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Our Puppy Guide

Bailey The Dog Sniffing

Congratulations from everyone here at Barking Heads on your fluffy bundle of joy!

We know that puppies bring new owners lots of love and laughter but they also generate a lot of questions – so to lend a helping paw our dog-mad team have pulled together some of our top tips to help settle in your new pack member!

Dog with bag of food and cartoon dog

Puppy Proofing Inside

Pups will chew anything they can get their paws on. So grab those dangling wires and cables and tuck away anything that could be swallowed out of the reach of those little puppy teeth. Puppies love to investigate…but cleaning materials and cosmetics can be very dangerous so should be kept well away from inquisitive pups. Try placing up high or storing in cupboards with child-proof latches.

 

Excitable pups might upset other furry residents in your home. To avoid any serious rough and tumble introduce your new pack member to other cats and dogs slowly and with multiple adults present.

 

The Barking Heads team work with top nutritionists to make sure your puppy’s dinner is tasty and packed to bursting with the right vitamins and minerals. But be extra careful about preparing your dinners around a mischievous puppy who might snaffle some morsels as some everyday human foods are highly toxic to puppies and adult dogs.

Puppy Proofing Outside

Many garden plants like daffodils, begonias and amaryliis can be poisonous to dogs, so make sure you do your research.
 
Be mindful of a puppy’s soft paws – sharp tools like forks and rakes can be dangerous to a small features. Make sure they are safely locked away in the shed.
 
Most pups will be good swimmers in time, but it’s best to fence off ponds or pools until they get their water wings...
 
Puppies are amazing escape artists, they can wiggle their little bottoms through small holes and cracks. So check for digging spots under fence panels, and gaps behind sheds to make sure your dogs play area is properly secure.

Dog with bag of food and cartoon dog

Remember, you should always keep a beady eye on your pup whilst he's freely roaming, even in your home... he's still learning, so needs you to help watch out for hazards.

The Super-Important Basics

Worming

Puppies should have been wormed more than once by a breeder. But it’s always best to keep an eye out for the tell-tale signs - loose stools, a swollen/pot belly, poor quality coat or you might even see some of the wrigglers on your poor pups poops or bottom. Speak to your vet f you have any worries.

Vaccinations

Different puppies will need different jabs - so chat to your vet to make sure your little one gets what they need. As much as you want to show off your adorable little one, try to not have too many visitors, and you will need to limit exercise to your garden until the course is complete.

Teething

Puppies milk teeth are replaced by a more adult set around 12-20 weeks. The new teeth pushing through can be uncomfortable, so pups will chew everything in reach to help relieve the discomfort. You may want to try to save your TV remotes, and table legs by investing in some special teething toys.

Fleas

A lot of over-the-counter products are not suitable for youngsters, so ask your breeder if your pup had his first worming treatment, and then chat to your vet. If you catch your puppy scratching or chewing himself, run a brush through his coat and onto damp tissue - black specs that have red spreading from them indicate fleas.

Ticks

Like fleas, ticks like to use your puppy for a quick snack. Round, grey and the size of a pea, they are often found around the face, chest and legs, but will attach wherever they can get a good grip. Pulling off a tick incorrectly could lead to infection, so it is best to invest in a special tick remover.

Socialising

As soon as your puppy has completed his vaccinations its important that he starts making friends. Let your puppy meet different people and animals, and build his confidence and awareness of the exciting world gradually.

Getting the best our of your buddy

We asked our good friend and expert dog trainer Dogtor Adem for his top tail-wagging tips for puppy training:
 
“Training your puppy can be a rewarding experience for both you and them. If approached right, you can start to develop a real understanding of each other and build a bond that will last a lifetime!
 
Remember to carry out your training in several short sessions throughout your day. Repetition of the commands you are teaching is crucial for your puppy to learn your language and what you are asking of them when you say a certain word or phrase. Remember also to say the command, for example ‘sit’, only when your puppy is carrying out the desired action, not before! This will help them to associate the word with the action they are performing at that time.
 
