Your first puppy: the first 12 months, the costs and the kit
What happens when, what it costs, how to socialise your puppy, and the food and insurance decisions to make early.
About this guide. I wrote it from the published sources listed at the bottom. I am not a vet or an insurance adviser, so ask your vet about your own puppy.
A puppy changes your life quickly, and the first few weeks matter most. This guide puts the published UK facts in one place: the law, the vaccinations, the socialisation window, the costs, and the kit.
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Before you bring a puppy home
Since 6 April 2020, only the original breeder (or a rescue) can sell a puppy under six months old. Pet shops, online dealers and other third-party sellers are banned. Breeders in England must be licensed, and you should see the puppy with its mother where it was born.
Dogs in England must also be microchipped and registered on an authorised database, and the keeper must keep their details up to date. Sources describe the age slightly differently, so ask the breeder for the chip number and registration details before you collect your puppy.
Research the breed. Look up the common behaviours and needs of the breed or mix you are adopting, such as energy level, size and shedding, and ask the breeder or rescue what your puppy is like. Dogs Trust has breed profiles and a tool that filters by size, shedding and activity level.
Get the house ready first. Have your equipment in place before pick-up day: a bed, a crate or playpen if you plan to use one, a puppy-safe cleaner for accidents, and puppy training pads if you want them (see the kit). Move chewable objects and electrical leads out of reach, and set up a quiet resting area away from busy areas and windows. Keep the first days calm and ask visitors not to disturb your puppy while it rests, as the Dogs Trust puppy checklist suggests.
Jump toStart-up costsKitInsurance
Sources: Basingstoke and Deane council page on Lucy’s Law; Ipswich Borough Council on microchipping; ManyPets guide on microchipping (an insurer’s guide); Dogs Trust, breed profiles and puppy checklist.
The first week at home
Update the microchip details, book the first vet visit, and ask the breeder or rescue what your puppy has been eating. Start insurance early, because anything that appears before the policy starts or during its waiting period (usually the first 10 to 14 days) is normally excluded.
One vet’s example protocol gives the first vaccinations at about eight weeks. Your own vet’s schedule may differ.
Jump toVaccination timelineInsuranceKit
Sources: Which?, pet insurance explained; yourdog.co.uk, article by a vet describing her practice’s protocol (undated).
The socialisation window
Animal Trust calls 3 to 14 weeks old the critical period for socialising. It says not to wait until all vaccinations are finished, because that may be too late for key learning. Carry your puppy, use quiet observation walks, and invite calm visitors and known, vaccinated dogs to your home.
Keep each session short, about 5 to 10 minutes, several times a day.
Jump toSocialisation lessonsVaccination timeline
Source: Animal Trust, socialising your puppy.
Growing up
Monthly worming continues until six months, according to PDSA’s cost calculation, which also includes neutering in its start-up costs. A dog under 10kg is considered an adult by 8 months, a dog of 11 to 25kg at 1 year, and a dog over 26kg at anywhere from 15 months to 2 years. That is when the switch to adult food happens.
Sources: PDSA, the cost of owning a dog; Royal Kennel Club, puppy food to adult food (article provided by Royal Canin and James Wellbeloved).
Costs
What a dog costs in the UK
PDSA’s estimates use the cheapest options and were last calculated in 2024, so real costs are likely higher now.
| Dog size | Start-up (minimum) | Per month (minimum) | Lifetime estimate | Life expectancy used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | £415 | £69 | £6,200 to £12,000 | 7.1 to 14.2 years |
| Medium | £531 | £83 | £9,000 to £14,000 | 8.4 to 13.5 years |
| Large | £560 | £116 | £8,200 to £18,800 | 5.5 to 13.1 years |
Start-up includes a bed, lead, collar and tag, bowls, dental care, a brush, toys, a car restraint, initial vaccinations, monthly wormers until six months, and neutering. Monthly includes yearly health checks and boosters, flea and worm treatment, insurance, food, toys and poo bags. It does not include the purchase price, vet fees for illness or injury, special diets, boarding, day care, grooming or training. Source: PDSA.
