Two questions if you don't mind?

[needastrongone]

Thank you.

We pick up our Springer puppy on Sunday. He's 8 weeks. He's booked in for his first injection on Monday and I have registered at a recommended vets near us.

The practice has offered me two 'schemes' for want of a better word. The first is a £95 one off payment to cover all further injections for life. The second is a monthly payment (varying amounts dependant on level of cover, bronze, silver, gold) which would covers the likes of worming, fleas, injections, a number of consultations, blood tests, screening etc. Not treatment of injury or illness cost etc, insurance needed for that. They were not pushing either particularly, but I wondered if people with dogs used either such options?

Secondly - one of us is going to be around and off for Christmas from Sunday until 7th January, so a nice long time to get our puppy settled and secure. During this period, I can see him never being left at all! But, is that actually a good thing though? We are going to crate train him, I had wondered if I should get him used to being left for very short periods during this time by going in and out of the room, upstairs and straight back, to the bin outside and straight back, popping to the shop or post box etc etc? Whilst I want him to settle and be happy, I don't want to cause issues when normality resumes in Jaunary, Christmas is a strange period isn't it? I only work part time and some from home so he's never going to get left for any great length of time, but I have to be realistic in that he WILL need to be left for short periods because that's life!

Perhaps I am over thinking this a bit though? Would be grateful for any advice?

[PartridgeInASpicyPearTree]

Can't hello on the vets point add mine didn't have these schemes, but on leaving him, yes definitely get him used to out while you are at home. Just like you say, short periods upstairs our out of the house a otherwise it will be hard when you then have to leave him for longer.

[Floralnomad]

Injections for life are quite popular now and £95 seems cheap compared with our vets . The only thing I would say is make sure you are happy with the vet before you sign up otherwise its money wasted. We have been with the same vet for donkeys years and I used to travel quite a distance to get to them however due to a number of changes in personnel I have finally taken the plunge and moved to a local vet this year . My dog is 2.6 if I'd paid for injections for life it would have been a waste . For your other point ,yes get him used to being left for short periods.

[littlewhitebag]

We got our pup at the beginning of the summer holidays when both DD were at home and i had to FORCE them to leave her for a while. Even now she is never left alone for very long but it is good to get them used to it.

[needastrongone]

Thanks for the replies.

As I thought, I will start to leave him for short periods once he has settled in.

Thanks also re the vets advice. £95 does seem resonable, given they get an annual booster I think? Must check that as I don't know the answer.

[PartridgeInASpicyPearTree]

It sounds pretty good to me. I can't remember how much it was but I was when SpicyDog had her booster. But that is my fault for taking her to the shiny expensive veterinary hospital in the posh part of town because only the best for my PFD

[needastrongone]

Oh I am sure that I will be like that too Partridge. I guess if we ever get a second dog, they will make do with hand me downs and far less attention, a bit like DC2.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

With the vaccinations for life check the terms and conditions some of the coporate practices have stringent conditions eg buy all worm and flea treatment or paying twice yearly for health checks.
I run a monthly payment plan in my practice it doesn't have levels, but it is 5% cheaper than pay as you so these can be good.

[needastrongone]

Thanks Lonecat, the website does stipulate T&C's apply, but doesn't specify what they are, so I will check. Appreciate your reply.