New Puppy Advice
Prepare your home for a new puppy with Pet & Country's expert advice and support. From essential supplies to helpful tips, we have everything you need to welcome your new furry friend. Get started on the right paw with Pet & Country.
Welcoming a puppy or new dog into your family is exciting but before rehoming a dog it’s important to consider your living space, your lifestyle and working hours and how your pet will fit with your family and finances. All of this will help you choose the right breed and pet for you.
Once you have found the right dog, it’s time for home safety and arrival preparations. Here are some of our tips and essential purchases to make life easier for you, and to make sure your new arrival is happy in his new home.
Vet and Insurance
New puppies should be vaccinated to help protect against highly infectious diseases - chat to your local vet about your options. It is also a good idea to speak to them about pet insurance to see which they recommend. Pet insurance could save you money in the long run, should your dog ever need treatment.
Feeding A New Pup
Just like us your dog will need a carefully balanced diet, packed with high quality ingredients which maintain healthy skin and coat, keep eyes bright, and keep energy levels high.
Puppies require an appropriate high level of protein to support growth and development through this very important stage of life. This is the fastest development phase within a dog's lifetime. During this phase they also require appropriate controlled Calcium & phosphorous levels to ensure correct skeletal development, which is especially important for large breed puppies.
When making your choice consider your dog’s age and breed, as well as their level of activity and any health issues. Our team at Pet & Country are happy to advise on the best food for your dog. Our own brand of food is known as Greenhill Farm and it is a complete food. There is a special puppy selection of either Super Premium or indeed Grain Free if your pup has any issues with grain digestion.
As well as considering the type of food it is also very important to consider the actual feeding bowls. Invest in some ceramic or stainless-steel water and food bowls – these will be durable and also less easy to tip. Check out our range of ceramic, and stainless steel and bamboo bowls here.
Your New Puppy & Sleep
Exercising your dog in the evening will tire them out, so hopefully they’ll sleep, and you’ll have a peaceful night. Dogs can be pretty resilient when it comes to where they sleep, but that doesn’t mean they don’t like to be comfy. We have an excellent variety of dog beds from many top suppliers. So if you prefer a hard bed with a cushion for your dog or if you are more inclined to go with a completely cushioned style then we have it all. In a variety of sizes, colours & styles. If you rehome a puppy it’s worth considering a bed that is waterproof or at least washable!
Activity & Exercise
Usually your dog will love to get outside. This gives them the chance to socialise with others and explore as well as to get much needed exercise! However you cannot take new puppies out for walks until they’ve had their injections, you can help them get used to wearing a collar and lead as they explore your house and garden – just make sure both are puppy-proof and secure! An adjustable collar is great for growing puppies, but small dogs may feel more comfortable in a harness as it protects their delicate necks. You can purchase an ID tag to identify your dog but by 8 weeks all dogs in Northern Ireland must be microchipped. Contact your local Dog’s Trust for details of their free microchipping events.
Puppy Toys
Toys are more than just playthings for your dog, they can help them develop new skills and improve their ability to learn. Toys also promote natural behaviours such as foraging and exploring. On top of this, toys but can also be part of their dental care. Like babies, puppies’ teeth and gums get sore during teething, so providing a toy which keeps their interest and give them something to bite is a great idea. Check out these great Kong Puppy chew toys! Perfect and extra durable for your new puppy chewing and teething!
Puppy Grooming
It’s important to introduce your dog to grooming at a young age so they become used to the smells and sounds of the salon and the sensation of being groomed. Work with your local groomer to get your pet off to the best start and your dog will quickly learn to love it. Furrish has a great range of grooming products for new pups. It is also very important to brush your pup regularly so as to maintain their coats. When the time comes for grooming your pup it will be a much easier task if the coat has been well maintained by a brush or comb or combination of the both, depending on the coat.
Toilet Training
One of the biggest challenges with a new puppy is toilet training. Generally, puppies need to urinate 5 minutes after food and defecate within 30 mins. By having consistent mealtimes, you can judge when your puppy will need to go outside. As puppies’ bladder control is weak make sure you are taking them out every 1-2 hours during the day. Avoid common errors such as overfeeding and punishing indoor accidents which can make the puppy scared to go to the toilet in front of you – even outside, and don’t leave your pup alone for too long. Allow time, have patience, be disciplined, and offer lots for praise, and before you know it your puppy will be house trained! But for those inevitable little accidents, remember we have a range of cleaning products.
Our store on Main Street in Ballymoney is open Mon – Sat 9am - 5:30pm. Tel: 028 2766 0753.
