The fast rate at which puppies grow within the first year and the delicate nature of their organs mean that they need an easily digestible diet that is packed with the right nutrients and protein to support normal growth and development.

As your puppy’s organs will continue to grow for the first year of their life, they should generally be fed puppy food for this whole year, even if they seem fully grown before this time.                             

Don?t rush! Make sure you have carefully considered all the factors and commitments surrounding owning a pet before you bring one into your home and your life.

Which breed should I choose?

Before you decide on a breed, it is important to research it thoroughly. Different breeds of dogs have different natures, and therefore different requirements. Knowing the general habits and requirements of the breed you are interested in will help to determine whether or not they are suited for your family and your lifestyle.

Understanding the breed of the dog will help you gain insight into the general temperament of that type of dog; however, even within breeds, every dog is different. You may want to talk to the handler or breeder of the dog and discuss the temperament of that particular dog, or their parents if possible, with them. This will help you gain an understanding of the nature of the dog, and how it may interact with other animals and humans.

Remember to take into consideration the activity requirements of the dog you are looking to get before you make a final decision, and whether or not you will be able to give them the space and exercise they need to be fit, happy and healthy. Don?t forget that different dogs have different needs ? be realistic about the amount of exercise your pet will need, and that they will be able to enjoy within the confines of the space you can provide. Bigger dogs often require more space than smaller dogs, but some breeds of small dogs are more active and require more space or exercise.

Some breeds of dogs require more grooming than others. Long-haired and more mischievous dogs need to be groomed often, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors. Short-haired dogs often require less grooming, although they still need to be washed and brushed regularly to keep them clean and flea/tick free. Make sure you know how much grooming your dog will need, and that you are willing and able to devote the time and capacity required to fulfil these needs.

Should I get a male or a female?

Male and female dogs have different needs, and each require various commitments to ensure they are kept safe and healthy. Make sure you know the gender of you pooch and its respective needs before you commit to taking care of it. For example, if you already have a dog at home, take into consideration how they will react to another male or female. If you are planning on having one or more of each sex, you may need to consider neutering one of them. A female dog in general will need to be neutered, or closely monitored, should you not wish to breed with her.

Where should I buy my dog?

There are many legitimate breeders around the country that specialise in raising healthy, happy and pedigree pups. Once you have decided on the breed of dog you would like to bring into your home, you can start to search for these breeders.

But buying your dog from a breeder is not the only option. Why not consider adopting your new addition from a shelter, and give an abandoned or homeless dog a loving home?

There are both pros and cons to adopting a homeless dog:

-Pros:

• There are many good-natured dogs that end up neglected and homeless due to various reasons that are not reflective of their behaviour. These dogs deserve love, care and a safe and happy environment, which adoption provides for them.
• A lot of homeless dogs are often a bit older. Older dogs typically require much less training, and will most often already be house trained. A lot of older dogs will also have outgrown the ?chew everything in sight? phase, so your shoes and belongings will be safe, and they will generally sleep through the night ? so you won?t have to worry about your beauty sleep while you teach your pup sleeping patterns.
• Many dog shelters or adoption centres neuter and de-worm the dogs before matching them to a home, which means you won?t have to.

-Cons:

• A lot of homeless dogs are often a bit older ? if you are looking for a puppy you might have to search a little harder.
• You may inherit some unforeseen behavioural problems.
• If you adopt a mixed-breed puppy from a shelter, it will be difficult to accurately tell how big your pup will grow. Most shelters will be able to give you a rough idea of the size the dog may grow to, based on the breeds in their make-up.

How do I get my home ready for a puppy?

Here are a few tips to get you started:

- Remember, you are dealing with a small, agile and inquisitive creature, so be sure to remove any hazards that could harm the little one.

- Puppies are known to chew anything in sight, so take care to ensure that electrical cords and other items that could harm your puppy (or that you would like to remain intact!) are kept out of reach.

- Puppies often love water but, like us, they need to learn how to swim before they enter the water. Make sure you keep a close eye on your puppy around pools, ponds or other water sources, or fence off the area if you are not going to be around.

