Blue Cross blog

As it is revealed that Prince William and Kate Middleton have taken on a new puppy, The Blue Cross has some tips for ensuring harmony in the royal household with the new arrival.

The three-month-old black cocker spaniel puppy is reportedly keeping Kate company while Wills is away in the Falklands.

A pet can be a wonderful addition to any home but it is so important to start training when they are as young as possible.

Jenny Woolliams, assistant animal behaviourist at The Blue Cross, said: “If Kate is at home while William is away, it is a perfect opportunity for her to spend lots of time with the new addition to their family. She'll need to settle him into his new home, get him used to new sights and sounds and make sure he learns good manners - which will be particularly important for a royal companion.”

Here are our top tips to start the Duke and Duchess off on the right track:

Toilet training: All new puppy owners know the frustration of an unwanted puddle on the carpet, but when the rug is Persian and the furniture antique Chippendale Kate and Wills may want to get this under control as soon as possible.

Young puppies go to the toilet quite regularly and have not learned to hold on. Pups are most likely to want to go toilet after sleeping and eating or during bouts of excitement. To kick start house training, take your pup into a corner of the garden during these times and wait patiently for him to do his business. When he does, give him gentle and brief praise. 

If he does have any accidents, never tell him off – it is probably your fault for not keeping a close eye on him. You will soon pick up on signs he needs to go to the toilet and can let him out as soon as he starts to show them – these may include circling, pacing up and down and sniffing the floor.

Socialising your puppy: The first few months of a puppy’s life are vital to making them a happy, calm pet. In the early days, introduce your puppy to as many different dogs, people and sights and sounds as possbible. Kate might like to whip out the hoover for a tidy up, for example, to make sure the pup is not scared of the noise.

Chewing: Puppies love to chew – whether it is their owner’s slipper or a crown left carelessly lying around, they are not fussy. Dogs chew out of boredom, distress at being alone or lack of exercise. Give your puppy plenty of chews to play with and each day provide him with one he has not seen for a while. Leave them on the floor when he is in the room and when he plays with it gently praise him. If you see your dog chewing something he should not, distract him by calling him to you then quietly take it away and give him an appropriate chew.

The Blue Cross offers advice and support to pet owners to keep their animals happy and healthy. We rely entirely on public donations to help thousands of sick and needy animals every year through our rehoming centres and hospitals.  Please make a donation today to support our vital services.