Now you have your new companion with you at home there are some important and critical matters to consider. The road ahead is going to be a long and painful, sometimes messy, but a loving and rewarding one. The three things that a dog needs to make it well balanced are discipline, affection and exercise.

The first time you see your pup take a toy or item of clothing with you and leave it with the dog, this allows the pup to become familiar with your smell, it will make the dog more confident when you return to collect it to take it home, it will also gather the comforting smell of the pup's mother and litter. It can be a very traumatic experience for a puppy leaving its mother to join a new household. So the key is to make the first few days as trauma-free as possible. Allow the puppy to settle into its new environment in its own time. On the arrival of its new home allow the puppy to do its toileting. If the dog is successful reward it with a 'Good dog' the key is to connect good behaviour with a reward. When your puppy makes a mistake, a firm 'No!' is all it needs.

Next, allow the dog to explore to environment that it is free to roam in. Show the dog signs of affection by using gentle voice tones and calm body language. Create the pup's bed somewhere warm and free of drafts. Try tucking a hot water bottle under a pillow and placing a ticking clock wrapped in a towel in the pup's bed. The warmth and gentle ticking of the clock will comfort the puppy by reminding it of snuggling with its mother.

The pup should feed three times a day, morning afternoon and evening.One of the most important things you can do for your new puppy is to provide it with good nutrition. As young puppies grow, they need vitamins and protein to make their bones, muscles and joints strong. To be sure you choose the right puppy food for your dog you should take a close look at the ingredients. Don't just go by the slogans and adjectives on the front of the food bag. Look for food that is high in protein. Puppies use a lot of fuel just to grow. At 8-10 weeks the puppy will be ready for its first inoculation, some vets vary on when they will administer the first jab, so contact your local vet for help and advice. Finally, it is important not to over exercise your pup, as it could cause the dog problems such as arthritis later on in life, you will find the dog will give themselves plenty of exercise by playing.

Try to spend as much time as you can with your pup as the bonds that form now will grow stronger going into adulthood, at this stage you will have a pet, companion and a friend.