Lords & Labradors Information Hub

Prince Hairy and Meghan Bark-le: See What British Royal Family Members Look Like as Dogs

By Megan Willis

Everything You Need For Your New Golden Retriever Puppy

Are you getting a new golden retriever puppy? Getting a puppy is oh-so exciting, but it can also stir a few butterflies when you think about preparing and making sure everything is ready. It’s perfectly normal to have a few nerves and, besides, we’re here to help! We know exactly what every new puppy owner feels, and we know exactly what new puppies need. Every breed is a little different and, in this article, we’re going to look at the beautiful Golden Retriever. We’ll take a little look at the history of the breed and then take you through everything you’ll need for them.   The History of the Golden Retriever Breed The Golden Retriever is a large gun dog that was originally bred to retrieve game, hence their name. They tend to have a friendly and gentle nature which has led them to be an extremely popular family pet; they're the third most popular breed in the US and 8th most popular in the UK. They have a natural love of water, need a fair amount of exercise with at least two lengthy walks a day and are fond of playing. Their gun dog heritage also means they take to training well and they excel in obedience trials. They tend to be great with children so make popular family pets and they’re also good with strangers. You might need to think about what space you have as they’re not the smallest breeds, and their long coats tend to shed a lot so will benefit from regular grooming.   Golden Retriever Shopping List So, you’ve made the decision to get a new Golden Retriever puppy! Here are all of the things you’ll need for them and the sizes we suggest getting. 42” XL Metal Dog Crate - It’s best to buy a dog crate that your puppy will be able to use as an adult too. Puppies grow extremely quickly, and you don’t want to have to repurchase items such as this. A 42” is perfect for an adult, and whilst you might think it seems huge at first, once you have set up the crate for puppy it will be just perfect. We suggest using a puppy bed that fills one half of the crate and then use the other half for a water bowl and a puppy pad. This is the ideal set-up for puppies and can be swapped out for a full-size bed once they have grown up and are fully toilet trained. XL Cosy & Calm Puppy Bed - This is a brilliant bed for your puppy and is designed to use in one of the 42” crates. It is super practical and can be used outside of the crate as a standalone bed too. It has a cosy inner cushion that can be turned over with a Sherpa reverse and a waterproof liner in case of any accidents.  42” XL Crate Cover - A crate cover is a good addition to your crate for both practical and aesthetic reasons. A cover really does help to settle your new puppy, giving them a feeling of security in their crate. It is also a great way to help get your puppy into their night-time routine as they will soon learn that it’s time to sleep when the doors are let down. From a style point of view, it just makes your cage-like crate look nice, turning it into a lovely little den! We have loads of fabric options to choose from, all of which are designed to match our puppy beds.  Puppy Pads - Puppy pads are essential for any new puppy parent. Useful for crate training and for leaving in any area of the house where your puppy lives. You’ll of course try to get them outside at regular intervals to encourage them to the toilet outside, but there will definitely be the odd time that they just can’t hold themselves and a puppy pad will save your floors from being soiled! Lords & Labradors Velvet Blanket - A pet blanket will offer snuggles and a feeling of security to little puppies. They are brilliant for travelling to make their travel crate comfortable and also for adding extra warmth to their bed or crate at home. This version is made from luxury velvet and cosy Sherpa/Teddy Fleece and can be personalised with their name to make it extra special. The large size will be ideal as it will last through to adulthood. Dog Bowls - Your puppy will of course need to eat and drink. Whilst the metal bowls are great for water in the crate, they will need bowls somewhere outside of the crate for proper mealtimes. PetPlex Dirt Defeater Collection- The PetPlex Dirt Defeater shampoo is perfect for your new arrival, as your pup grows up, and establishes their coat, the dirt defeater is great for cutting through grime and removing sheen from long & double coats. Golden Retrievers shed throughout the year but go through two phases where they shed a lot. This will help to keep it to a minimum and keep their coats in good condition. Slicker Brush - Choose a good first brush for your pup, something that is soft enough for sensitive skin with bristles that will smooth the coat and keep tangles at bay. You’ll need to get your pup used to grooming from a young age as they’ll need regular brushing as adults to keep their thick long coats in good condition. KONG Classic - Golden Retrievers naturally like to chew and teething puppies need to soothe sore gums. A premium quality chew toy is essential. The last thing you want is for your puppy to start chewing their bed or your home furnishings. Some of the best chew toys are those by KONG and you can’t go wrong with one of their Classic toys. It can even be stuffed with your pup’s favourite treat or a bit of peanut butter to tempt them to use it. KONG Floppy Knots Elephant - This soft toy is ideal for cuddling up to when your retriever is a puppy but will also make a great toy for gentle games of throw and retrieve as they grow up. The internal knotted skeleton of the toy makes it ideal for carrying around in the mouth making it great for different kinds of play. Did we mention that it looks adorable too?! Who could resist the fun purple velour and blue check design?! Ruffwear Front Range Harness - Lead training is a really important part of your puppy’s development and having the right accessories is a must. We don’t think you can beat the Front Range harness by Ruffwear. The small is probably best for a puppy whilst they’ll likely need the medium as an adult. The harness is robust and offers all the comfort and support they need. They come in a fabulous range of colours too and there are plenty of matching accessories. Don’t forget to choose a matching collar and lead to complete the set!    Upgrade to an L&L Crate Set - Once your puppy is fully toilet trained and there is less risk of any accidents, then you can think about swapping out your puppy’s crate bedding for a full crate set that they can use into adulthood. You can use the same XL crate and then swap the puppy bed for a crate cushion with matching cover and bumper. Our sets come in all kinds of fabric designs; we have printed cottons that are designed in-house, and we also offer premium tweeds that are hard-wearing, durable and look stunning. They’re a really practical choice for big dogs as they withstand plenty of wear and tear. A great option for any adult Golden Retriever!    For Golden Retriever Parents As a new puppy parent, we’re sure you’ll be rather obsessed with your new family member. If you have any further questions about the products mentioned in this article, please do get in touch. We’re always happy to answer any queries you may have. We want you to be happy with your choices and ensure you get all the right things. We're be happy to discuss your needs to achieve that.

