Where is the safest place to buy a puppy in the UK?

From a responsible breeder who lets you meet the puppy with its mother, shows health tests and gives you a written contract, or from a rescue. Lucy’s Law bans third-party sales of puppies under six months in England.

What is Lucy’s Law?

In England, it requires anyone buying a puppy or kitten under six months to deal directly with the breeder or a rescue centre, not a third-party dealer.

How much does a dog cost in the UK?

PDSA estimates the basic minimum cost at about £69 to £116 a month depending on size, before the purchase price and vet bills. See our cost guide.

How can I tell if a puppy advert is a scam?

Warning signs include a low price for a popular breed, refusing to let you see the puppy with its mother, and pressure to pay a deposit. Never pay for a puppy you have not seen.

Should I buy or adopt?

Neither is always better. Adoption can save a life and costs less. A good breeder gives predictability and health-tested parents. See breeder or rescue.

Does K9PN sell or train protection dogs?

No. K9PN is a referral service and does not breed, sell or train dogs. We pass your request to a professional who covers your area, if we can match you. It costs nothing to send a request. We are still building our UK network.

Dog training

Puppy Training in the UK: What to Do in the First Year

What to focus on in the first weeks, the first few months and the awkward adolescent stage.

14 October 2026 · 6 min read · By K9PN

A puppy learns quickly, which means habits form quickly, good and bad. Plan your first year around a few priorities and you avoid most of the problems that owners later pay trainers to fix.

Before and just after you collect your puppy

Your puppy must be microchipped, and your details registered, by the time it is eight weeks old. The breeder normally does this, so check the paperwork.
Ask the breeder about vaccinations, worming and the food your puppy is used to.
Book a vet check in the first few days.

The first weeks

Routine. Regular meals, sleep, toilet breaks and play make everything easier.
House training. Take your puppy out after waking, eating and playing, and reward in the right spot. Expect accidents.
Settling alone. Teach your puppy that quiet time is normal, starting in short stretches.
Gentle handling of paws, ears and mouth for vet and grooming visits.

Socialisation (roughly the first three to four months)

Puppies are most open to new things at this age. Introduce people, surfaces, traffic sounds and calm, friendly dogs at a pace your puppy can handle. Ask your vet which places are safe before vaccinations are complete.

Three to six months

Teach sit, down, wait and walking nicely on the lead using rewards. Manage teething with suitable chews, and teach your puppy to come when called. A well-run puppy class is a good place to practise around distractions.

Six to twelve months

Many puppies seem to forget everything in adolescence. They have not; they are testing boundaries. Stay consistent, keep up exercise and mental work, and keep practising recall in safe, enclosed areas.

For help, see our local pages such as puppy training in London and puppy training in Manchester.