Health and Well Being

Welcome

This page shares practical lessons we learned—sometimes the hard way—when we brought Caramel home three years ago. It’s designed especially for first-time dog owners, but even experienced owners may find helpful reminders here. Our aim is simple: to help you raise a healthy, confident, and happy Cockapoo by understanding their physical health, emotional needs, and everyday care.

Puppy Feeding and Nutrition

From around four weeks of age, we introduce puppies to dry kibble, softened into a mush while they are still cutting their baby teeth. By the time they leave us, they are eating kibble with minimal moisture, and we gradually transition it to fully dry.

During pregnancy and lactation, we switch Caramel to puppy food at around five weeks gestation. Puppy kibble provides the extra protein, calcium, and calories a nursing dog needs. For Caramel, we mix puppy kibble with Butcher’s Puppy Perfect canned food, and we supplement with folic acid and cobalamin throughout pregnancy and lactation.

We use AVA Small Breed Chicken Puppy Kibble, which is widely available in the UK at Pets At Home stores. Each Puppy Pack will include a 3 kg bag, which should last several weeks. If you decide to change foods, do so gradually by mixing increasing amounts of the new food into the old over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset.

What Not to Feed Your Puppy

Many human foods are unsafe—or outright toxic—for dogs. We strongly recommend never feeding your puppy from the table.

Alliums (onion, garlic, leek, chives) and grapes/raisins are particularly important to avoid. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, though the exact toxic dose varies and is still not fully understood. When Caramel once ate a single grape, a UK pet poison helpline initially advised it was dangerous. Our vet disagreed, escalated the call, and the poison service later confirmed that a single grape or raisin is not considered a lethal dose for an adult Cockapoo. That said, larger quantities are genuinely dangerous, and uncertainty is reason enough to be cautious.

If you believe your dog has eaten multiple grapes or raisins, contact your vet immediately. Treatment may involve inducing vomiting and monitoring kidney function.

Chocolate is also toxic to dogs, though sensitivity varies. At a minimum it can cause vomiting and diarrhoea; at higher doses it can be life-threatening. The safest approach is simple: don’t test the margins.

Most fresh vegetables are safe for dogs, but feed them in the bowl and not at the table—otherwise you’ll create a determined and very persistent beggar. Don’t ask us how we know.

Avocados and macadamia nuts can also be harmful to dogs.

Be especially cautious with prepared foods and seasoning mixes, which often contain concentrated onion or garlic powder.

⚠️ Xylitol: A Serious and Immediate Danger

Xylitol deserves its own warning. This artificial sweetener is found in many chewing gums (including Wrigley’s Extra), sweets, baked goods, and even some peanut butters and toothpastes.

Xylitol can cause a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar, sometimes within 30–60 minutes, and can also lead to liver failure. Even small amounts can be dangerous.

As of writing this, we are dealing with a suspected incident ourselves: Caramel may have eaten a single piece of Wrigley’s Extra gum. The pet poison line advised that one piece is unlikely to be fatal, but the risk of hypoglycaemia is real. On advice, we fed her immediately, gave a small amount of honey, and are feeding her every four hours overnight while monitoring her closely. Thankfully, she has an excellent appetite and is taking this disruption in stride.

Activated charcoal is unlikely to bind Xylitol effectively, but it will not harm your dog. Since we had some on hand, we gave Caramel 1 Tbsp of it mixed with canned dog food right after the gum that was dropped in the laundry room disappearred. If Xylitol ingestion is suspected, act immediately: feed your dog, give honey if advised, and contact your vet or an emergency poison service without delay, but don't attempt to induce vomiting without Vet guidance.

Exercise and Play

Puppies have bursts of energy but tire quickly. Avoid rough play on slippery floors, as repeated slipping can contribute to joint issues later in life. Short, frequent play sessions are far better than long, intense ones.

When Can My Puppy Go Outside?

Young puppies are vulnerable to infectious disease. If you have a secure garden not visited by unvaccinated dogs, you can begin gentle outdoor exposure early, especially for toilet training.

If foxes or rodents visit your garden, avoid access until at least 14 weeks of age. Leptospirosis is spread through rodent and fox urine, and your puppy’s 12-week booster needs time to become effective. Our vet has seen multiple cases of Leptospirosis, none of which survived.

Most vets recommend waiting two weeks after the second vaccination before walking in public spaces—usually around 14 weeks.

Can I Take My Puppy Out Before They’re Fully Vaccinated?

Yes—but not on the ground. If your vet agrees, carrying your puppy in a sling or bag allows them to experience sights, sounds, and smells safely. This was invaluable for Caramel’s early socialisation and confidence.

While waiting, introduce the harness at home and practise lead walking in the garden so long as it has been fox and rodent free. If you have friends with calm, fully vaccinated dogs, supervised garden playdates are also helpful.

Walking a 14-Week-Old Puppy

At this age, joints and muscles are still developing.

Keep walks short: 10–15 minutes, two to three times per day
Let your puppy set the pace and stop to sniff—this mental stimulation is tiring in a good way
Avoid jumping, stairs, and forced running
Always use a harness, not a collar

UK law requires dogs to wear an ID tag in public. We include contact details but not the dog’s name, to avoid unwanted familiarity from strangers.

Grooming and Hygiene

We begin gentle brushing and nail trimming early so puppies see handling as normal. Most groomers offer “puppy grooms” only until six months of age.

We recommend:

Puppy grooms at ~14 and ~20 weeks
First full groom at ~26 weeks
Ongoing grooms every 6–8 weeks

Between grooms, trim nails as needed.

Socialisation Plan (Overview)

We’ve given your puppy a strong foundation—you just need to build on it. Socialisation should always be positive, gradual, and never forced. Exposure includes people of all ages, household sounds, friendly vaccinated dogs, different environments, and gentle handling.

Common Behavioural Issues

Many puppy behaviours—biting, chewing, barking, pulling—are normal developmental stages. Consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement matter far more than correction.

A few key reminders:

Redirect biting to toys
Reward calm behaviour
Prevent rehearsal of bad habits
Never punish fear or anxiety
A dog rolling onto their back with paws raised is signalling stress, not asking for a belly rub

When in doubt, seek professional help early—it’s far easier to shape behaviour than undo it.

Health Considerations

Your puppy has already had:

A veterinary health check
First vaccinations (DHP + Lepto4)
Regular worming with Panacur

Your vet will advise ongoing worming, flea, and tick prevention. We use Endectrid ourselves (not during pregnancy and lactation), but always follow veterinary guidance.

Spaying or neutering is typically appropriate from six months of age—discuss timing with your vet.

We’ve also included a list of early warning signs that warrant veterinary advice, including lethargy, appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, behavioural changes, and inappropriate elimination.

Making Your Garden Safe for a Puppy

Puppy-proofing your garden is essential. Common risks include:

Toxic plants (many bulbs, foxglove, laburnum, yew, wisteria pods)
Slug bait and fertilisers
Gaps in fencing
Ponds and sharp tools

Regular inspection and supervision are key, especially in the early months.

In Closing

Raising a puppy is both a responsibility and a privilege. With thoughtful nutrition, sensible exercise, careful socialisation, and prompt veterinary care, you set the stage for a lifetime of companionship and trust. Puppies grow quickly, but the habits and confidence you build now will shape the dog they become.

We’re always happy to answer questions—because we remember very clearly what it’s like to be new at this.