Bringing a puppy home for the first time

Deciding to bring a puppy into your family is a big decision and one that must not be taken lightly. However if you have made the decision to do so and know when he/she is coming home, you'll need to do a bit of preparation before your fluffy bundle arrives!

It's a good idea to begin with drawing up a schedule confirming who will do what for the puppy, i.e. who will take him out for walks, who'll be in charge of feeding and who will be the chief pooper scooper! Try to share this workload out as evenly as possible; ensuring you each get the chance to form your own bond with your new addition.

You'll also need to check that your outdoor space is secure enough. The last thing you want is your little pup wandering the streets after getting loose, so check all fences are secured and don't have any holes they can nip out through. You might also want to check the garden for slugs, as if dogs eat these - which they will, as puppies - they can develop a fatal condition called lung-worm.

It's not just the outdoors you'll have to secure either - anything on show inside your home that can be chewed, will be chewed. It's important you puppy-proof all cables, chair legs etc., unless you fancy having to deal with an electrocuted puppy! One of the best ways to avoid him or her chewing everything in sight is to buy lots and lots of chew toys; that way, they'll always keep occupied. Plus, if you buy one of the best dog cages on the market and keep them in that during the night, they'll be entirely safe.

Apart from that, you've also got to stock up on the basic essentials - food, training pads, blankets, brushes, feeding bowls etc. Don't forget to buy a leash and a collar too, as well as some puppy treats to help with your training regime.

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