New 'Puppy Plan' launched
The Kennel Club and Dogs Trust have come together to launch the Puppy Plan, a new initiative for dog breeders and owners which aims to give every puppy the very best start in life to prevent behavioural problems later on.
The Puppy Plan is being launched to Kennel Club Assured Breeders as a pilot scheme for those breeders who have agreed to follow good breeding practices as set out by the Kennel Club. Dogs Trust will also roll the Puppy Plan out in their rehoming centres. This will be incorporated with the basic puppy training given to puppies that are born onsite and those brought into the charity for rehoming.
The aim of the plan is to help puppies be fully prepared for their future as companion dogs, to improve life for both them and their new owners. The foundations for a puppy’s future behaviour and character are laid down in the first 16 weeks of his or her life. This is a vital time when it is possible to develop the puppy’s brain, and shape the way he or she will turn out as an adult dog. This is also the time when most problem behaviours can be prevented, long before they even start, giving the dog a far more certain future – and the new owner far fewer potential problems.
Communications Director for the Kennel Club Caroline Kisko said “From the moment a litter of puppies is planned, both the breeder and then the new owners want to do everything possible to make sure that each new life has the chance to grow up to be the very best dog it can be.”
“The Puppy Plan will deliver a comprehensive programme that ensures the breeder and new owner have all the support possible to prepare puppies for a long, happy, healthy life.”
Dogs Trust Chief Executive Clarissa Baldwin added “Sadly we see so many under-socialised dogs coming into our rehoming centres as they have been difficult to train and deal with in a home environment as young dogs. These dogs are the lucky ones as they have a second chance to end up in the right home, but too often puppies are being abandoned due to ‘bad’ behaviour.”
“It is hoped the trial is a success with the Kennel Club Assured Breeders and in time can be implemented to anyone and everyone who breeds or is involved in dogs. It will be very interesting to see the results of this in our rehoming centres as the Puppy Plan becomes more widely used.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