- If your puppy comes from a breeder, ask them for a piece of cloth that has the mother?s scent on it. This will provide extra comfort for your new pup, and help him/her adjust to their new environment.

- Ensure you have all the equipment you will need to look after your puppy. This will include water and food bowls (if you want these to last, we suggest stainless steel ? puppies? teeth are sharper than you?d think), a thin nylon collar and leash, chew toys and a dog bed/dog kennel for your pup to call home.

- Puppies don?t come house-trained! So save your newspapers to make the process a little less messy.

- Discuss the new doggy rules and processes with your whole family and everyone in the house so that everyone is prepared for your new family member?s arrival.

Keeping your puppy healthy

- Establishing a relationship with your vet when your puppy is young is important. This will create trust between your puppy and your vet, and will make any future visits less scary for your dog.

- Puppies need to be vaccinated against various illnesses and checked periodically for worms and other parasites to ensure they are protected from contracting these illnesses.

- Ask your vet about important health programmes available for your pet:

Core vaccinations

These vaccinations are aimed at preventing the more serious and often fatal diseases, such as Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus and Rabies.

Non-core vaccinations

These vaccinations are for dogs that may be at risk of contracting Bordetellosis, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis and Coronavirus because of their lifestyle habits or surrounding environments.

Physical exams

These exams should be performed at least once a year and are important for keeping your dog in optimal health. During these exams your vet will do a full check-up on your dog, which will enable your vet to find any chronic or ‘silent’ illnesses to ensure your pet remains happy and healthy.

Neutering or spaying

Unless you are intending to breed your puppy, neutering or spaying is recommended. Not only will this decrease the chance of unwanted procreation, but it will also have additional benefits for your dog. Neutered or spayed dogs are generally less territorial, less aggressive and less inclined to run away in search of a mate. Neutering or spaying your dog also lessens their risk of life-threatening diseases/infections such as Pyometra, Breast Cancer and Prostate problems.

It is recommended to spay or neuter your pet between 4 and 7 months of age. Another helpful thing to remember is that females who are spayed before their first heat cycle will have a 95-98% decreased chance of developing malignant Breast Cancer.

ID chipping

Even the most well-cared-for and loved dogs run the risk of accidentally getting lost. Microchip identification is a very efficient way of ensuring that your dog is safely returned to you if this does happen. A microchip is inserted under the skin, in a quick and relatively painless procedure. This chip allows vets to obtain important information about you and your pet, allowing you to be reunited with your faithful companion quickly and easily.                             

Do I need to cut my dog’s nails?

Yes. Trimming your dog’s nails is essential to the health of your dog’s paws. Depending on how naturally worn down they are from their activity, the nails may need to be trimmed more or less. This is very difficult to do by yourself, so we advise taking your pet to a grooming parlour to keep you both happy!

How do I look after my dog’s teeth?

This is very important. Cleaning your dog’s teeth once a week can help prevent dental disease, found in almost 80% of dogs. Montego Classic Treats also have a special agent and can be used as a dental cleaner that is also a delicious and wholesome snack.                             

 - Keep your puppy interested in learning new things by introducing them to new environments. Short walks and playing are great ways to stimulate your puppy, and will help to strengthen your bond.

- Keep toys to a minimum, so the puppy learns to interact with you. Give her one toy that she will always have access to and keep another toy, like a ball or a rope, that you can use to play with her. This will also teach your puppy to only play with ‘chew approved’ items, and not other things like your new shoes or dining room chairs!

- Use your puppy’s name often so that he will learn to respond to it. Include the dog’s name when giving commands, such as “Rover. Sit!” or “Fetch, Rover!” Follow each successful command with a positive response.

- Dogs respond to positive reinforcement, so try to establish these as early on as possible. Make sure you use verbal reinforcements and petting, too, so that your pooch won’t become reliant on food as his only reward.

- Teach your puppy that coming when you call him is the best thing in the world! Use their name, sit on the floor and make a big fuss when they come to you. This will encourage obedience.

