will have grown out of their puppy collar, as with lots of their other puppy equipment, and will probably be ready for their first adult collar. You need to make sure you get a collar that is going to be comfortable for your dog to wear - so find a soft material or padded leather one that doesn’t have hard edges. The wider the collar the better, as it will spread any pressure over a greater area – making it gentler around your dog’s neck. You will be doing more training with your dog when you are out and about, so finding a 6-inch training lead with clips on both ends and various D-rings to adjust the length will be a great investment. They are wonderful to add to your selection of dog equipment: great for walks, classes, and also useful if you need to secure your dog to anything. Find one that is strong but also comfortable for you to hold. Stay away from any collars that can tighten around the dog’s neck, such as choke chains, and extendable leads.

Healthy and happy puppies need their fair share of exercise. This is how to use play and walking effectively without going overboard. How to not over-exercise your puppy When we first get a dog, most of us dream of long rambling walks with our new companion - and there is no doubt that exploring the countryside or local parks together is a real joy of dog ownership. In our enthusiasm to ‘get out there’ however, we can sometimes forget that our new puppy is only a baby, and like any baby, their physical abilities are limited. This means that we can cause lasting damage by over-exercising a puppy or expecting too much in the early weeks and even months. Until a dog reaches sexual maturity – which is different in each breed – their bones are still growing. The growth plates within the bones, which allow them to lengthen as the dog gets larger, stay soft for a surprisingly long time, which is why over-exercising your pup might make them vulnerable to injury. Injuries at this time may not heal properly and can cause lasting problems for the dog. In addition to the soft growth plates, the rest of the puppy’s bones are softer too and so can break easily. It’s not just the bones that are developing either – these are held together with muscles, tendons and ligaments that are working hard to support the puppy’s growing bones and joints, and they can also be vulnerable to injury caused from over-exercising your puppy or from the wrong kind of exercise or play. Puppy exercise and puppy walking guidelines Knowing all this, it’s easy to panic and become overprotective but with a few guidelines, you can make sure you get it right! First of all, remember that puppy exercise is necessary because this is how they increase their bone density – which means strong bones and a decrease in the potential for injury as an adult. How long should you walk a puppy? This exercise shouldn’t be marching round the countryside or the local roads on a lead though. In fact, when it comes to continuous puppy walking a good rule of thumb is that puppies should have no more than 5 minutes of exercise for each month of age, two times a day. So a five-month-old puppy would have no more than 25 minutes walking twice a day – and this should be decreased in larger breeds.

Puppies and children can have a loving relationship when introductions are done right. Find out how to get their relationship off to a flying start. Just like our children, our dogs are part of our families. It’s only natural that we want them to get on and become lifelong friends, but getting them to that stage can be tricky. If you’ve recently got a new puppy or had a new baby, you may be wondering about dogs and children and how to begin the relationship. At Purina, we’ve put together this useful guide that tells you how to introduce a dog to a baby or child and the first steps you should take to create the building blocks for a loving, understanding friendship. Introducing dogs and children If you’re expecting a new puppy and have a young child, you’ll need to educate them how to approach dogs with care and respect their boundaries. Put yourself in your dog’s shoes – children are small, make sudden movements and are known to make high pitched noises, all of which are things that will intimidate and frighten a dog.

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.

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 puppy agility One of the most popular canine sports, both to watch and to compete in, is puppy agility. This is a fun, competitive activity done off-lead that comprises of a range of obstacles such as jumps, tunnels, puppy walks, and other pieces of equipment to either jump over, go through or walk along.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.