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

Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Signs and What Helps

Is it separation anxiety or boredom? How to tell, and the gradual approach that works.

14 October 2026 · 5 min read · By K9PN

Separation anxiety is genuine distress when a dog is left alone. It is not spite or stubbornness, and dogs with it cannot simply learn to cope by being left to get on with it.

Signs to look for

Barking, howling or whining soon after you leave
Destructive chewing, especially near doors and windows
Toileting indoors despite being house trained
Drooling, panting or pacing, and following you from room to room
Not eating when left alone

Anxiety or boredom?

Bored dogs usually settle and cause damage more randomly. Anxious dogs are upset from the moment you leave and often fine when someone is home. A camera or pet monitor can show you what happens after you go.

What helps

Rule out health causes with your vet, who can also advise on medication where it is appropriate.
Train in tiny steps. Start with absences so short that your dog stays relaxed, and build up slowly.
Keep leaving and returning low-key.
Provide exercise and enrichment before you go, but do not expect it to cure the problem.
Avoid punishment. It adds fear to an already frightened dog.

Get help early

Progress depends on staying below your dog's threshold, which is hard to judge alone. A trainer or behaviourist experienced with separation anxiety can build a plan around your work pattern. See our page on separation anxiety help in London, or send a request and we will refer you to a trainer.