Nurture and training: Become a dream team

Sharp, little puppy teeth can take apart almost anything. Therefore ensure that toys have no small parts where possible which your pet could swallow. Instead, use larger-sized rubber balls or braided ropes made from natural materials. Newspaper or toilet roll tubes are also suitable for hidden object games.

In the first few weeks of its life, it is recommended that the number of minutes spent walking your dog corresponds with its age in weeks. Therefore, a 10-week old puppy should not be taken for walks lasting longer than 10 minutes. This way, you are not making excessive demands on your pet either physically or mentally, because the puppy also has to process the many new environmental stimuli at its own pace.

If a long trip is planned, it is advisable to practise several short trips beforehand. If you want to use a pet carrier, you should set this up in the living area a few days before you are planning to leave so that your puppy can familiarise itself with it. Important: Don’t give your puppy any lavish meals prior to setting off as these are often regurgitated.

There is very little you can do to prepare the puppy itself. However, check beforehand which rooms can be kept cooler to provide your pet with somewhere to retreat to. During periods of hot weather, in addition to fresh drinking water, you should also provide a dog ice cream or a dog pool to help your dog to cool down.

Consistent training can protect your puppy from putting unfamiliar objects into its mouth. Apart from this, a small meal beforehand can satisfy its hunger and a toy which can be carried easily in its mouth whilst on a walk can distract it. If nothing else helps, you can also use a muzzle or a feeding guard.

Particularly during the second dentition it is common for small dogs to put objects of differing suitability in their mouths. The only things that can help are consistent training and alternatives such as keeping them occupied, dog chews, dog rope or special types of wood.