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Dog insurance and new dog care
New Dog Checklist for the UK: The First Month
A simple checklist for the first month with a new puppy or rescue dog in the UK.
The first month sets the tone for life with your dog. Use this checklist to cover the essentials without feeling overwhelmed.
Before the dog comes home
- Buy a bed or crate, bowls, food, a collar or harness, a lead, toys and chews
- Dog-proof the house by moving cables, shoes and anything toxic out of reach
- Agree household rules, such as the sofa and who feeds the dog
In the first week
- Book a vet visit for a check-up, vaccinations and flea and worming treatment
- Check the microchip. Dogs must be chipped and your details registered and kept up to date
- Get an ID tag. In England and Wales a dog in a public place must wear a collar with the owner's name and address
- Set routines for meals, walks, toilet breaks and sleep
In the first month
- Start training, even five minutes a day, or book a trainer to get the basics right
- Introduce new people, places and sounds gradually
- Practise short, calm periods alone
- Decide on dog insurance, because earlier cover generally means fewer exclusions
In Northern Ireland
You will also need a dog licence.
Be patient
Rescue dogs in particular may need weeks to settle. Let your dog set the pace and ask for help early if something worries you. We can refer you to a professional dog trainer near you.
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