to download our puppy care leaflet - Pets at Home

836 Puppy CS.qxp:520 Puppy CS 24/11/09 09:53 Page 1
Bath time
Your puppy will only need 2 or 3 baths each
year as too much bathing will dry out his
skin. We have a full range of shampoos,
powders and wipes, including deodorising
shampoo for puppies. This shampoo has
been specially formulated for the unique
sensitivities of your puppy’s skin
Your puppy will also need daily
brushing and regular trips to the
groomer. We have a wide selection of
grooming brushes and combs including
this 3 piece puppy grooming kit, designed
especially to keep their coat and skin
healthy and clean.
Health
Your puppy must be vaccinated before being allowed outside.
First vaccinations are usually given around 8-9 weeks and the
second booster vaccination at 12 weeks. Why not visit a
Companion Care Veterinary Surgery in store for more information.
Now that you’re starting to explore together it’s a good idea
for your puppy to have a personalised pet tag, so that if the
worst should happen and you were separated, you can be
assured that your puppy is wearing a tag with your contact
details. It is also a legal requirement for all dogs to wear a
collar and identity tag in a public place (The Control of Dogs
Order, 1992). We have a personalised pet tag engraving
service available in all of our stores. We also recommend
that you have your puppy microchipped, in case he loses his
pet tag. For more information, please ask your vet.
Teething
Your puppy will start teething somewhere between 3 and 6
months. This can be a tough time, so a good selection of
puppy-safe chew toys will help relieve toothache and build up
healthy teeth and gums. We have a range of toys available
that are suitable for freezing, these are great for teething
puppies as they can help to numb the
area and ease their pain. If you find your
puppy is really suffering, you may want
to try puppy teething gel which contains
clove leaf, chamomile and peppermint
oils to help soothe their gums.
Dental hygiene is important throughout
your puppy’s life, so ensure that you
regularly clean his teeth with toothpaste
and a finger brush specially designed
for puppies.
Flea and worm treatment
Your new puppy will need regular protection from fleas and
worms, as this is vital for their health. Treating and
preventing fleas and worms is simple and painless. We have
a suitably qualified person (SQP) in every store who is
qualified to dispense all leading flea and worm medication
including FRONTLINE®and Drontal®. We also stock a
selection of sprays and wipes that accompany the treatments
to ensure your puppy’s bed and your entire house is free from
these parasites.
Shopping list for your puppy
Puppy Food
Puppy Treats
Food and Water Bowls
Toys
Adjustable Puppy Collar
Lead
Pet ID Tag
Puppy Pen/Indoor Crate
Car Guard or Harness
Puppy Bed
Puppy Grooming Brush
Teething Gel
Chew Bone and Teether
Flea and Worm Treatment
Puppy Shampoo
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Puppy Pads
Pee Post
Poop Bags
Click and we’ll fetch
petsathome.com
Pets at Home © 12374
The Pets at Home guide to
Caring for your
Puppy
where pets come first

836 Puppy CS.qxp:520 Puppy CS 24/11/09 09:54 Page 2
Congratulations!
If you’re reading this, then chances are
you’ve just welcomed a new bundle of
fun into your home. We know there’s a
lot to learn with any new pet so we’ve
put together this handy guide to give you
some advice on everything your puppy
might need for a happy, healthy start.
This is just a small selection of what we
have to offer for you and your new
puppy. To see our complete range, pop
into your local Pets at Home store and
our expert team members will be on
hand to give you help and advice. If you
would like to shop from the comfort of
your home why not visit our website,
petsathome.com
Settling in
Settling your puppy into his new home will be much easier
for both you and your puppy if you prepare in advance.
Here are a few basic essentials that will make your puppy
feel at ease in their new home.
An indoor crate or puppy pen is a great way to help
your puppy feel safe and secure in their new
environment. Your puppy may have been kept in a crate
before you brought him home, so it might feel familiar.
When choosing a crate it’s important to consider how big your
puppy will be when he’s fully grown. Always place your puppy’s
bed or crate somewhere away from draughts with some privacy.