By Zac Girdlestone

How To Groom A Dog

Whether you’d like to support your dog’s hygiene, cut down the cost of visiting your professional groomer, or if you’d like to learn something new - it’s really useful to know how to groom your dog, even if you do take them to a professional groomers for a regular groom.  In this article, we explore how to groom your dog at home and what are the basics of grooming you should know to support your dogs hygiene. How To Groom A Dog At Home Grooming your dog at home can provide positive benefits for your pooch, the bonding and time spent together will be invaluable to your dog. Firstly on your list of ‘grooming your dog from home’ should be the correct equipment. A comb or brush A safe place to groom where you can secure your dog Grooming clippers/scissors Nail Clippers Eye and ear wash First Aid Kit/ Spray (incase of any accidents) Dog Shampoo   PetPlex Looking for a new shampoo? Why not try our grooming range which has been formulated to meet your dogs needs, whether theyre playful puppies, have sensitive skin or curly hair which needs a detangle.    How To Groom A Dog A good method to follow generally is: To begin with, try brushing your dog, removing the dead hair and clearing out all of the mud/grease build up. (It’s better to brush the dirt out before bathing your dog) Bathe and wash your dog in warm water with the correct shampoo for their coat. Dry your dog off with a towel or drying coat. (This might be a good time to give your dog a break from the grooming) Our drying mitts are also great for dogs who aren't a fan of putting a drying coat on Once your dog is fully dry and clean, if needed you can move onto cutting their fur. Be very careful when using scissors, and make sure you’re using the correct scissors - it’s not advisable to use your old kitchen scissors. You can then move onto trimming your dog’s nails with a clipper. Always close the clippers quickly; clipping slowly or using dull clippers can cause chipping and splitting. Don’t forget to check your dogs paws and wash their eyes, ears and teeth - you can use ear cleaner and  You may want to finish with some gorgeous-smelling cologne.   How To Groom A Dog’s Legs It’s important to make sure you have brushed/combed their legs before cutting any fur. If your dog is used to being groomed, you may find they’re happy for you to use clippers on them. If they’re not used to being groomed, it’s best to gently place the clippers against your dog’s skin so he can hear and feel the vibration. Only use the tips of the sharp shears to trim your dogs feet and legs, which will prevent you from cutting your dog if he moves suddenly. Start slow with clippers and move in opposite directions, except in sensitive areas such as kneecaps and ankles or elbows.   How To Groom A Dog’s Head Firstly, spend time letting your dog get used to the tools you’re going to use on his face. Use only sharp scissors as blunt scissors will painfully rip your pup’s fur out. It’s important to only cut your dogs fur whilst it’s dry as wet fur will damage and jam up the scissors. Stay calm throughout cutting your dogs head so he stays calm and relaxed throughout.   How To Comb Your Dog’s Hair It’s important to brush down and out, away from your dog’s skin, and only whilst the coat is dry. Always brush in the direction the coat grows; your dog won’t like to be brushed backwards. Be gentle whilst brushing or you may damage your dog’s coat by pulling and stretching hairs until they break.   How To Comb Out Matted Hair On Dogs If your dog has a knot/matt in their fur, try combing the matt out by holding the fur below the tangle and gently separate into smaller pieces. Use short, fast strokes with a comb and then with a brush. This way there is less pulling on their skin (which can be painful!).