Health
An example vaccination timeline
This is one vet’s example protocol, so your vet’s schedule and local risks may differ. Ask your vet before taking your puppy out.
| When | What | Then |
|---|---|---|
| About 8 weeks, at home | First DHP and leptospirosis | DHP means distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus |
| 2 weeks later, at least 10 weeks old | Second DHP plus kennel cough | About a week later: training and short walks, but avoid water and parks |
| 4 weeks after the first jab | Second leptospirosis | About a week later, the puppy can go anywhere. Some brands use a 2-week gap |
| 16 weeks, if advised | Extra DHP | Suggested where parvovirus risk is high locally, or for some breeds |
Source: yourdog.co.uk, an article by a vet describing her practice’s protocol (undated). Animal Trust advises carrying your puppy on walks until they are fully vaccinated.
The kit
Your starter kit at a glance
Nine things cover most of the start-up list. The drawings are illustrations of the type of product, not a specific model.
Crate or playpen
A safe space of their own, for sleeping and for when you are out of the room.
Crate or playpen
What to look for
- Big enough for the adult size, with a divider while they are small
- Strong latches and a cover or blanket to make it den-like
Bed
Somewhere soft that is theirs.
Bed
What to look for
- A washable cover, because accidents happen
- Chew-resistant stitching, and a size to grow into
Harness and lead
For walks once your vet says the puppy can go out.
Harness and lead
What to look for
- Adjustable, so it fits as they grow
- Check the fit often and use a fixed-length lead near roads
Collar and ID tag
Dogs must wear a collar with an ID tag when outside, according to PDSA.
Collar and ID tag
What to look for
- Your name and address on the tag
- Check the collar fits two fingers under it
Bowls
One for food, one for water.
Bowls
What to look for
- Stainless steel or ceramic are easy to wash
- A non-slip base stops them skating across the kitchen
Chews and toys
Something of their own to chew while teething.
Chews and toys
What to look for
- Sized for your puppy, with no pieces that can come off
- Rotate them so they stay interesting
Car restraint
PDSA includes a car restraint in its start-up costs.
Car restraint
What to look for
- A crash-tested harness or a secured crate
- Practise short, calm trips before a long one
Puppy training pads
An indoor toilet spot for times you cannot get your puppy outside, such as overnight.
Puppy training pads
What to look for
- Absorbent mats that stop urine reaching your floor or carpet
- They are no substitute for toilet training in the garden, and can confuse some puppies
Brush and grooming kit
Short daily sessions teach them to enjoy handling.
Brush and grooming kit
What to look for
- Pick a brush that suits the coat type
- Pair it with treats so grooming becomes a good thing
Training pads: yourdog.co.uk says pads suit times you cannot take your puppy outside, and are no substitute for toilet training in the garden.
Food
Puppy food, and when to switch
Puppy food has more of certain nutrients to support the growth of bones, organs, muscles and joints. Use the feeding guide on the packaging, watch your puppy’s body condition, and ask your vet about portions and meals.
When puppies count as adults
| Adult weight | Counts as an adult at |
|---|---|
| Under 10kg | About 8 months |
| 11 to 25kg | About 1 year |
| Over 26kg | Between 15 months and 2 years |
Source: Royal Kennel Club, puppy food to adult food. The article was provided by Royal Canin and James Wellbeloved, who are partners of the Royal Kennel Club.
Questions to ask any food brand
- Is it labelled as a complete food for puppies, and for my puppy’s expected adult size?
- What does the feeding guide say for my puppy’s age and weight?
- How do I switch from what the breeder fed, and what if my puppy has an upset stomach?
- If it is a subscription, how easily can I pause, change or cancel it?
