Our Family Dog I Advice For First Time Dog Owners

Welcome to Our Family Dog

Advice and support for first-time dog owners

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Story

'A year and a half on with our nervous dog'

Lifestyle

Your guide to dog-friendly staycations

Getting a dog

What you need to think about if you’re planning to get a dog

Your new dog

How to prepare to bring your new dog home

Dog care services

How to find a good dog trainer, dog walker, and other services

Dog & puppy guides

Get tips and advice to help you care for your dog

8 week old puppy

The first week with a new puppy will be exciting – and exhausting. If you’re a first time dog owner, then this will be as new to you as it is your puppy.

9 week old puppy

You and your puppy will be getting to know each other and they should be starting to feel more settled in their new home.

10 week old puppy

You may be starting to get into a routine with your new puppy – but don’t despair if you’re experiencing the ‘puppy blues’, you’re not alone.

12 week old puppy

Your puppy will be growing rapidly and getting to grips to the world around them.

4 month old puppy

Your puppy should now be sleeping through the night and be housetrained, but prepared for the occasional accident.

6 month old puppy

At 6 months old, your puppy is considered to be an adolescent. Be prepared for some teenage behaviour!

1 year old dog

Congratulations! It’s your puppy’s first birthday. With the first year behind you, life should start to get easier.

Puppy grooming: your puppy’s first haircut

Are you ready to book your puppy in for their first haircut? Cheryl Greenhough from Country Canines Grooming shares her puppy grooming tips to help you prepare for your puppy’s first trim. Why use a professional groomer? Whether you have a smooth haired breed like a Dachshund or a long-haired breed such as a…

The truth about puppy farming

In this sad but heartwarming story, puppy farming campaigner Janetta Harvey shares her experience of life with her wonderful dogs who were rescued from the cruel puppy trade. When five month old Albert Claude breezed into our world in February 2019, he brought with him a vibrancy and innocence that had faded in my mind…

Back to basics with puppy potty training

Hislla’s search for the perfect puppy brought her to Jasper, a bouncy springer spaniel. She shares her experience of raising a puppy in a flat. Guess what happens when you take your eye off the ball with puppy potty training! My husband and I spent years talking about getting a dog. For my husband, it…