Experts reveal the most Googled questions, and their answers, about puppies

Original article on stamfordmercury.co.uk

Some people may be a week into dog ownership after being gifted man's best friend over the festive holiday, and although they can be cute and playful, puppies aren't just for Christmas, they're for life.

To help you get along with your new furry friend, money.co.uk has provided expert guidance and tips after analyzing the most Googled questions from new pet owners.

How to stop a puppy from biting? – 176,100 annual searches

To help train your puppy to stop biting, you can ignore them or walk away as the more you respond (even by telling them off) the more they'll think it's a game.

When they do back off, reward them.

How to toilet train a puppy? – 67,400 annual searches

Agree on a command within your household so that your puppy associates the command term with going to the toilet and try to take them to the same place every time.

Adding newspapers they’ve already soiled to their toilet area can also help navigate them to their next toilet break adventure.

When can puppies go outside? - 63,000 annual searches

Many vets recommend not taking your puppy to public places, such as dog parks, until two weeks after your puppy has had their second vaccination.

If you’re unsure of timings, speak with your vet.

When do puppies open their eyes? - 59,200 annual searches

Puppies are born with their eyes closed and gradually open their eyes between 10 and 14 days old.

How to train a puppy? - 55,400 annual searches

Training a puppy has never been easier with the vast amount of information on the internet.

You can browse YouTube videos or buy a puppy training book for specific training.

Likewise, check your local area for any puppy training classes as this will also encourage the dog to socialize.

Salman Haqqi, pet insurance expert at money.co.uk, has also provided his top tips on bringing puppies home.

He said: “The sheer number of average online searches every year indicates that we want what’s best for our furry friends, as well as ensuring an easier transition into their new home.

“Many people forget the importance of taking the correct precautions, especially with older dogs and younger children at home, so it’s best to introduce everybody slowly and in a safe manner."

How to introduce puppies into the home and getting familiar with older dogs

Ensure both dogs are up-to-date with their vaccinations as younger puppies are more susceptible to infections.

To reduce territorial aggression, permit your older dog and puppy to meet in a neutral place and allow them to sniff each other.

Keep the first introduction brief

Once your puppy has arrived, separate both dogs’ food bowls and beds and buy the new puppy their own chew toys which will minimize the chance of possessive aggression from your older dog.

Follow your older dog’s routines and start establishing one for your puppy as well, while monitoring both dogs carefully.

How to introduce puppies to babies and children

Similar to introducing puppies to older dogs, monitor them very carefully and allow short meets at first.

Give your puppy treats when they act in a calm manner near the child.

This includes when feeding babies and children so the puppy associates this time positively.

Once your child starts moving about, make sure they understand the pet’s boundaries, such as not going near them when they are eating or understanding what a growl means.

Never leave a puppy alone with a baby or child at any point, no matter how good their relationship is with each other.