When you bring your dog home for the first time, just hold it and cuddle it. Make it feel safe and secure. Familiarise it with the new surroundings. Use lots of words of reassurance.

Make sure there is a place for the animal to go that is just his or hers, such as a bed, basket, or cage. Show this to the dog and when your pet is tired lift it in. All dogs like their own space. Maybe you need two or three of these around the house. Your dog needs to go out to relieve itself every hour and whatever it does, use encouraging words, so the dog associates the words and tone of say “good boy” so that they want to do their business. The dog eats carry it outside, and say ‘do wee/ poo’ and then praise.

There will be accidents but don’t scold the dog. When the pet goes to bed put down some puppy mats near the door. Your dog will not want to soil its own bed. Hopefully the dog will do its business on the mats. The most important thing is to be consistent, loving and patient. Don’t get angry or frustrated with the dog.

At night make sure he goes to bed, even if he cries. Don’t bring him into your bed. It’s hard but don’t give in. They get used to being in their bed very quickly if they are warm, comfortable, and dry. They might follow you to the door but keep lifting them up, talk to them, maybe give them something of yours with your smell on and put them back to bed. This way the dog understands what is happening.