Puppy
Guide
Guide
Collecting Your Puppy
When you bring your puppy home, they may already have received their first vaccination and some parasite treatment from the breeder and they should be microchipped.
Toilet training may or may not have begun, so be prepared for a little learning along the way.
Your puppy has spent their early weeks surrounded by littermates, so it’s completely normal for them to feel a bit anxious or unsettled at first.
Toilet training may or may not have begun, so be prepared for a little learning along the way.
Your puppy has spent their early weeks surrounded by littermates, so it’s completely normal for them to feel a bit anxious or unsettled at first.
To help ease this transition: consider bringing home a blanket or toy from the breeder that carries the familiar scent of their previous environment. You might also find a calming pheromone spray, such as Pet Remedy or Adaptil, helpful in reducing stress during first few days.
Until your puppy has completed their vaccination course, they won’t be ready for walks or outdoor socialisation.
During this time, it’s important to carry your puppy when outside and avoid placing them on the ground in public areas.
Once fully vaccinated and lead-trained, they’ll be ready to safely explore the world at your side.
Arriving Home
Your home is full of exciting new sights, sounds, and smells—and for a curious puppy, everything is an adventure!
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and they haven’t yet learned what’s safe or off-limits.
That’s why puppy-proofing your home is so important.
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and they haven’t yet learned what’s safe or off-limits.
That’s why puppy-proofing your home is so important.
Common household hazards like plugs, wires, sharp objects, and small items can pose serious risks if chewed or swallowed. Try to keep these well out of reach and consider using baby gates to limit your puppy's access to safe, supervised areas of the home.
Setting up a quiet, secure space, such as a baby-gated room or pen, gives your puppy a comfortable area to explore and rest. Include a bed that mimics a den in a cosy and quiet corner.
This area should always have fresh water available, and you may wish to place puppy pads in the corner during the early stages of toilet training as puppies typically prefer toileting in the corner.
Providing a calm, safe environment will help your puppy settle in more quickly as they adjust to their new surroundings.
Diet
By the time you bring your puppy home, they should be fully weaned and eating solid food.
To help avoid tummy upsets or diarrhoea, it’s best to continue feeding the same diet they were given by the breeder, at least for the first few days.
Unlike cats, dogs are omnivores, so their diet includes a mix of animal and plant-based ingredients.
To help avoid tummy upsets or diarrhoea, it’s best to continue feeding the same diet they were given by the breeder, at least for the first few days.
Unlike cats, dogs are omnivores, so their diet includes a mix of animal and plant-based ingredients.
If you’d like to transition your puppy to a different food, make the switch gradually over 5 days to avoid digestive upset. Start with 20% new food mixed with 80% of the current food on day one and slowly increase the new food ratio each day.
Puppies have small stomachs and high energy needs, so they require small, frequent meals throughout the day using a puppy-specific diet. Look for products labelled as a “complete and balanced diet”, which means they provide all the nutrients your puppy needs to grow and thrive.
Feeding Schedule:
- < 3 months: 3–4 meals per day
- 3–6 months: 3 meals per day
- > 6 months: 2 meals per day
Always make sure your puppy has fresh water available at all times.
Play and Training
Puppies are naturally curious and playful, often engaging in activities like sniffing, chasing, and wrestling.
These behaviours are part of healthy development, helping them practice adult skills in a gentle, exploratory way.
Early learning and socialisation are essential during the first four months of a puppy’s life, a critical period when they are most open to new experiences.
Gradual, positive exposure to people, animals, sounds, surfaces, and environments during this time helps them grow into confident, well-adjusted adults.
These behaviours are part of healthy development, helping them practice adult skills in a gentle, exploratory way.
Early learning and socialisation are essential during the first four months of a puppy’s life, a critical period when they are most open to new experiences.
Gradual, positive exposure to people, animals, sounds, surfaces, and environments during this time helps them grow into confident, well-adjusted adults.
Socialisation should start at home and can begin even before vaccinations by carrying your puppy outside to observe the world. Once vaccinated, puppies can interact with dogs, people, and other animals in safe, rewarding ways.
Positive reinforcement training is a science-backed, humane method that encourages good behaviour using treats, toys, or praise.
Rewarding your dog immediately after they behave well helps them associate the action with the reward, making it more likely to be repeated.
Rewarding your dog immediately after they behave well helps them associate the action with the reward, making it more likely to be repeated.
High-value rewards are ideal for complex tasks or distracting environments, while praise and attention can reinforce learned behaviours over time. Care should be taken not to unintentionally reinforce unwanted behaviour—such as giving attention when a dog jumps up. Instead, redirect the behaviour and reward the desired response.
This reward-based approach builds a strong bond between dog and owner, boosts the dog’s confidence, and helps prevent behaviour problems. Training also includes preparing dogs for everyday life—being handled by vets or groomers, staying calm around loud sounds, and feeling secure when left alone. This helps reduce the risk of separation anxiety.
Overall, early socialisation and positive reinforcement work together to ensure your puppy develops into a happy, confident, and well-behaved companion.
Toilet Training
Toilet training your puppy takes patience, consistency, and time. Puppies (and some adult dogs) may take months to learn, with occasional accidents being normal, especially in new environments.
Help your dog succeed by taking them outside regularly, such as after sleeping, eating, or playing.
Watch for signs like sniffing or circling and gently take them outside and wait to see if they toilet.
