BEFOREChoose carefully and gather the paperwork
Buy directly from the breeder or adopt through a reputable rehoming organisation. Meet the puppy with its mother in the place it was raised, do not collect before eight weeks, and ask for vaccination, worming, health and microchip records. Never let a seller rush the decision or arrange a handover elsewhere.
Ask which food, feeding times and toilet routine the puppy already knows. Keeping those familiar for the first few days can make the move gentler.Read the government buying guidance ↗DAY 1Make the first 48 hours quiet and predictable
Prepare one safe sleeping area, remove cables, medicines, cleaning products and chewable hazards, and keep introductions calm. Take the puppy to the same toilet spot after waking, eating, drinking, playing and before bed, then reward success immediately.
Accidents are normal. Clean them without punishment and look for the pattern. A very young puppy needs frequent toilet opportunities, including during the night.WEEK 1Register with a vet and agree the health plan
Arrange an early check with a Northumberland veterinary practice. Take every record you received and ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment, diet, insurance, dental care and when your individual puppy can safely walk outside and meet unfamiliar dogs.
Vaccine products and schedules vary. Follow your own vet’s dates rather than a timetable copied from another puppy or found on social media.Find Northumberland vets →LEGALTransfer the microchip and order an identity tag
Dogs must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. As the new keeper, make sure the database details are transferred and remain current. In public, a dog must still wear a collar and tag showing the owner’s name and address, even though it is microchipped.
Keep the microchip number and database name somewhere easy to find. Add a telephone number to the tag as a practical extra, but the puppy’s own name is not legally required.Check the current microchip rules ↗8–12 WKSSocialise safely before outdoor walks begin
The early socialisation period matters, but socialisation means calm, positive exposure—not meeting everyone. At home, introduce household sounds, different surfaces, gentle handling, the car and trusted visitors. Carry the puppy outdoors where appropriate, while avoiding unsafe contact until your vet confirms protection.
Let the puppy observe at a comfortable distance. If they hide, freeze, avoid food or try to escape, reduce the intensity rather than forcing the experience.Read PDSA’s socialisation advice ↗DAILYTeach with rewards and very short sessions
Start with their name, coming when called indoors, exchanging objects, settling on a mat and feeling comfortable with a collar or harness. Reward the behaviour you want with food, play or praise. Puppy biting, chewing and short bursts of excitement are normal; redirect to a suitable toy and allow plenty of sleep.
Several one-minute practices usually work better than one long lesson. Avoid fear, pain, shouting and punishment-based equipment.Compare local reward-based trainers →WALKSKeep the first walks short and puppy-led
Once your vet confirms it is safe, begin in a quiet place with a comfortable lead setup. Prioritise sniffing, confidence and returning home before the puppy becomes overwhelmed. Avoid forced long walks, repetitive running, jumping from heights and busy dog gatherings while joints and confidence are developing.
There is no single exercise formula for every breed and puppy. Ask your vet what suits your puppy’s age, size, health and development.Find quieter local walk options →CAREPractise grooming before it becomes urgent
Pair tiny handling sessions with rewards: briefly touch paws, ears, mouth and tail, introduce a brush, and practise standing on a non-slip surface. Coat care differs enormously by breed, so ask a suitable groomer when professional appointments should begin.
Ask a local groomer about calm puppy introductions, coat care and vaccination requirements before booking.Browse Northumberland groomers →ALONEBuild alone time in seconds, not hours
Begin while the puppy is calm and all needs are met. Step away briefly, return before distress escalates and increase gradually. Avoid suddenly leaving a newly arrived puppy for a working day; organise trusted help in advance if your routine requires it.
Day care is not automatically suitable for every young puppy. Ask about age, vaccination, assessment, rest, group size and supervision before booking.Explore local puppy services →HELPKnow when to telephone the vet
Young puppies can deteriorate quickly. Contact a vet promptly for repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, marked lethargy, breathing difficulty, collapse, a swollen abdomen, suspected poisoning, inability to keep water down, significant injury or anything that feels seriously wrong. Do not give human medicines unless a vet specifically instructs you.
For urgent help, call your usual practice first and follow its current out-of-hours instructions. Telephone before travelling.Use the RCVS practice finder ↗ 