You’ll also need some tasty treats, firstly to help you guide and tempt your puppy into the position or action you require, and secondly to positively reward them as they achieve this. My top tip here is to make your training fun, progressive, and to teach commands that will be useful to your everyday life. Check out and to teach commands that will be useful to your everyday life. Check out Barking Heads treats as these are great for positively rewarding your pup for their excellent behaviour!”

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Dog with bag of food and cartoon dog

Growing up Big and Strong

A puppy’s first year is so important for healthy bodies and agile brains with all those new things to experience, learn and enjoy. With lots of growing to do, what should you look for in you pup to get a sense of what is going on inside?

Cartoon Dog Bowing Down

Muscle Tone

Different puppy breeds will develop different muscle tone as they grow – but this can give you a clue as to how digestible the protein in their diet is as well as the amount of exercise they enjoy.

Bailey the Cartoon puppy standing up

Weight

Your vet should be able to advise you of the ideal weight for your dog’s breed, so keep an eye changes so your puppy grows steadily.

Bailey the Cartoon puppy standing up

Healthy Skin & Coat

Healthy skin helps keep your pup at just the right temperature, and should be supple and smooth without any lumps, bumps or discolouration. A healthy coat should be clean smelling, and glossy without lots of dandruff or oil.

Poo

Yes, do look at your dogs poop! It is a great indicator of how good your dog’s diet is – your dog should be passing poops that are firm, brown and sausage shaped. If your puppy is unhappy, passing lots of diarrhoea or has blood in their poo then you should urgently contact your vet.

Barking Heads knows diet plays a big role in keeping a dog happy

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Eating Well

At Barking Heads we’re passionate about doggie diets, and have lovingly created special puppy food especially to support all the growth your puppy need to do in it’s first year. So what should you look out for when selecting food for your pup?

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are important to maintain steady energy levels in a growing puppy. Puppy Days uses carbohydrates such as sweet potato to provide a good source of fibre, to keep your puppy’s digestion moving well. And for those pups with more sensitive tums Puppy Days wet pouches are 100% grain free.

Oils & Fats

Healthy fats and oils are super helpful in maintaining healthy skin and a shiny coat. Puppy Days contain salmon oil and egg, both excellent sources of Omega 3 & 6 to keep your young doggie’s coat soft and shiny.

Protein

Quality protein should be the most important part of a puppy’s diet – it gives them fuel to grow, develop healthy muscles and a strong immune system, perfect for lots of adventuring. Look for a puppy food like Barking Heads Puppy Days packed with lots of fresh chicken or fish.

Hip & Joint Care

There’s a lot of growing to be done in that first year! Barking Heads Puppy Days contains some additional minerals to maintain strong hips and joints.

Vitamins & Minerals

We never use any artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives – they just don’t sound tasty. Instead we use only natural vitamins that keep your dog’s dinners fresh and will also help to encourage a strong immune system.

Barking Heads Blog

The Bowl Half Full – How much dog food gets wasted in the UK?

The Bowl Half Full – How much dog food gets wasted in the UK?

In this report, we’re looking at what dog food waste really looks like, why it happens, and, most importantly, how you can tackle it at home. To give you the best advice, we’ve teamed up with our two top pet pros, Adem Fehmi and Dr Scott.

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Puppy, Adult and Senior Nutrition 101: What your dog needs for each life stage

Puppy, Adult and Senior Nutrition 101: What your dog needs for each life stage

Discover expert advice on what to feed your dog from puppyhood to old age. Learn about the best dog food for each life stage, senior diets, and how to meet your dog’s changing nutritional needs.

