Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming for the puppy. Here are some tips to help your puppy settle into their new home:

How to create a safe space for your puppy

Your puppy has just left their mother and littermates to come to an unfamiliar place alone. It is common for a puppy to take a few days to accept this as their new normal and start to come out of their shell. Provide them with a safe place to hide if they feel overwhelmed. This can be a crate or a little den with a cosy blanket and toy. Allowing them quiet time to adjust and learn to come to you for affection, treats, and play will help them to trust you.

What to do if your puppy has diarrhoea or a tummy upset

Many puppies will have some degree of an upset tummy due to stress and changes in diet. To minimise this, we advise keeping your puppy on the same food the breeder gave them for at least the first week before gradually transitioning them to the food you will give them long-term.

How to keep your puppy calm and reduce stress

Plug-in pheromone/oil diffusers such as Pet Remedy or Adaptil can help reduce stress. The equivalent sprays, readily available at most pet stores, can also help your puppy accept things like crates and car travel.

Feeding

Meal Frequency Feed your puppy 3 or 4 meals a day until they are 6 months old. After this age, you can reduce it to 2 meals a day.

Nutritional Needs A puppy’s weight may double or even triple during the first few weeks of life. Due to their high activity levels, puppies have nutritional needs that are quite different from adult dogs, requiring more energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins. It is very important to feed a life stage-appropriate complete diet, such as puppy food or junior food. Depending on the breed and food you use they will transition to adult food around 9 months - 1 year of age for small and medium breeds, or up to 18 months to 2 years for very large breeds.

Types of Food Both dry and wet food are nutritionally balanced for your dog’s Homemade and RAW Diets Homemade and RAW diets should be used with caution. They can be deficient in vitamins, leading to health problems for your growing puppy. Feeding a RAW diet can also carry bacteria that could lead to illness for your puppy and your family.

Water Fresh drinking water should always be available.

Socialisation

Early Exposure The first part of your puppy’s socialisation period occurs at the breeder’s home between 2 and 8 weeks of age. Your puppy will be more relaxed and confident if they have been exposed to handling, children, visitors, and other animals during this time. The first 4 months of life are a particularly vital time for socialisation.

Continued Socialisation Once home, ensure your puppy gets used to gentle handling by multiple people early on. Gentle stroking and providing special treats will make the experience positive for your pup. Meeting as many different people, places, and animals in their first few months as possible will mean they accept far more as they get older.

Crate Training

Introduce your puppy to any crates or carriers you may need to use at a young age. Leaving one open in the room with comfy bedding, toys, and treats will encourage your puppy to explore it.

Car Travel

Expose your puppy to car travel at an early age to ensure they feel secure. Short journeys and treats will make the association positive. Many pups will be a little car sick initially, so don’t give up. Keep going and make the experience positive. Most dogs love the car if it means an outing somewhere fun.

Handling Training

Get your puppy used to handling their feet, ears, and mouth early on to avoid problems if they hurt themselves or need examination by a vet in the future.

Outdoor Environments

It’s good to get your puppy used to different outdoor environments once their vaccines have taken effect and they can go out and socialise and explore.

Puppy Vaccinations

Essential Vaccines All puppies should be vaccinated against Canine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus, Canine Hepatitis, and usually Leptospirosis. Kennel cough vaccination is also recommended for dogs going to training classes, clubs, or kennels, or where they will meet other dogs.

Vaccination Schedule • First Vaccination: Can be given from 6 weeks of age. • L4 Vaccine: Recommended due to the increasing prevalence of leptospirosis; protects against four types of Leptospirosis. • Second Vaccination: Given 3-4 weeks later, when the puppy is at least ten weeks old. • Revaccination: Every year.

Side Effects Side effects of vaccination do happen, but serious side effects are extremely rare. Your puppy may be quieter than usual for a day after the vaccine and sore around the injection site.

Microchipping

Legal Requirement Microchipping is a legal requirement for all puppies by eight weeks of age. It helps you reunite with your pet if it is stolen or goes missing. Microchipping is a quick, relatively painless injection of a chip the size of a grain of rice in the scruff of the neck.

Information Stored The only information stored on the microchip is a 15-digit number. The registration details you provide are stored on a central database linked to the number. Only registered, official people can access this to contact you if your dog is found. It’s vital you keep your information up to date by contacting the microchip if you move or change your phone number.

Insurance and Health Plans

Pet Insurance We advise having pet insurance so you don’t have to make treatment decisions based on finances. Carefully check the level and type of cover to ensure it suits your needs. Health Plans A health plan can complement pet insurance by helping budget for routine costs like parasite treatment, vaccines, and prescriptions. These are often not covered by pet insurance. You can find out more and sign up for our health plan here.

Dental Care

Brushing Gold standard dental care involves brushing your dog’s teeth daily using special toothpaste. If started as a puppy, most dogs will tolerate this. Use a finger brush or a soft child’s toothbrush to avoid hurting your pup’s gums.

Tail Docking

Legal Status It is illegal to dock puppies' tails unless they are working dogs of certain breeds. Animal Trust does not offer docking services, not even to working dogs. If you have a puppy with a docked tail, they must have a certificate to show it was done legally.

Parasite Control

Worms Puppies will pick up worms in the womb and from their mother’s milk. Worms in puppies can be serious. The vet or nurse will advise you of the best product and schedule for worming your puppy in its initial consultation. Depending on the product, a puppy typically needs worming every 2-3 weeks for the first 3 months of life. From 3 – 6 months of age it is usually recommended to worm once per month.

Fleas Puppies can arrive with fleas or pick them up from other animals. Regular treatment eliminates the problem. Prescription medications are usually more effective than shop products and often also cover other risks like skin and ear mites and ticks.

Animal Trust Starter Pack

If you choose Animal Trust to care for your new puppy, we offer a money-saving starter pack to give your puppy the best start in life while keeping treatment affordable for you. It includes: • Primary Vaccination Course: Two injections to protect against common diseases. • Parasite Treatment: Three months' worth of treatment with Simparica Trio. • Additional Wormer: A wormer to cover tapeworms and the roundworm cover provided by Simparica Trio. • Microchipping: If your pet still needs to be microchipped. This package ensures your pet receives the recommended vaccinations, parasite control, and identification to help give it the best start in life.