Any new pet owner will tell you how difficult the first few weeks are. The new addition to the family, whether cat, dog, hamster or something more exotic, is understandably nervous and unsure of his surroundings. This is a make or break time, a time of bonding between family and animal.

There is so much to sort out too! Bedding or a kennel, a whole lot of paraphernalia to make sure that it is comfortable, dog training based in Leicester or wherever you live. So much to do to make sure that the pet is properly welcomed into your family.

And it doesn't stop there. When you have a new baby you expect a lack of sleep – but when you have a pet you do not expect to have to get up at all hours. But this is often a fact of life. Puppies need to be house trained and that can involve getting up at very unsociable hours. They also need to be walked on a regular basis which can upset the household schedule to no end.

But after all that hard work, your little bundle of joy will no doubt be worth it and as it settles in and feels part of the family you can relax a little – until you decide to get just one more little puppy to keep it company!