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The Benefits of Dog Meditation For You and Your Pooch

The Benefits of Dog Meditation For You and Your Pooch

Why meditate with your dog? Let’s face it - modern life can be ruff sometimes. We know our dogs bring us endless joy, but taking just a few minutes each day to be still with your dog can also do wonders for your mental wellbeing. Studies show that meditating with your dog can lower stress levels, improve focus, and deepen your bond with your pet - all contributing to better mental health. And it's not just the humans who benefit - dogs can pick up on our energy, so a calmer you means a calmer pooch. It’s a great way to bring a little balance to both your lives, and take a little time for yourself. From lowering heart rates to creating stronger connections, shared mindfulness can help both species feel more grounded. Getting started with dog meditation Ready to try it out? Here’s how to get started: 1. Pick a quiet space - a cosy corner, a soft rug, or even your garden. Anywhere that feels safe and still for both of you. 2. Choose a comfy position - you can sit cross-legged with your dog lying beside you, or even on your lap if they choose. You could also: Sit with your back against a wall and your legs stretched out, your dog curled up on your legs or chest. Lie down in Savasana (flat on your back) and let your dog snuggle next to you. Cuddle side-by-side on the sofa with your hand resting gently on their chest or belly. Kneel with your dog in front of you, stroking them gently as you breathe. 3. Breathe slowly and deeply - your calm breath will help soothe your pup. Inhale peace, exhale stress. 4. Try a meditation guide – if you’re struggling to quite your mind, why not try a guided meditation? There are many free guides available online. 5. Keep it short and sweet - start with just 5 minutes and build from there. It’s not a race to enlightenment - it’s about shared stillness. 6. Stay present - don’t worry if your dog fidgets, licks your nose or flops dramatically onto their back. That’s part of the fun. Let them be themselves.   We asked dog yoga expert and author, Mahny Djahanguiri, to share a visualisation and breathing technique for meditation with your dog. This practice helps you reconnect with your body while also attuning to your dog’s energy. “Find a place to lie on your back in Shavasana. Palms turned up, feet relaxed, and eyes closed. You can use music to come into this space.  Your dog doesn’t need to be next to you, even if he paces around in the room or comes to lick your face - ignore! Now imagine you had a piece of chalk, any colour you wish.  Slowly, in your mind's eye draw a line around your outer body.  Take as much time as you need but try to really focus on the shape of your body, eg draw along the inner arm, fingers, hair …. Try not to miss out any part…. Of course, relax, as you're doing this. Notice your breath slowing down. Breathing in and out, through your nose or open mouth. Notice your face softens, belly relaxes. Now do the same thing gain the other direction. Find out light your body is becoming or how heavy your body is becoming… notice the sensations in your body. Notice how the lines start to illuminate your body like a beautiful crystal frame… When your done try to do the same thing maybe choosing another colour and do the visualisation exercise keeping the shape of your dog's body in mind. This can be challenging at first, don’t worry if you can hold onto the form of your dog, if you draw the mind back without force.” Enhance the experience with relaxation sounds and music Did you know that dogs actually love chill music? Not only can it calm anxious dogs, but it can also help them settle faster and snooze more soundly. Try pairing your session with dog meditation music or dog relaxation sounds. We’re loving this soothing Spotify playlist tailored just for pups. Think gentle tones, steady rhythms, and serious tail-wag potential. How to build a lasting routine for you and your dog Consistency is key. Whether it’s a few mindful moments after your morning walk or a pre-bedtime cuddle and breathe session, weaving meditation into your daily routine can help it stick. Here are some positive reinforcement tips: Pair meditation with an already established habit (like mealtime or walkies). Use a soft voice cue or signal to start the session. Reward calm behaviour with gentle praise or a tasty treat. Let your dog come and go as they please - no pressure, just presence. And most importantly? Enjoy the journey. Every shared breath, every still moment, is a step towards a happier, healthier life together. Want to explore more ways to support your dog’s mental wellbeing? Take a peek at our Dog Mental Health Guide for expert tips, helpful signs to look out for, and everyday ways to help your best mate feel their best.

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The Benefits of Dog Meditation For You and Your Pooch
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