Help your dog succeed by taking them outside regularly, such as after sleeping, eating, or playing.
Watch for signs like sniffing or circling and gently take them outside and wait to see if they toilet.
Always reward your dog immediately after they toilet in the right place using treats and praise, this encourages good habits. You can even teach them a cue like “toilet” by saying it as they go, then rewarding them.
If your puppy has an accident indoors, avoid punishment. Simply clean up with a biological cleaner to remove all traces of scent. Punishment can lead to anxiety or secret toileting and damage the owner-puppy bond.
Health Care
Veterinary care is an essential part of being a responsible puppy owner, and at Every Tail Vets, we're here to support you and your puppy every step of the way.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations protect your puppy from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. In the UK, we routinely vaccinate against:
Canine Distemper Virus
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Hepatitis Virus
Leptospirosis
These vaccines are especially important once your puppy starts going outside.
It’s best to speak to a member of our veterinary team to determine the most suitable vaccination schedule for your puppy, based on their age, lifestyle, and exposure to other dogs.
Most puppies will have received their first vaccination before coming home.
It’s best to speak to a member of our veterinary team to determine the most suitable vaccination schedule for your puppy, based on their age, lifestyle, and exposure to other dogs.
Most puppies will have received their first vaccination before coming home.
If you’re unsure, ask your breeder or rescue organisation for their vaccination record and bring it along to your first visit.
A second vaccine is typically given around 4 weeks after the first, followed by annual boosters to maintain protection.
These yearly check-ups also include a full health assessment to keep your puppy in tip-top shape.
A second vaccine is typically given around 4 weeks after the first, followed by annual boosters to maintain protection.
These yearly check-ups also include a full health assessment to keep your puppy in tip-top shape.
Parasite Prevention
Protecting your puppy from parasites like worms and fleas is just as important as vaccination, especially during their early months.
Your vet may recommend a more frequent parasite treatment schedule while your puppy is still growing. This helps ensure they are protected against a wide range of parasites during this more vulnerable stage of life.
Your vet may recommend a more frequent parasite treatment schedule while your puppy is still growing. This helps ensure they are protected against a wide range of parasites during this more vulnerable stage of life.
There are several parasite treatment options available, including oral chewable tablets and topical spot-on treatments. Your vet will discuss the most suitable option for you and your pet during your vaccination appointment with us.
Neutering
Neutering is the surgical removal of reproductive organs in dogs:
- Castration for males (removal of testicles)
- Spaying for females (removal of ovaries and often the uterus).
Depending on the breed, puppies can begin reaching sexual maturity from 6 months but this can vary up to 24 months at which stage they can reproduce.
Neutering reduces or removes risks linked to reproductive organs.
In females, it helps prevent conditions like pyometra (womb infection), phantom pregnancies, and some cancers (e.g., mammary tumours).
In males, it lowers the risk of testicular cancer and hormone-related issues like prostate and anal diseases.
Neutering can have multiple health, behavioural and practical benefits for dogs and their owners.
Neutering reduces or removes risks linked to reproductive organs.
In females, it helps prevent conditions like pyometra (womb infection), phantom pregnancies, and some cancers (e.g., mammary tumours).
In males, it lowers the risk of testicular cancer and hormone-related issues like prostate and anal diseases.
Neutering can have multiple health, behavioural and practical benefits for dogs and their owners.
Both spaying and castration are routine day surgeries performed at Every Tail Vets. During the procedure, your dog will be carefully monitored by a Registered Veterinary Nurse while our experienced Veterinary Surgeon carries out the operation.
In most cases, your dog will be able to return home the same afternoon, and you’ll be given full aftercare instructions to support a smooth recovery.
Because dogs vary widely by breed and individual development, we recommend speaking with one of our veterinary team to determine the ideal time to neuter your pet.
For some breeds, neutering is safe from around six months of age, while for others, it may be more appropriate to wait until they are 18 months or older.
Because dogs vary widely by breed and individual development, we recommend speaking with one of our veterinary team to determine the ideal time to neuter your pet.
For some breeds, neutering is safe from around six months of age, while for others, it may be more appropriate to wait until they are 18 months or older.
Dental Care
Dogs can suffer from dental disease just like humans. Tartar buildup can lead to gum disease and discomfort. Brushing your puppy’s teeth regularly can help slow down tartar formation and maintain oral health.
For advice on tooth brushing techniques, feel free to ask one of our team members.
Introduce tooth brushing early to help your puppy become comfortable with the process, but always use a toothpaste specifically designed for dogs, as human toothpaste is harmful to them.
Insurance
While pet insurance is not mandatory, we highly recommend arranging a policy when you adopt your puppy.
Insurance can help cover the cost of unexpected veterinary treatment, which can sometimes be significant depending on the condition or care required.
Having a suitable policy in place offers peace of mind, knowing that if something goes wrong, you’ll be able to provide your puppy with the care they need for a healthy recovery.
Insurance can help cover the cost of unexpected veterinary treatment, which can sometimes be significant depending on the condition or care required.
Having a suitable policy in place offers peace of mind, knowing that if something goes wrong, you’ll be able to provide your puppy with the care they need for a healthy recovery.
We cannot recommend a specific provider, but we suggest choosing a policy that suits both your needs and budget. Where possible, opt for a “lifetime” policy, which ensures that any condition your puppy develops will continue to be covered throughout their life—not just as a one-off.