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Puppy & Kitten
Expert tips and resources for giving your new friend the best start in life.
Welcoming a New Puppy
Bringing home a puppy is an exciting and heartwarming experience. Whether you’ve been waiting for this moment for months or it’s a spontaneous addition to your family, you’re about to embark on an incredible journey. Puppies are full of energy, curiosity, and boundless love, but they also require patience, routine, and the right care to help them grow into happy, healthy dogs.
From setting up your home to their first vet visit, we’ve put together all you need to know for these important first months.
Getting Started
Your First Days Together
The first few days in a new home can be overwhelming for a puppy. Everything—from your voice to the smell of the carpet—is new to them. They might be playful and curious, or they might be a little shy and unsure.
Create a Quiet, Safe Space
Set up a cozy area with a comfy bed, water, and some soft toys. Puppies need plenty of rest, so a space where they can retreat when tired is essential.
Introduce Family Members Gradually
Everyone will be excited to meet the new arrival, but it’s best to let your puppy adjust at their own pace.
Establish a Routine from Day One
Puppies thrive on consistency. Set feeding times, regular toilet breaks, and a bedtime routine early on.
Expect Sleepless Nights
Your puppy might whimper or bark as they adjust to sleeping alone, but with patience and reassurance, they’ll soon settle into their new home.
Next Steps
Socialisation & Training
Once your puppy starts feeling more at home, it’s time to begin training and socialisation. The earlier you introduce them to new experiences, the more confident and well-adjusted they’ll become.
Toilet Training
Puppies need frequent bathroom breaks, especially after eating or waking up. Taking them to the same spot each time helps reinforce good habits.
Basic Training
Teaching commands like ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ early on helps set boundaries and encourages good behaviour. Keep training sessions short and fun—puppies have short attention spans!
Meeting New People & Pets
Socialising your puppy in a controlled and positive way helps prevent nervousness or fear in new situations. Introduce them to friendly dogs and let them explore different environments
Puppies are learning all the time, so even everyday activities—like hearing the hoover or walking on different surfaces—help shape their confidence.
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A Timeline
Your Puppy's Vet Schedule
Visit 1
8 Weeks
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Health check-up – A full examination to check your puppy’s overall health.
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1st Vaccination – Protects against parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, and leptospirosis.
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Microchipping – Required by law in the UK before 8 weeks of age.
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Parasite Control Advice – Flea, tick, and worm treatment guidance.
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Diet & Training Advice – Tips on feeding schedules, toilet training, and early socialisation.
💡 Book your puppy’s first vet visit as soon as you bring them home!
Visit 2
10 - 12 Weeks
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2nd Vaccination – Ensures full protection (including kennel cough if needed).
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Health check-up – Monitoring growth, behaviour, and overall wellbeing.
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Parasite Control – Ongoing flea, tick & worming treatments.
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Diet & Nutrition Advice – Adjusting food portions as your puppy grows.
💡 Your puppy will be fully vaccinated 1-2 weeks after this visit, ready to explore the outside world safely!
Visit 3
5 - 6 Months
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Neutering/Spaying – Recommended for most dogs, depending on breed and size.
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Dental Health Check – Ensuring baby teeth have fallen out and adult teeth are developing properly.
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Growth & Behaviour Assessment – Support with any training or behaviour concerns.
💡 Neutering can reduce the risk of certain health issues and unwanted behaviours. Speak to your vet about the best timing for your dog.
Visit 4
12 - 14 Months
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1st Year Booster Vaccination – Ensures continued protection against serious diseases.
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Wellness Check – A full health assessment to monitor weight, joints, and overall development.
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Ongoing Parasite Prevention – Flea, tick & worming plan tailored to your dog’s needs.
💡 After this, your puppy will move onto an annual vaccination and health check schedule.
Want Your Pet to Live a Happy, Healthy Life?
If you want a friendly, compassionate and attentive family vet that is there to help prevent illness as well as deal with emergencies, then we could be the practice you. If you are the sort of person who thinks of their pet as a furry family member then you are most likely in the right place.
Our Clients & Their Pets Enjoy:
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Double length appointments with the vet.
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Low-stress handling so pets enjoy coming to see us.
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Caring and respectful interactions from a friendly team.
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Upfront and transparent explanations and estimates for any work.
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Wellness and prevention care - to avoid illness.
But we know that this is not what everyone wants from a vet. Low cost or no-frills may be what you want. You may not think dental care or vaccines matter. No worries, we're not here to judge you, but we're also not the right practice for you in that case either.
We believe in being honest, it's one of our values, so we wanted to get this up front and kick off our relationship on the very best foot. If you'd still like to register, then fill in the form below and we look forward to meeting you soon.