A new puppy's journey home

Bringing a new puppy home for the very first time can be equal parts exciting and daunting for both new owners and new puppy.

Here we've put together a little list of top tips to help keep everybody calm and safe on your first journey together.

• Take a cosy blanket for the trip, you could even use some Dorwest Valerian compound on the blanket to help puppy feel calm on the journey. Some breeders may even give you a blanket or small toy that smells like mum and the rest of the litter to help keep things more familiar.

• In the UK it is law to have dogs suitably restrained whilst in a moving vehicle. For puppies we'd recommend a travel seatbelt such as the Twiggy Tags Adventure Seatbelt attached to a small puppy harness (never attached to a collar). This way someone is still able to sit with puppy on their laps, while still being safe in the unlikely event of an accident. Dog booster seats are also available for smaller breeds.

• Drive considerately, this one may be obvious but take those corners gently and break gradually. Try to go straight home, this may be your puppies first trip in a car so lots of stops to different destinations could add to the stress.

• Often owners tend to worry about having to make multiple stops to let puppy out for a toilet. Very few puppies will be likely to have a wee if you were to stop at a service station to let them out, and be aware of your puppies vaccination status. Not all puppies are ready to be outdoors where lots of other dogs may have been, so its a good idea to take puppy pads for the back of the car and head straight home.

• Check in with your breeder before hand and have an arranged time to pick up, this way your breeder can make sure puppy hasn't just eaten a big meal. Travelling with a full tummy can lead to travel sickness.

• Take a couple of chews with you, these don't have to be edible it could be a teething toy. The act of chewing is naturally very calming for dogs, your puppy may not want to chew but its always nice to provide the option.

• Turn the radio down! Puppies ears are very sensitive and may have come from a quiet home so may not be used to loud sounds just yet. Gentle music on a low volume is perfect.