If your new puppy is anxious about their new
home, you may want to try a natural calming
remedy such as Serene-UM drops. These help
to relieve any stress your puppy may feel when
settling into a new home. These drops are only
suitable for puppies over 6 weeks old.
Our micropillows are a great way to keep your
puppy warm during the winter months, simply
pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds
and your new arrival will be snug for hours.
Puppies are naturally inquisitive and love to explore. Dog
safety gates are a great way to introduce them into your
home slowly and safely, especially if you have other pets.
They also love to chew and pick things up with their mouths so
make sure that you move anything valuable or dangerous out
of their reach.
Diet
Your puppy’s first few meals at home are very important. To
ensure they do not get an upset stomach it is best to find out
what your puppy was being fed and continue to feed them on
the same food for a day or two. If they’ve not been eating an
Advanced Nutrition brand, then we recommend you change
their diet. This will need to be done gradually over a few days,
mixing equal amounts of old and new food into their bowl.
A puppy’s nutritional needs vary
significantly from that of an adult dog
and they require a unique and balanced
diet to help them grow into healthy
adults. Pets at Home Puppy Complete
has been specially formulated to meet
the unique nutritional needs at this
critical stage of your puppy’s
development. We have carefully
blended protein and fibre in an easy to
digest formula. This ensures your
puppy has all the essential nutrients
for growth and stamina, for the very
best start in life.
We only use quality ingredients to help keep your puppy in the
best possible condition. Every meal contains a high meat
content which is sourced from UK farms. It is also non GM
and contains no added colourants, flavourings or
preservatives.
It’s vital that your puppy always has access to a
clean, fresh supply of water. You may want to
treat him to puppy milk every now and again. Our
puppy milk is enriched with Omega 3 and infused
with vitamins and minerals.
When you wash his bowls, only use water as
washing up liquid can harm his delicate stomach.
It’s also advisable to wash them separately from
your own. For more advice on what to feed your
puppy, ask a member of our store team, they will
be more than happy to help.
Training and behaviour
Training is an important part of your puppy’s development. It
is most effective if you praise and reward your puppy
immediately after they have responded to a command. You
can reward him with a nutritionally balanced treat, some of
your puppy’s usual food or a toy. Even just praising your dog
can be effective. Training is most successful when your puppy
is between 12 and 18 weeks old as this is when they form
most of their habits.
If you are rewarding your
puppy with treats then it is
important that they are
healthy. Our Pets at Home
puppy treats are great for
your puppy’s digestion and
some even have added
calcium to help their teeth
and bones grow stronger.
Toilet training
When toilet training, it is vital that you give your puppy regular
toilet breaks, key times are morning, night and after meals.
Accidents will happen, so don’t be too hard on your puppy.
If you see them going to the toilet indoors
then a firm ‘no’ and a trip to their outdoor
toilet area will suffice. If you’re too tough
then your puppy will become afraid to go to
the toilet in front of you and this could lead
to more accidents. Our stain and odour
remover will not only remove all pet stains,
but it removes the scent of pet urine
ensuring your puppy doesn’t foul in the
same place twice.
If you are training your puppy to go
outside, it’s best to select an area in your
garden that you want to become your
puppy’s toilet area. You can help them to
distinguish this area by using a Pee Post.
If you take your puppy to this post
whenever he needs the toilet, he will soon
associate the post with the toilet.
When you’re out and about it’s your
responsibility to clean up after your pup.
Poop bags are a quick and convenient
way to help you clean up after your
pup. Don’t forget to clean your hands
afterwards with our handy foam hand
wash which requires no water and is
proven to kill germs.
For indoor training try using puppy pads,
as they release a scent which will attract
your puppy to wherever it is placed. This
will encourage him to relieve himself on
the super-absorbant pad and not your
floor. It’s important to place the pads
away from where he eats and sleeps.
Playtime
Now that you have got all the basics it’s time to start
having fun with your new puppy. It is very important that
your puppy socialises with other dogs from an early age. To
avoid them being scared when they are older the more they
see, hear and do in the first few weeks the better. Ask a
member of our store team about our puppy events. Help
strengthen the bond between you and your new puppy with
lots of playtime every day. We have a wide range of toys
designed specifically for puppies for you to choose from.