By Megan Willis

How To Exchange An Item Or Create A Refund

  Whilst we hope that in every instance you are more than pleased with your purchase, should you wish to return anything bought from us, we will be happy to refund the cost of the item, or offer an exchange; whichever you prefer. We accept returns at any time within 14 days - beginning on the day you receive the goods. You must notify us of the return on the returns portal within 14 days, you then have 14 days to get it back to us for a refund.   How to return an item: Click here and enter your email and order number Order items will be listed. Select item/s you would like to return Returns are priced at £5.75 for small items. For larger items to return, you can contact us at sales@lordsandlabradors.co.uk, where we can arrange a collection via DPD charged at £15. Alternatively, you are not obliged to use the label provided and are free to send your items back with your chosen courier at your own cost and risk.  Once completed you should receive an email with details on how to send back your goods. You will be given a label to print and attach to your parcel. Make sure to include your returns paperwork or order number in your parcel. Refund or credit will be actioned once the item is received back to us and checked over by our warehouse, please note this can take up to 10 working days. You will receive a notification once this has been processed. In the case of faulty goods, we can either send out a brand new item as a replacement or offer a full refund (including any postage costs). We try our utmost to ensure all our products are of the highest quality, but on the rare occasion that something does go wrong we’ll do all we can to rectify the problem and make sure your pets tail is left wagging with their L&L goodies.   Do remember - Outlet and discontinued items are non returnable as they are reduced due to not meeting our strict quality control standards. Personalised items are also non-returnable. Should you need to, you can read our full returns policy here.

