Puppy Care

Getting a new puppy is such an exciting time. Despite all the fun times you’ll be having with your small ball of fur, introducing this new ball of fur and joy to the family can be challenging! To help you prepare for this magical moment, here are some of the things you can look forward to as an owner.

Dogs usually make firm friends with other dogs easily. But can cats and dogs get along? Here is how to introduce your new dog to other pets. It’s important to introduce your pup to other pets carefully. That’s easier said than done. An older dog can get territorial. And a cat will let you know when they’re not happy with the new housemate. So, how to introduce a puppy to a cat or an older dog? Here is what to do to make a smooth transition for the new arrival and keep fellow pet residents calm during those first interactions. However, remember that some pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and reptiles are best kept away from dogs.

Puppies and children can have a loving relationship when introductions are done right. Find out how to get them acquainted with child safety in mind. We want them to get on, but it can be tricky. At Purina, we’ve come up with tips on how to introduce a dog to a baby or child and the first steps to create a loving friendship. First, you’ll need to educate a young child on how to approach dogs with care. Children make sudden movements and high-pitched noises that can intimidate or frighten a dog. They will often treat puppies like cuddly, soft toys. If they’re not taught from the start to be gentle, they’ll probably chase and squeeze them. First, you’ll need to educate a young child on how to approach dogs with care. Children make sudden movements and high-pitched noises that can intimidate or frighten a dog. They will often treat puppies like cuddly, soft toys. If they’re not taught from the start to be gentle, they’ll probably chase and squeeze them. Young children also don’t know when a puppy is scared or uncomfortable. They cannot identify?dogs’ body language?and can’t tell when they’re being aggressive. Tell your child never to poke, squeeze or pull at your dog and only use quiet voices when around them. They shouldn’t wake a sleeping pup as they may snap. For more information on educating your child on dog ownership, visit the Behavior and Training section of the Purina site, for a complete guide on training dogs in the best way we know how.

Getting a dog is an exciting time for any household! But before fun dog walks, cuddles, and tricks, responsible dog owners must do their part to create a safe sanctuary for their pups. Prepare anddog proofyour homein time for dog day!

Have you ever heard of meditation for dogs? Yes, you read that right – it seems that meditation isn’t just for people anymore! As a dog owner who wants only the best for their furry friends, you might want to give it a shot. Dog meditation – or at least teaching your dog to relax and chill - can be a great way of enriching the relationship you have with your furry friend and bring you closer together. Many dogs are never taught how to have an ‘off switch’ and are on the go all the time. This is stressful for them, it’s stressful for you, and this lack of canine down time can lead to behaviour issues. So it’s time for you both to learn to chill out a bit. If you feel like spending more time together with your dog and getting to know each other better, practicing mindfulness and inner peace can be a great option for you alongside all the other activities that you share together. But first, let’s find out what the so-called dog meditation is, how it works, and if it brings any benefits for both you and your pupper.

It’s the moment you've been waiting for. Your adorable puppy has now had their vaccinations, is fully protected, and is ready to venture out into the world. And of course, you are a responsible owner who knows dogs need a good walk or two every day so you can’t wait to get out there and show your puppy off to everyone you meet. But hang on a moment, there’s a few more things you need to consider here. Your puppy is very young and even though you have been carrying them around, taking them to see the world in your arms, taking them out in the car for a drive, they still haven’t seen very much and they’re still tiny babies (no matter how big a breed you have!). So, see our guide on taking a puppy for their first walk – we have all the training tips you need, along with an equipment list!

One of the reasons many dogs don’t get the exercise they need to stay happy and healthy is because owners are unable to let them off the lead. Actually, they can let them off the lead with no trouble at all, but it is when they need to catch them again that the problems start!

Castration or neutering is one of the most frequent procedures carried out by veterinarians in the western world. Used as a way to sterilise male dogs to prevent them from reproducing, castration is something most dog owners may consider at some point in their dog’s life. But what is surgical and chemical castration in dogs, and which procedure should you choose if you decide to neuter your dog? Read on to learn more about these two very different but equally efficient techniques.

It’s only natural for your puppy to jump up when they’re excited or pleased to see you but this is something you should discourage before they grow up and this becomes a habit. So even though it might seem cute now, when your pup comes home with you, start to teach them the behaviours you’d like to see straight away. Find out more about how to stop a puppy from jumping up – and why they do it - by reading on.

Puppies should be at least 8 weeks old when they leave their breeder to start their new life (and smaller breeds often leave their mums later). At this age they are still too young to be fully vaccinated, but there is no doubt there are some really nasty and sometimes life-threatening diseases out there that a puppy needs to be protected from. A new owner’s priority is keeping their new arrival safe and healthy - but most people also know that in these early weeks, their puppy is in an important (and short) developmental phase where socialisation and habituation are also vitally important to help them grow up confident, friendly, without fears and phobias, and to reduce occurrence of future behaviour problems.

Dogs are social and crave company by nature – that’s why they bond so well with us. However, if they’re not taught over time how to deal with being alone, this can lead to separation related behaviour problems, commonly known as separation anxiety. Keep reading to discover the common symptoms of separation anxiety, and find out how you can help them overcome it with our useful guide.

There’s little more frustrating than a dog who won’t stop pulling on the lead. It can be extremely tiring for both you and your pup, can become dangerous or even cause lasting damage, and can turn a simple walk into a complete nightmare. This is why teaching a puppy to walk on a lead is important. In their excitement to get places, their joy of being in the great outdoors, and the thrill of having another adventure, many dogs pull on the lead. While every dog can get excited at times, if your dog refuses to walk without constantly pulling, it means that instead of you being able to walk with them happily staying beside you on a loose lead, you are controlling them with nothing more than physical restraint. The lead should be there for safety, and it is your puppy training that should keep your dog walking close to you – not be something you have to hang on to with all your strength! If you are relying on the lead, the physical effort involved in controlling your dog could be overwhelming – and even get dangerous for you both, especially if your canine friend is one of the larger, stronger breeds. Teaching your dog to walk on a loose lead isn’t difficult – especially if you start when your dog is a puppy – and with a bit of work and a lot of consistency, you can both look forward to a lifetime of fun, enjoyable walks together. Keep reading to find out how to lead train a puppy.