What to expect- day one

Day one is a big day, not only for you. It's the biggest day of your puppy's life. If you get them at the earliest opportunity they will be 8 weeks old. They won't have been away from their mum before, they will have only left their home to go to the vets for their initial vaccinations and micro chipping. Now the world is suddenly so much bigger and all the people they knew have been replaced with new people. For the first time they are away from their siblings which have been their biggest support.

It's a scary day so we have to be aware they will cry, bark and go looking for their original family. Don't be disheartened or try to correct them too severely this early. It's completely normal behaviour for a baby and if we put ourselves in their shoes it's understandable.

Try to reassure them from a distance and sit on the floor if you are comfortable and able. Don't make efforts to approach them, just let them come to you in their own time. It's important they have access to their crate to retreat if they need to. You may have a very confident puppy, but the important thing is to take things at their pace, not yours.

We recommend that any time they aren't shut in their crate they have a house line attached to their collar. This will keep them out of trouble without having to move them manually. This makes it more of a redirect because you will say your command and then direct them with the house line, then as always we reward.

Top tip - when you get home, stay outside until they go to the toilet. When they go. give them a big reward so they know it's a good place to go.