By Megan Willis

Top Winter Weather Tips For Pets

Here in the UK we're officially in a cold snap, with forecasters predicting a blanket of 'freezing fog' to cover most of the UK. Snow and other winter weather can look pretty; no one can doubt the beauty of a hoar frost or a landscape dusted in white. But it’s also extremely cold and slippery at times, and it can bring some hazards and challenges for pet owners. Here we give our top tips for cat and dog owners to help you and your four-legged friends get through the rest of the winter season safely and in good health.   Top 10 At Home Winter Weather Tips Keep your pets active indoors - If you get an extremely cold snap, you may find dog walks are reduced to the bare minimum and cats won’t go out as much. It’s really important to keep your pets active indoors on these occasions. Toys and interactive games will help to keep both their minds and bodies active. Our article, ‘Things to do With Your Dog at Home’ has some great ideas if you’re struggling to find things to keep them interested. You could also browse our toys for cats and toys for dogs where you can find all kinds of fun activities for them to keep them entertained in the house.  We love a snuffle mat for dogs to keep them busy and the catit circuits are great for keeping your cats active! Consider keeping your outdoor cat inside - Many cats, even those that usually go outdoors, will choose to stay in the warm during cold weather snaps, especially snowy conditions. But if you have an outdoor cat that still likes to roam outside, even when it gets frosty, make sure they have places that they can easily get to in terms of shelter, food and water. If in doubt, we’d suggest keeping your cat indoors, even if it does make them a bit grumpy. Provide them with plenty of stimulation in the house such as interactive toys and a good cat scratch post or tree. Don't forget to provide them with a cat litter tray in the house. Many think it unnecessary for an outdoor cat to have a litter tray, but when adverse weather keeps your feline indoors, they'll need somewhere to toilet.  Keep an eye on your pet's diet and food intake - If you do find yourselves stuck indoors more, you may want to keep an eye on your cat's or dog’s diet and make adjustments if needed. Less activity can easily lead to weight gain, so consider reducing portion size if you think it necessary.  Stock up on balms and nourishing products - Dogs, just like humans, can experience dry skin and hair in the colder months. Exposure to adverse weather and low temperatures can leave your dog with cracked skin and a dull coat. Stock up on some nourishing grooming products and help keep their skin and coat in tip-top conditions. Natural paw and nose balms will keep flaky skin at bay whilst there are a number of sensitive, nourishing shampoos that you could choose from to keep their coat looking shiny. Remember to brush them daily to distribute the natural oils in their coat, which will really help too. Jumpers for tiny dogs, dogs with fine hair and senior dogs - In winter, it’s all about keeping our little ones as warm and cosy as possible. Tiny dogs, those with short coats and older dogs sometimes need help to retain their body heat, even indoors. A dog jumper isn’t just a style choice, but can be a really practical option for those dogs who find it hard to keep warm on their own in the coldest months. You may want to layer a coat over the top if you take them outside. Groom with caution! - Don’t over groom dogs with thicker or longer hair to the point that your dog can’t keep warm. Whilst it’s really important to keep a good dog grooming regime going through winter, it’s also essential that you don’t rid them of their natural insulation. Keeping their coats brushed and tangle free is an absolute must to deter matts from developing. You may think that a good trim will help too, so that it doesn’t gather as much dirt, but try not to over trim as their winter coat is there to keep them warm. Prepare more than one bed around the house - There’s nothing cosier than an extra blanket in winter and our pets can benefit from them too! You may want to consider swapping out your dog’s or cat’s regular bed for a faux fur or sherpa option, or maybe consider adding a cosy blanket. It’s important to give your pets sleeping options; a couple of beds with varying layers or textures so that they can move if they start to get too hot or too cold. Prevent poisoning and protect the whole household - Antifreeze is widely used in winter, but it is crucial that you take care with it around animals. Make sure that any spills or dribbles are wiped clean and never leave the bottle where your dog or cat could get to it as it is seriously toxic to pets; even causing death in some cases. Make sure this and any other toxic products are kept locked away out of their reach and ensure you clean up after use. Check your car in the morning -  Cats that do venture out in the Winter may well find your warm car welcoming and find shelter in it. They can easily climb up into wheels to take shelter from cold, frost or snow, and could be severely injured or even killed if you start the car with them in it. When you go out to your car, bang the bonnet before you get in as a precaution. Check on your pets with joint pain - Just like us, pets with joint pain can often suffer more during cold weather. Check to see if their movements seem different to normal, it may be worth checking with your vet if they have any advice on joint supplements that may help keep them pain-free during this cold snap   Winter Dog Walking Tips Wrap up on dog walks - The most important thing when the weather becomes colder is to ensure that your dog is kept warm. This goes for indoors and outdoors. It’s important that dogs get some fresh air, especially if the bad weather is extended. You can’t keep them indoors forever! Keep walks short and ensure they have a suitable dog coat; one that fits well and suits the climate. Check for snow between their toes - Snow and ice is uncomfortably cold for humans and pets alike. Snow can turn to ice quite quickly in the coldest conditions which can get caught in your dog’s paws and cause pain and soreness. After a dog walk always check your pet’s paws and dry them down thoroughly to help keep the skin healthy. Beware of snow salt and grit - Another reason to check your dog’s paws is for snow salt, and grit used to deter frost on pavements and roads. This can be toxic to dogs and cause inflammation and soreness to paw pads. Always wipe down your dog’s paws immediately after a winter walk. If your dog is particularly sensitive then consider some snow booties to help protect them on walks. Be safe in low light - Winter brings with it shorter daylight hours. Even if the weather is fine, you may find that you end up walking in low light levels. Ensure you are visible with fluorescent colours and reflectors. We have a number of safety accessories that may be suitable in our walking accessories collection as well as a range of dog coats that have reflector panels. We particularly love the Orbiloc Dog Safety Light at this time of year as it can be attached to any of your accessories including your lead, collar or dog harness. Winter can seem like a long season, with short daylight hours and adverse weather, but you and your pets can still enjoy and make the most of it. Indoor games and activities can be really fun for you both and don't forget how pretty winter can be too. It won't be long before Spring makes an appearance and the landscape begins to bloom again. Until then, enjoy some cuddles on the sofa with your cats and dogs and try to stay happy and safe!

