Bringing your puppy home

Bring a blanket from the litter, a towel and puppy pads. Travel with the puppy secured — a crate or a harness and seatbelt — and stop if the journey is long. Avoid a car full of excited visitors.

Expect some crying; it is normal. Put the crate beside your bed or within earshot, keep the room warm, and offer reassurance without turning it into a party. Most puppies settle within a few nights.

Introduce children and other pets calmly and one at a time. Give existing dogs space to retreat, and supervise every interaction for the first weeks.

Take your puppy outside every hour or so, and always after waking, eating and playing. Praise quietly when they go. Never punish an accident — it only teaches a puppy to hide.

No question is too small. Most of the families we place puppies with are in touch for years, and we would far rather answer a question early than hear about a problem later.