| City & Guilds Qualification At PamPurredPets we actively encourage our staff to be knowledgeable in all aspects of pet keeping. We have our own in - house training programme which all staff follow during their first six months with us. After completing this programme many progress on to the City & Guilds in Pet Management, which is a nationally recognised qualification. |
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| Suitability Dogs have been loyal friends and companions to humans since the Stone Age. They also offer added security and an opportunity for exercise. A puppy is a big responsibility and will demand a lot of time and financial support. A dog can reasonably be expected to live for up to fourteen years, so a puppy should certainly never be an impulse buy. It is advisable to see the puppy with its mother and littermates to see how it behaves and how it will look when it grows up. The puppy you choose should be bright and alert, bearing in mind that an extremely bold puppy may be harder to manage, especially in one of the more dominant breeds. The puppy’s breathing should be regular and unlaboured and the abdomen should neither be excessively thin or swollen as this could be a sign of illness. Check underneath the puppy that there are no signs of diarrhoea. The mouth should look healthy without any soreness inside. The nose should be clean and free of discharge and eyes should be bright and clear. Ears should smell fresh and look clean. Finally check the skin and coat for hair loss, sore areas or any signs of parasites such as fleas, lice or mange mites. Feeding Puppies should never be subjected to sudden diet changes so it is a good idea to continue with their existing diet. PamPurredPets sell a wide variety of complete foods from puppy right through to senior and our staff are always available to offer nutritional advice. Always ensure that your puppy has access to fresh water at all times. A puppy needs four small meals a day until approximately twelve weeks of age. The meals can then increase in size and be reduced in frequency, as an adult dog will eat once or twice a day. Training Training your puppy must begin straight away and must be based on positive encouragement rather than punishment for bad behaviour. Puppies have short attention spans so training sessions should be kept brief at first. They should also be fun so that your puppy enjoys the sessions. House training is important and a puppy should be taken outdoors frequently, especially after meals and play. Remember to reward and reinforce good behaviour. Many veterinary surgeries and training clubs run puppy classes that provide training and socialisation for your puppy. |
Dog Control Every dog must wear a collar and tag in public places containing the details of their owner, including the address. Failure to provide this information can incur a financial penalty. It is important to carry a poop scoop or bag at all times when walking your dog. Local authorities can now designate land so that dog walkers legally have to remove faeces immediately. It is the responsibility of the dog walker to know where theses areas are. Fines can be as much as £1000. Further details of these controls can be obtained from your local authority’s dog control office. Health & Hygiene PamPurredPets offer a large range of worming products including tablets and syrup. Regular worming for your puppy is important for its health and for the health of others, as dog faeces may contain toxocara larvae which can be a risk, especially to children. Your puppy should be treated for roundworms from the age of two weeks and some tapeworm treatments can also be given to puppies from that age. Adult dogs should be treated for roundworm and tapeworm every three months. Please see our ‘Guide to Worming’ leaflet. It is also quite usual for puppies to have some fleas. As well as treating your puppy you will also need to treat your home. Please see our ‘Guide to Flea Control’ leaflet. Your puppy should be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus. The first vaccination is usually given at nine weeks and the second at twelve weeks followed by yearly boosters. If your puppy develops repeated vomiting, passes blood, is lethargic, loses its appetite or suffers from unusual bowel movements your vet should be consulted immediately. Shopping List
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