By Zac Girdlestone

Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much?

The art of napping is something dogs seem to have down to a tee! But you may be wondering why your dog sleeps so much? And is it normal? Rest assured it’s completely normal for dogs to sleep all the time and the reason behind it is adorable.   Why Does My Dog Sleep All The Time? Throughout the day dog’s brains have activity happening all day, this can become quite disorganised. When dogs sleep, they are reprocessing their memories from the day, in their sleep, they organise them and store the important memories and discard the rest. All that sleep also gives your dog’s body time to repair itself, plenty of sleep helps keep their immune system in check. Just like us, if a dog hasn’t had enough sleep, they’re more prone to illnesses and infections so their beauty sleep is crucial!   How Many Hours A Day Do Dogs Sleep For? It’s quite normal for a dog to spend around 50% of their day asleep, around 12-14 hours a day. On top of this they’re likely to spend another 30% of their day chilling, awake, and just hanging out – that’s 80% of their day not doing too much! How much your adult dog sleeps will be influenced by their size, large dogs need more sleep than small dogs – it takes way more energy for them to move their bodies around so they just need more sleep to recover! Puppies sleep even more than adult dogs, on average 18-20 hours a day. It’s so important for puppies to get so much rest as their bodies are growing so quickly, they need to use their energy on growing during downtime. Puppies have an on/off switch when it comes to sleep, which is why you’ll see them wired with the zoomies one second and then they crash out and burn the next – it’s hard work growing so much!   Do Dogs Dream? Experts believe that dogs do dream. Adult dogs have a sleep cycle with periods of REM sleep which is similar to humans. Their periods of REM last around 20 minutes and this is when they are having their doggy dreams. Signs of REM are whimpering, muted woofs, running and twitching in their sleep – so next time you see your dog’s paws twitching in their sleep you’ll know it’s because they’re dreaming away. Dogs spend around 25% of their sleeping time in REM sleep, the rest of the time is quiet sleep. In REM cycles your dog’s brain will be as busy and as active as when they are awake – on average a dog experiences around 23 sleep-wake cycles a night.   How Many Hours Do Dogs Sleep At Night? This will all depend on your routine but on average they will sleep for around 9 hours a night. Puppies will take time to adjust to your routine when they first get home but with crate training, they will quickly adjust and be able to sleep through.   Why Has My Dog Stopped Sleeping? Had the perfect sleep routine nailed and now it’s no longer working? There can be several reasons your dog may have stopped sleeping. We’ve listed a few of the common ones below but if you’re concerned, we always recommend speaking to your vet!   A change in routine - Has either your or your dog’s routine changed? Maybe they are on their own more in the day or their walks aren’t tiring them out as much as they used to. Your dog may just need a little time to adjust, try taking them on longer walks or stimulating them with enrichment activities to try to wear them. Pain - When dogs are in pain, they can often be restless and irritable, you’ll see this a lot with puppies when they are teething. If you are concerned that your dog may be in pain we recommend speaking to your vet! A change in diet - Some foods suit our pets more than others, if your dog has recently switched foods and is now struggling to sleep it may be because they’re struggling to digest their new food or they may just need a little time to get used to it. Underlying health conditions - Underlying health conditions may affect your dog's sleep pattern, if you’ve noticed a big prolonged change in their sleep routine it may be wise to consult your vet!  How To Get The Perfect Sleep Why not upgrade your dog’s sleeping arrangements to ensure their sound slumbers continue? Bedding is our specialty here at Lords and Labradors and we design and handcraft it all with your dog’s comfort in mind. Whether they prefer a crate set, high wall, or box bed – we’ve got them covered. We also have matching blankets for the ultimate comfy nap experience.