Brands are in no particular order and are not a recommendation. Check the label and ask your vet.
Insurance
Sort insurance early
A condition that existed before the policy started, or began during the waiting period (usually the first 10 to 14 days), is normally excluded. A young puppy has little history to exclude, so this is the easiest time to compare cover. Which? says lifetime policies are the most comprehensive type, and that finding cheaper cover at renewal is harder than for car or home insurance.
I explain the cover types, the limits and the second-knee small print in my cruciate surgery guide.
Quotes are not a recommendation of any policy.
Quick answers
When can my puppy go outside?
Animal Trust advises carrying your puppy until fully vaccinated. One vet’s example protocol allows short walks about a week after the second DHP and kennel cough jab, avoiding water and parks, and anywhere about a week after the second leptospirosis jab. Ask your own vet.
When must a puppy be microchipped?
Dogs in England must be microchipped and registered on an authorised database, and keepers must keep their details up to date. An insurer’s guide says puppies must be chipped by eight weeks old, while a council page says dogs over eight weeks old. Ask the breeder for the chip number and registration details before you collect your puppy.
Can I buy a puppy from a pet shop?
Not if it is under six months old. Since 6 April 2020, Lucy’s Law has banned third-party sellers and pet shops from selling puppies of that age. Buy from the breeder or a rescue centre.
How much does a puppy cost to keep?
PDSA’s minimum estimate is £415 to £560 to start up and £69 to £116 a month, depending on size. Those figures leave out the purchase price, illness and injury vet fees, special diets, boarding, grooming and training.
When do I switch to adult food?
Around 8 months for a dog under 10kg, 1 year for 11 to 25kg, and between 15 months and 2 years for a dog over 26kg. Take 7 to 10 days to change over.
Sources
- PDSA, the cost of owning a dog (last calculated 2024)
- Animal Trust, socialising your puppy
- Dogs Trust, find a dog trainer or behaviour coach near you (1 to 1 sessions)
- Dogs Trust, breed profiles
- Dogs Trust, puppy checklist: preparing for your new dog
- yourdog.co.uk, what are puppy training pads and do they work? (undated)
- yourdog.co.uk, what vaccinations does my puppy need and when? (a vet’s example protocol, undated)
- Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Lucy’s Law
- Ipswich Borough Council, dog microchipping law
- ManyPets, microchipping law guide (an insurer’s guide)
- Royal Kennel Club, puppy food to adult food (provided by Royal Canin and James Wellbeloved)
- Which?, pet insurance explained
Socialisation lessons
Four lessons to teach before 14 weeks
The aim is for your puppy to meet the world calmly. Do not wait until all the vaccinations are finished, because the window narrows after about 14 weeks.
Lesson 1: People
Meet people of different ages and appearances.
Lesson 1: People
How to do it
Lesson 2: Dogs and cats
Friendly, vaccinated dogs and cats.
Lesson 2: Dogs and cats
How to do it
Lesson 3: Places
Parks, streets, shops and car journeys.
Lesson 3: Places
How to do it
Lesson 4: Sounds and objects
Everyday noises and things.
Lesson 4: Sounds and objects
How to do it
Puppy classes
Animal Trust suggests choosing classes that use positive reinforcement. They help with manners and give guided, safe contact with people and other puppies.
Dogs Trust offers 1 to 1 behaviour training sessions at locations across the UK, and virtual sessions if there is nothing near you. For group puppy classes, ask your vet or look for a local trainer who uses reward-based methods, and ask about vaccination requirements when you book.
Signs your puppy is scared
A tucked tail, backing away, growling, freezing, hiding, trembling, trying to escape or snapping. Never punish fear. If a fear of men, children or other dogs lasts, ask a behaviourist who uses positive reinforcement.
Courses are not a recommendation. Check that the trainer uses reward-based methods.
Sources: Animal Trust, socialising your puppy; Dogs Trust, find a trainer or behaviour coach.