Puppy Advice
Vaccinations
It is important for you to have your puppy vaccinated as soon as you can. The vaccinations protect your puppy from contracting various life-threatening diseases such as;
- Parvovirus
- Distemper
- Leptospirosis
- Hepatitis
- Coronavirus
- Kennel cough
We recommend that you speak to your vet for advice on vaccinating your puppy against these diseases.
Diet
Deciding which diet to feed your puppy can be confusing as there are many diets available on the market. We have a wide range of high-quality feeds ranging from complete grain-free diets to frozen food, giving your puppy the best possible start in life. Come and see us for advice on the right type of diet for your new puppy.
Fresh water should always be available.
Worming
Puppies should be wormed from 2 weeks of age and every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age. Thereafter they should be treated every 3 months.
Ask our staff for advice on the best worm treatment for you and your pet’s needs.
Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks are a very common problem and it is likely that your puppy will come into contact with either parasite during its life. There are a variety of treatments available to treat both parasites but as a rule prevention is better than trying to cure the problem. If you have more than one pet in your household it is important to treat all of them in order to prevent them from becoming infected.
Ask our staff about available treatments.
Microchipping
Having your puppy microchipped is an excellent way of ensuring it has a permanent and inexpensive form of identification should it ever go missing. It is a simple procedure which involves injecting a small chip about the size of a grain of rice into the scruff of your puppies’ neck. The microchip is then registered with your details on a national database. If your puppy is ever lost he/she can then be scanned and reunited with you as soon as possible. Microchipping is now available in store!
Neutering
As your puppy gets older you may want to consider neutering. To help you make an informed decision, below is a list of pros and cons.
DOGS - From 6 months of age
- Prevents wandering
- Can help with dominance problems
- Prevents testicular cancer
- Helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer
- May cause weight gain
BITCHES - From 6 months of age or 3 months after a season has finished
- Prevents unwanted puppies
- Prevents pyometra (infection of the uterus, can be life-threatening)
- Reduces the risk of mammary tumours by up to 98%
- May cause weight gain
- May cause urinary incontinence later in life
Dental Care
Getting your puppy used to brushing his/her teeth from an early age can dramatically reduce the need for your dog to have dental treatment later on in life. Special finger/ dual ended dog toothbrushes can be used alongside specifically designed toothpaste just for dogs. Including this in your puppy's daily routine can make easy healthcare possible. Toys and chews are also available to help reduce the risk of tartar building up on your dog’s teeth.
Training
For your puppy to be a happy, well-adjusted adolescent and adult dog, he/she needs good training. Your training methods should always be kind, calm and reward-based. With house training, the key is to identify the place where you want your puppy to go, take him/her there often. Every time he/she performs to make a huge fuss of him/her, with praise and treats. Frequently take them out after play, feeding, exercise, first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and at least once an hour until trained.
Socialisation
One of the most important and fun aspects of having a new puppy is socialisation. It is vital at this stage of your puppy's life to gently expose it to as many new objects and experiences as possible. Once suitably vaccinated try and introduce your puppy to different types of people, children and other animals as well as getting it used to household items, such as a vacuum cleaner. These can be very frightening for puppies!
Ensure rewards are always given when your puppy has reacted well to something new, using positive reinforcement in this way will help it to become a confident and friendly adult dog.
Breeders
We offer discounts to Kennel Club accredited breeders on microchipping their litters. You will also receive a free puppy pack for each puppy to hand out to their new owner.