Although it will be a few weeks before you can walk your puppy outside on a lead (prior to vaccination, you should carry your puppy so as to avoid the risk of infection), you can get him used to a collar when he’s had a few days to settle into his new home.

What type of collar?
Your puppy’s first collar should be one with a buckle, and definitely not chain or choke collars. When you put it on, you should be able to get two fingers between the collar and his neck.

When to put it on
Choose a time when something pleasant is about to happen to your puppy, such as feeding him, playing with him or taking him outdoors. You must be prepared for him to try and get rid of it at first by scratching at it. But you should ignore this and, as soon as he stops, lavish praise upon him. After a short time, divert his attention with another pleasant event and take the collar off and put it back on again later.

Getting accustomed to his collar
It should only take a few days for your puppy to get used to his collar. When he begins to ignore it, you can leave it on all the time. But there are two things to remember at this time; firstly, your puppy will almost certainly grow at a tremendous rate, so check his collar every few days, to make sure it isn’t too tight and restricting. And secondly, your puppy can so easily get lost in his early weeks, so it’s important that you attach an identification tag. Besides, the law says that all dogs must wear a tag with their owners’ contact details on at all times when in a public place.

Later on, when your puppy gets used to being handled, begin getting him used to being restrained by his collar. Hold his body with one hand, to stop him trying to pull away from you and twist your fingers in his collar. Try to ignore his wriggling around and, when he stands still, praise him. By gently restraining him like this, he’ll learn and accept that he can’t get away if he’s being held by his collar.

Time for the lead
Once your puppy has got used to being restrained by his collar, you can attach a lead. So that he gets used to the feel of his lead, let him drag it around during a few play periods. You can pick up the lead now and again but keep still when you do. That way, your puppy will learn that being on the lead means he can’t go wherever he wants to because he’s attached to you. Once your puppy has accepted that he’s restrained, give plenty of praise before letting him go again.

Your puppy’s ID
As we mentioned, it is the law for your puppy to wear a tag on his collar with your contact details clearly displayed. However, there are other steps you can take to ensure your puppy’s safe return if he gets lost.

Tattooing and Microchipping: Some dog owners opt for their pet to be tattooed, usually on the inside of a rear leg or ear, but nowadays, microchipping is considered the effective way of permanently linking pets to their owners, greatly increasing the chances of having them returned should they get lost, or stray or stolen.

Most puppies can be microchipped when they reach twelve weeks of age. The tiny ‘chip’ can be implanted painlessly under your puppy’s skin; the chip won’t normally move, and it can’t be seen, but it can be read by a scanner. Your puppy’s microchip has its own unique code which, along with your details, is put on the national PetLog database. This scheme is a foolproof way of identification, wherever a dog is found. A one-off payment of around £20 will get your puppy onto the PetLog database for life.

If you’d like to find out more about microchipping, your vet will be happy to advise you.

And if you do lose your puppy?
Perish the thought that you should lose your new puppy, but better to think the unthinkable than be ill prepared. It goes without saying that losing your pet is bound to be a very stressful time, but even the best cared for pet can get lost or stolen. Home-loving pets are especially vulnerable because they won’t know their way around the local area.

Of course, many dogs can, and do, find their own way home, but if your pet goes missing, you should take immediate action. Your puppy should be wearing his ID tag, so the police or local authority are likely to return him to you. But if they don’t, give the police or your Local Authority Dog Warden a detailed description and a contact number. Also, get in touch with local kennels and animal rescue centres; they may have your puppy, and you can look them up in your local phone book. Finally, it has been known that a well-meaning person might’ve taken your puppy in, so put up posters in your locality; in shops, libraries, supermarkets and your vet surgery.

You could also consider getting in touch with Petsearch, which is a nationwide network of volunteers who’ll look out for your pet. You can contact them on 01225 705175.