A good start,
a life together.

Can I have a dog if I work outside the home?

Plan for the time your dog will spend alone, including the journey to and from work.

Settling in and learning toilet routines may need more support than your usual schedule allows.

• Map the hours without company
• Ask how the dog has coped alone before
• Arrange cover for travel and holidays

If being alone causes marked distress, seek veterinary or qualified behaviour support rather than waiting for your dog to get used to it.

Is a puppy easier than an adult dog for a beginner?

A puppy is not automatically easier for a beginner. Match their care needs and habits to the time you can offer.

Puppies need help learning everyday routines. An adult may have a known history, but a new home still takes adjustment.

• List the care you can offer and the situations you find difficult
• Discuss the individual dog’s habits with the adoption team

They seemed quiet when we met. Will they be like that at home?

Being quiet at a first meeting does not mean they will always behave the same way at home.

A dog may be quiet because an unfamiliar place makes them nervous. Ask the adoption team how they usually behave alone and around people or other dogs.

• Ask about a typical day and favourite activities
• Note difficult situations and what has helped

What ongoing costs should I plan for?

Alongside food, allow for preventive care, vet visits, grooming and care while you are away.

A larger dog may eat more, and a coat that needs regular grooming adds another cost. You may also need paid care when your household is away.

• Ask local vets, groomers and care providers for prices
• Plan how to cover unexpected vet bills

How should I prepare my home before my dog arrives?

Prepare a safe area to explore and a quiet place to rest.

Remove accessible medicines, chemicals and wires, and begin where you can supervise.

• Check floors and low shelves for hazards
• Choose places for water, meals and sleep
• Check doors and windows for escape routes

Do I need to buy everything before my dog arrives?

Start with everyday essentials and safety; preferences can come later.

Prepare bowls, a comfortable bed, suitable travel and walking equipment, and cleaning supplies.

• Prepare for the first meal, rest and journey
• Choose correctly fitting walking equipment

I am not sure about their current food. Should I change it now?

Find out what they eat before deciding why and how to change it.

Keep the exact product, daily amount, meal routine and recent appetite and stool history. Continue any veterinary feeding instructions.

• Get the product name, amount and feeding instructions
• Check growth suitability for a puppy

I was told they were vaccinated, but there are no records. What now?

Ask for dated records and leave missing details unknown.

Missing paperwork does not establish that vaccination was completed or never given. Bring available records to your vet to plan next steps.

• Request treatment names and dates
• Ask about registration, ownership details and any changes needed

They cry on the first night. Should I leave them alone?

Stay nearby to help your dog settle on the first night, and check for discomfort or toilet needs.

You can start with a bed near you or stay nearby, increasing distance as your dog becomes comfortable.

• Plan a quiet sleeping place and overnight care
• Notice what helps your dog settle

Seek veterinary or behaviour support for suspected pain or persistent severe distress.

They will not eat after coming home. Do they dislike the food?

Notice how they approach food and when the change began before switching products.

A new environment may contribute, but illness or difficulty chewing and swallowing can also affect eating. Contact your vet promptly for reduced appetite, refusal or pain while eating.

• Note when appetite changed and what was eaten
• Describe chewing, swallowing and other changes to your vet

Do not set a waiting period yourself for a young puppy or a dog with an existing condition. Settling in should not delay care.

Why is a previously toilet-trained dog having accidents?

Consider a new routine as well as sudden changes in health.

Your dog may need to learn the toilet location in this home. Offer opportunities and reward success in the right place.

• Note timing and activities around accidents
• Offer more chances to reach the toilet area

A sudden or repeated change in a trained dog also warrants a veterinary check.

How can we start socialization before vaccinations are finished?

Start with comfortable exposure to sounds, people and objects at home. Discuss outdoor activities with your vet using your dog’s health, vaccination history and planned locations.

Socialization includes sounds, people and environments. It is broader than contact with unfamiliar dogs or potentially contaminated places.

• Discuss records and planned environments with your vet
• Plan short experiences at a comfortable distance

Health, vaccination history and local conditions affect suitable activities. There is no single outdoor start date for every dog.

Why are they gaining weight on the same amount of food?

Look at calories, treats and the whole day’s intake together.

A new food, more treats or less activity can change the picture even when the portion looks the same. Follow weight and body condition too.

• Check kcal/kg and weigh the actual portion
• Include treats and changes in weight

Seek veterinary advice about sudden weight or physical changes rather than only cutting the portion.

Do indoor dogs still need preventive care?

Yes. Indoor dogs can still be exposed to mosquitoes and need a prevention plan that accounts for walks and contact with other animals too.

For example, mosquitoes that transmit heartworm can enter homes. Tell your vet about walks, grooming, boarding and animal contact too.

• Gather vaccination and preventive-product records
• Discuss a plan for your dog’s lifestyle

They move less than before. Is it just age?

Describe the movement that changed and when it started.

Getting up, stairs and walks give your vet more useful detail than “slowing down”. Behaviour can change even without obvious cries of pain.

• Note specific movements and when they changed
• Bring eating and weight changes to the appointment

Do not postpone care to collect more records if walking suddenly becomes difficult or painful.

They eat well, but have bad breath. Can I leave it?

Eating normally does not tell you the whole story about teeth and gums.

Discuss bad breath, red gums, drooling or chewing changes with your vet. A surface view cannot show everything around a tooth.

• Describe changes in breath or chewing
• Ask about suitable home dental care

If the mouth seems painful or handling is difficult, seek care rather than forcing it open or brushing.