By Megan Willis

How To Clean Dog Bowls

Food hygiene is really important when it comes to the health and wellbeing of our pets. Making sure your dog’s and cat's food bowls are clean will ensure the food tastes fresh and also stop any build-up of bacteria which could cause health problems such as vomiting. In this blog post we take a look at how often you should wash your pet bowls and dishes as well as how to clean them. Read on for our top tips about keeping your pet feeding bowls clean.   How Often Should You Wash Dog Bowls? [product]Ideally, you should clean your dog’s bowls after each mealtime. It’s okay if you forget every once in a while, but we should really to do our best to keep on top of keeping them clean. Pet bowls can easily build up with germs which can lead to health problems for your dog or cat such as tummy upsets and vomiting. When your pet eats directly from their bowl, bacteria from your pet’s mouth is transferred to any leftovers which can then flourish in the bowl. The longer this is left the more germ ridden the bowl will become. One study actually found that pet bowls are one of the dirtiest things in most homes, coming 4th on a list of top germ-infested items in the home. To stop this happening, we need to ensure they’re cleaned regularly, and that your pet is eating from a clean bowl or dish.   What To Clean Dog Bowls With Your dog’s bowls should be cleaned with warm soapy water and a separate dish cloth or sponge to the one that is used for your other washing up. You should take care to lather and clean thoroughly and then rinse really well. Make sure all the soap has been rinsed fully before drying, ready to use again. It is essential that any food remnants or crumbs are scrubbed from the bowl as it is this food debris which is most likely to carry germs and bacteria.   Is It Safe To Wash Dog Bowls In The Dishwasher? Dog bowls are often safe to be washed in the dishwasher and there should be a mark saying so on the packaging of your particular bowl. Generally, it’s just plastic bowls that aren’t suitable as they could melt in the heat. [product]At Lords & Labradors we have a variety of dishwasher safe dog bowls that are really simple to keep clean. There is a whole range of melamine bowls by Tarhong which have the practicality and break-resistance of plastic, whilst being dishwasher friendly. They come in a fabulous range of designs too with something to suit every taste. [product]We also love the ceramic dog bowls by Scruffs which can be washed in the dishwasher. These bowls have been designed with your dogs in mind, they have versions for flat-faced dogs and long eared dogs. Why Wash Dog Bowls Separately? It’s important to wash your pet bowls separately from your own dishes, to stop any cross contamination. All kinds of bacteria can flourish in pet bowls including salmonella. If this bacteria is transferred on to any of your dishes or kitchen surfaces it can cause illness in humans as well as your pets. Ensuring that bowls are properly cleaned and that no food remnants remain on the dishes is imperative for the health of the whole household.

