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How old is your dog?

Pre-Puppy
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Pre-Puppy

What’s better than puppies? That’s right: your own puppy. So, what do you need to know before you take the plunge into pet parenthood?

0-2 months
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0-2 months

Welcome to the world little one. It’s all grow-grow-grow for your puppy right now, so there’s many things to prepare.

2-3 months
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2-3 months

Your puppy is ready to come home and turn your world upside down. It’s time to put your preparation into practice – and remember to take it all in!

3-6 months
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3-6 months

You’re entering a period of immense growth, lots of learning and new adventures. Bring on the play date with the big wide world!

6-12 months
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6-12 months

Your fur-baby is nearing adulthood. Can you see their grown self coming through? Sigh…they grow up so fast, don’t they?

12-18 months
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12-18 months

Your puppy has turned one and they might not be so little anymore. Make sure to book their first annual check-up.

18 months - 3 years
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18 months - 3 years

Your dog is one an established family member now. Enjoy who they have become and the bond you now share at this special stage.

3 - 8 years
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3 - 8 years

Your dog is a full-grown adult now. They understand where their place is in your home and the wider world.

8+ years
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8+ years

Just like many senior citizens, senior dogs have some extra needs. Learn to look after your best friend and support their health as they grow older.

Toilet Training your Puppy

Dr Jess Beer - Pet Behaviourist profile picture

Dr Jess Beer - Pet Behaviourist

BVSc MANZCVS

Dr Jess is a fully qualified Veterinarian with more than 17 years of experience in companion animal clinical practice. She has worked in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, as well as donating her time to charities in India, Greece, Portugal, Thailand, Panama, Mexico, Romania, Rarotonga and Gibraltar.

Toilet Training your Puppy

Toilet Training your Puppy

Have you ever been to a house where a dog wasn’t toilet trained properly?

Don’t let that be your house!

Follow our 3 easy steps for puppy toilet training success in this quick two-minute video. Remember, your puppy has a tiny bladder so it’s your job to help them learn where they can go. Toilet training while young will save you a lifetime of replacing rugs and cleaning up after them indoors.

 

Some tips on toilet training your puppy

Step 1: As soon as your get home, or your puppy wakes up, pick them straight up and head outside. (Try not to let them walk along side you as they might want to wee along the way).

Step 2: As they go, happily say the word 'toilet'. (Imagine yourself saying this to them at the end of the night when it's bedtime, use that voice).

Step 3: Once your puppy is finished, reward them with a treat saying something like “good puppy, toilet”.

Remember: if you see your puppy head outside on their own to use the toilet, reward them just like you would have if you had taken them yourself. Rewarding their initiative helps them understand that they have got the right idea. Focus on the positive experiences and not the negative. If your puppy goes in the wrong place, just keep in mind how regular they are going so you are prepared for the next time. With their tiny bladders and growing brains, your puppy doesn’t always know that the time to go is coming (just like human babies).

This is also why it's harder for puppies to know when they need to go, because the need to go to the toilet can come on quite quickly.

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