Whether you're just about to buy a puppy or have just bought one, there are a few things you need. I've put together a useful checklist:

• Find a "good" local vet
• A collar and a lead
• Water and food bowls
• Grooming supplies including a brush and shampoo
• Insurance (find out more about Argos Pet Insurance)
• A puppy crate to help you with housebreaking
• A baby gate to stop them going into rooms you don't want them in.
• Find a local puppy class in case the new addition to your family turns out to be a little monster that needs some professional training!
• Expose your puppy to lots of different situations. Introduce him/her to as many people and dogs of all ages as you possibly can!

Once you've found a vet talk to them about; the best food for your Jack Russell; when they require their first set of innoculations

Further Advice

• Decide collectively as a family which parts of the house are "no go areas" for your dog; for instance he can be trained never to set foot on carpeted areas, sit on the settee, or never go upstairs. Make sure that no member of the family encourages the dog to break the rules.
• Never allow a young puppy the free run of the house. Restrict it to easily cleaned areas unless you can keep it under close observation.
• Do not expect a puppy or a young dog to be 100 per cent obedient. If you are not present to warn him about committing offences. Be realistic about the amount of good behaviour you can expect from an unsupervised dog.
• Above all, avoid putting the dog into a situation where he can spoil articles you value or commit other behavioural errors. Prevention is always better than cure.