Your puppy at home

Have you prepared your home?

Make sure there are no gaps or holes in fences, no gates without proper locks. Also remember steps and stairs: can the puppy get under the house, or can he escape into the front garden or onto the street?

Whether the puppy is to live in the house or in the yard, he needs an area to call his own. Two spots are ideal, one inside and one outside and a good supply of blankets and bedding will be necessary.

Have you asked the breeder what food to buy, so your puppy can eat what he’s used to? A change of diet usually causes diarrhoea, so if you change the puppy’s basic food, do it gradually.

In addition to food and bedding, he will need food and water bowls, a collar, lead and brush. A daily brush not only keeps the coat in good condition but is part of the socialising and bonding process.

A small, light collar and a light lead are essential in the early weeks to facilitate lead training. As the puppy grows, a heavier collar and/or lead and additional grooming equipment will probably be necessary.

Housetraining

All puppies have weak bladders and need to go to the toilet frequently. It is a good idea to take the puppy out every hour or so initially, but always immediately upon waking, after playing, after feeding, and before going to bed at night.

Take him to the same spot each time and praise him for a ‘job well done’! When inside have plenty of newspaper near his bed or in the room in which the puppy will be sleeping. Do not scold the puppy if he has an accident. Most puppies will not soil their bed and are usually quick to learn that outside is the correct place to go. After a few weeks most puppies will be house-trained.

Your puppy will probably take a few days to settle down at night as the puppy will miss his mother and litter-mates and is sure to cry, howl or bark when left alone. Do not shout at the puppy or smack him, and do not give into him. If you go to the puppy once during the night, he will howl again every time you leave him. A toy to cuddle up with or a ticking clock may well be appreciated and help the puppy settle.

In the first few weeks, you must give the puppy your constant attention. You can teach him some basic commands, like ‘sit’ and ‘come’ or play ball to teach him to ‘fetch’. Always be patient with the puppy, give him plenty of reassurance, praise and cuddles.