- Establish rules early on. Remember that even though you are dealing with a puppy now, he will eventually grow into a big dog! So establish the rules you want for your big dog (like no sitting on the couch) when the puppy is still young. You will have to learn to resist those puppy eyes! Make sure everyone in the house is aware of the rules and sticking to them – consistency is key.

How do I house-train my pup?

- Form the habit of eliminating outside as early as possible. Keep an eye out for your dog’s body language, such as circling or sniffing around, which may be indicators that your puppy needs to relieve himself. Puppies will relieve themselves often, so as soon as you notice indicative behaviour, take him outside to the grass and establish a pattern. Make sure to make a big fuss afterwards, to reinforce good behaviour.

- Whenever your puppy performs well, praise him immediately. Never reprimand your dog physically by yelling harshly, as this will only cause fear and possible aggression later in life.

- Use a stern voice to reprimand when your pup does something wrong, but only if you catch her in the act. Reprimanding your dog after the fact will have no connection to the actual deed and will only confuse your dog.

How do I stop my dog from barking?

Barking is a dog’s way of warning you of danger, but dogs should stop barking when commanded.

The best way to prevent bad behaviour from recurring is to use negative reinforcement. Some of the ways to do this are using your voice, using a squirt of water (in summer only), or a leash check.

When your dog barks, use an authoritative voice command (such as “Quiet!”). If the dog does not stop, use the negative reinforcement and repeat the command. When the dog stops barking, be sure to give him praise.

How do I stop my dog from digging?

Stop your dog form digging by supervising your dog when she is in the garden, by either being physically present, or watching through a window. When your dog starts to dig, interrupt her by using your voice or a loud noise.

How do I stop my dog from guarding his food?

It is normal for dogs to protect their food, as this is an instinctive reaction. However, if your dog is allowed to exhibit aggressive behaviour around food, this may extend into other areas too.

You will need to train your dog using positive and negative reinforcement, to teach him what he is allowed to do and what behaviour is unacceptable.

How do I stop my dog from jumping on people?

Jumping on people is a very common behavioural problem in dogs. Unfortunately, this habit is often inadvertently encouraged by well-meaning owners – after all, it is very hard to resist a cute puppy jumping up to greet you! However, puppies grow, often into very big dogs, and this is when jumping becomes a problem.

It is best to teach a dog when it is still young that jumping on people is unacceptable, as they are more susceptible to learning new habits and they are easier to handle at this stage. When a puppy tries to jump on you or someone else, gently but firmly place the puppy’s feet back on the floor. When the puppy is standing on the floor, be sure to give him lots of praise and reward for his good behaviour. Make sure you are consistent in not letting your dog jump up to avoid confusion!                             

What must I be careful of during playtime with my puppy?

Don’t allow children to play roughly with your puppy as this could encourage bad habits to develop when the puppy is older.

Remember to keep the puppy away from stairs until it has mastered them with your careful supervision.

Keep the puppy well confined and supervised for the first few weeks, as it may wonder off and get lost.

Puppies love attention! So don’t be shy to play with your puppy as often as possible

How soon can I start exercising my puppy?

Puppies love and need exercise, and a short, daily walk will improve muscle development and prevent your pup from becoming overweight. You can start to exercise your pup right from the beginning, but remember that it is still a baby and so will get tired very quickly. Your pup will only really be ready for proper exercise at about a year of age.

How far should I walk my puppy?

A five minute walk is enough exercise for a small pup. As the dog gets older, you can increase the amount of time you exercise for and the distance you cover.

Once your pup gets a little older, they will need about thirty minutes of exercise per day. This can be chasing a ball or going for a walk.

What do I need to know about exercising my puppy?

There are a few things to remember about exercising your pup to ensure he is kept happy and healthy during his exercise routine:

- Puppies’ paws are still very tender, so start exercising your pooch on soft ground, like grass or sand, until her paws have toughened enough to handle harder ground.

- Keep your dog on a leash to avoid any trouble! This will keep them safe from other dogs, as well as any cars or motorbikes.

- Regularly check your dog’s paws for any objects lodged in between the pads and remove them as soon as possible if you find them.

- Don’t exercise your dog immediately after feeding, a full stomach can cause digestive problems.

- Remember to keep your pup well hydrated!