By Megan Willis

The Top 10 Puppy Essentials

You may be preparing for the all important ‘Gotcha Day’, the day celebrated by all dog parents as the day you brought your pup home. Taking your puppy home for the first time is exciting, especially if you have prepared for their arrival. Puppy shopping can be so much fun, but also overwhelming if you’re a new pet parent, or if you’ve not had a puppy for a few years. There will be some things you do need to buy for necessity and some things that are worth buying for your new pup. Here at Lords & Labradors we’ve put together the 10 puppy essentials you’ll need to get your new puppy settled.   Our Top 10 Items To Buy For Your New Puppy 1) What crate to buy? Firstly, if you’ve decided to crate train your puppy, you’ll need a crate that will see you through from puppyhood to adulthood. You’ll need a crate the appropriate size so you can fit a puppy bed at one end and a puppy training pad the other incase they need to toilet when left in their crate. It also gives your pup enough room to stretch, play and sleep if crated during the daytime. Depending on your training methods, you may want to place the crate somewhere the puppy can be near to you, but also not directly in a high traffic area of your home. Remember the crate is your puppy’s den, so discourage any children from climbing inside.   2) Where should my puppy sleep? We recommend a puppy bed that’s easy for your pup to get in and gives them enough support and comfort whilst they sleep. Our Cosy & Calm Puppy Box Beds have been carefully designed with your puppy in mind. The beds are super squishy and soft, and have the most comfortable sides for your pup to snuggle right into. If you have chosen to crate train your pup, our vet bed is really popular, as it’s cosy, comfortable, robust and relatively puppy proof - it’s easily washed and dried too. It can be used with or without our Cosy & Calm puppy box bed.   3) What will my new puppy eat? It’s recommended you initially use the same food that your puppy comes home with, in order to avoid any tummy upset during their first few days with you. Once your puppy has settled, you can gradually introduce a new food to their diet. It’s good to check the food guidelines of the food you choose to feed your pup, as often they’ll give you the correct guidelines on how to introduce the new food to your pup. Make sure you have a clean bowl for water and a clean bowl for food, you can opt for a slanted water bowl if you have a spaniel breed to reduce your dogs ears from getting soaked in their water.   4) Puppy Toilet Training Top of your list should be a reliable pack of puppy training pads, not only are they great for training your young pup, but they are invaluable when travelling (pop in the bottom of their carrier/crate to catch any travel sickness or accidental toilet trips). You can also use them to absorb muddy, wet paws after your pup has had a play in puddles!   5) How to settle my new puppy at night When settling your new puppy at night, our heart beat sheep will be your puppy's new best friend. The heart beat sheep features a beating heart inside that mimics the beat of Mum's heart. They're designed to offer comfort and calm to new puppies who may feel nervous in their new home; they help to stop separation anxiety too. Alongside the heart beat sheep, you could pop in a heat pad under your dogs bed/cushion to keep them warm and to mimic the feeling of having siblings/mum near. Both the heat and the heart beat sheep will provide comfort for your puppy, especially whilst they are settling in and adjusting overnight.     6) How to keep your new puppy entertained Toys will provide something to chew on for your pup, which you’ll find are essential if you want to avoid your puppy chewing on your furniture. Choose a variety of textures, styles and sizes to keep your puppy engaged and interested. You may want to keep a toy box so your pup can choose what they’d like to play with, or keep a few toys in rotation so your puppy doesn’t get bored with them. You can also buy toys you can fill with treats or their food. If you want/need to leave your puppy - remember to build this up slowly, and don’t leave your new puppy for a long period of time - you could try freezing a peanut butter filled KONG (remember to use doggy/puppy friendly peanut butter). Freezing the toy will take them longer to work through and will give some relief to their sore teething gums and teeth.     7) Does my new puppy need a collar? You may want to purchase your dogs collar before they arrive home with you, however it’s advised to purchase the correct size collar for your puppy, which you may have to wait until they’re here to measure them properly. It is a legal requirement to have a tag with your details on incase your puppy gets lost or strays away, but it’s advised not to add your puppy’s name to the tag.   8) How will I get my new puppy home? Collecting your puppy to take them home is really exciting, but it’s best to be prepared. Make sure you have a suitable carrier/crate to store them in safely for the journey. It’s important your dog is restrained as it is the law to keep your puppy properly restrained whilst driving. In your carrier, you may want to pop in a blanket that smells like home and a scent blanket that smells like their mum and litter mates. It’s also good to have some puppy training pads to hand incase of any car sickness or accidental toilet trips.     9) When to start training my new puppy? You can start with bonding and training your puppy almost straight away, get some high quality, puppy training treats (make sure to check the guidelines), and enjoy teaching them new tricks - you’ll be amazed at how quick they learn!   10) When do I start grooming my puppy? It’s recommend that even if your pup won’t require grooming at first, you should regularly brush them to get them used to being groomed and handled. Choose a simple, soft brush and/or comb for the first couple of months. There will be a time you will need to wash your puppy, make sure you’re not using human shampoo as this will upset your puppy's PH levels and may not be compatible with your puppy flea treatment. It’s best to invest in a puppy shampoo that you can use when and if you need to bathe your puppy. We have our own puppy grooming set in our Petplex collection called the 'Puppy Purifier' it has a shampoo and a cologne to help keep your puppy smelling fresh.

By Megan Willis