What your pets want you to know

The Irish Wolfhound was once a formidable hunter, but now they’re more at home on your sofa. They’re big dogs with big hearts. (And you’ll need a similarly large home for them!)

Although we humans might wonder why dogs roll in fox poop, to them it’s pretty natural. No one knows exactly why dogs do it, but the theory is that it’s an old instinct to cover their smell, a form of communication, or they just like doing it. As for how to stop it, read on for tips!

Cavapoos are the smaller cousin of the Cockapoo. This popular crossbreed is part Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle. Being a crossbreed, their size and temperament can vary, but they’re generally small, smart, loveable dogs.

Barking is natural for puppies and dogs, and an important way of communicating. However, excessive barking can be frustrating for you and other dogs. Whatever your pup is barking at, or why they’re barking, you’ll need to work on teaching them when you expect them to be quiet. Positive reinforcement for calm behaviour will help, and redirection with a cue when they do bark can also help.

Puppies have two sets of teeth. Temporary baby teeth, and permanent adult teeth. They start to lose their baby teeth at about four months old, and should have all their adult teeth by the time they're six months old. For more on what to expect during puppy teething, and how to make your pup more comfortable, read on!

Smart, strong, and super loyal. The German Shepherd is well known for its work in the army and the police, but they also make amazing pets for active people!

Poo eating is a gross but surprisingly common habit puppies can pick up. Usually, it's caused by hunger, boredom, stress, or it's a habit they've learned. (It's very rare to be caused by illness!) 

You can train a puppy not to eat their poo by using redirection and positive reinforcement, so they learn to ignore their poop. 

Having a puppy can feel like having a baby, especially with the broken sleep. However, it's normal for a puppy to cry a bit when you bring them home. They've had a lot of change! You can and should comfort them, but do it calmly and quietly. Here's 7 tips to help stop puppy crying in the night. 

Even once your puppy is settled in, you can still expect to get up through the night as you'll need to take them outside regularly as part of their toilet training.

What age puppies stop growing varies depending on the size of their breed. Your pup can stop growing anywhere between 6 to 18 months.Typically, smaller dogs will stop growing much sooner than large and giant breeds of dog. Female dogs also tend to reach their adult size a little earlier, since they’re usually smaller than male dogs. To see when your puppy might stop growing, read the article below and check out their breed size for a more accurate guideline.

Biting is a normal behaviour for puppies, but frustrating to deal with. (Those teeth are sharp!) You can train your puppy not to bite using redirection and positive reinforcement. Whenever your puppy tries to nip or chew you or your clothes, redirect them to a toy. Praise them whenever they chew the toy. It’ll teach them what they're meant to chew, and they'll learn to choose their toys when they want to gnaw something.

Most of us can’t wait to take our pup’s out for their first walk. But, it’s important to protect your pup’s health while their immune system is developing. So carry them around outside, and wait until after vaccinations to go for walkies.

Ben the Vet (Yep, the one on TikTok!) shares advice on how far you should walk a puppy, and why it’s important to moderate your pup’s exercise.

Thank you all for sending in your questions! 💙

Thank you all for sending in your burning questions! 💙

One Napo member asked, “Why does my mini dachshund jump towards me barking?” Our in-house clinical animal behaviourist, Rachel Rodgers, has answered this question with a full-length article. 🤓

Her top tip? Ignore the jumping, and reward your pup every time they're calm and mouth on appropriate toys, instead of your hands.

Crate training isn't essential, but it can be incredibly useful for you and your pup. It can give you the ability to leave your puppy alone where they can be kept out of trouble. It can also prepare them for periods of confinement whether it's a care ride, kennels or the vets, or crate rest after surgery.

Veterinary behaviourist Dr Sophie White explains how to crate train a puppy, and answers some frequently asked questions about the topic.

Training a puppy is a challenge, but consistency is key. Clinical animal behaviourist Antonella Marsicano shares her top tips for training a puppy.

These include building a routine, using lots of treats, toys, and praise to reward good behaviour, preventing problems is better than trying to solve problems and always ask for help if you need it, the sooner the better!

Puppies have sensitive stomachs, and so diarrhoea can be common. Reasons for puppy diarrhoea include change in diet, stress, overeating, or infection. It is important to speak to a vet if your puppy's diarrhoea lasts more than one or two days. If your puppy has diarrhoea and vomiting together, or there is blood in their poop, you should call your vet right away. 

To help prevent puppy diarrhoea, feed a balanced and age-appropriate diet, and avoid introducing new foods too quickly.

Many accident claims are puppies under 6 months old. So we've asked Louisa the vet what the most common puppy accidents are and how to avoid them so you can keep your pup happy and healthy.

The most common accidents involve eating things they shouldn't, broken bones, skin and paw injuries, and training and behaviour issues.

It’s not unusual for puppies to be picky eaters. Too many treats, switching puppy food, a change in routine, separation related anxiety, stress, and environmental changes can all cause loss of appetite. Some signs may be a hint it’s time to see a vet. Napo explains how long puppies may go off their food and when it’s time to seek expert help.

There are many reasons puppies may be off their food. Go easy on the treats, and if they start losing weight or develop other symptoms, seek vet advice.

There's more to remember than just your puppy's food, bowls, bed, and toys.

Remember to get your puppy grooming equipment, as well as flea and worming treatment. You also need something to keep them safe in the car, like a dog crate.

Remember to register your puppy with a vet, and don't forget to get pet insurance to help pay for vet bills.

Napo puppy insurance comes with free 24/7 vet video calls and access to Puppy Academy, helping you to raise a happy, healthy pup.

The Sphynx Cat, also known as the Canadian Sphynx, is a friendly and furless feline. However, their hairless appearance can create some unique care needs.

Many cases of diarrhoea in dogs are mild and will get better at home within a few hours. But, diarrhoea can be a symptom of another illness so it’s important to check with your vet. If your dog or puppy shows other symptoms like vomiting, bloody poo, or general illness you must take your pup for a check-up.

From creating a den, to calming dog collars, we run through 12 things to do when your dog is scared that can help to keep them calm. 

Remember to contact your vet for advice if you're ever worried about your pup's behaviour. They can put you in touch with an animal behaviourist who can help you use counterconditioning to help your dog to overcome their fear.

A great gundog that’s now a popular pet. It’s hard to resist the cute Cocker Spaniel!

Acorns are dangerous to dogs if they eat them. 

Keeping your dog on a lead or under supervision means they are less likely to eat things they shouldn’t, including acorns.

If your dog eats an acorn, move them away so they can’t eat any more and contact your vet for advice.

1 in 2 dogs are now overweight or obese. However, some breeds are more at risk of piling on the pounds than others. 

To coincide with pet obesity awareness day, we are going to explain why some dogs are more at risk. These breeds include Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Pugs, Beagles, Basset Hounds, and Dachshunds. 

Do dogs get the blues? We might never know for sure, since dogs can’t tell us how they feel. But understanding their body language and behaviour suggests they can suffer from low mood.

If your dog seems down in the dumps, make sure they’re getting enough exercise and enrichment. Often boredom manifests as behavioural issues, including anxiety or depression. If you’re ever concerned about your dog’s behaviour, talk to your vet.