With the news that 10 Downing Street is now the new home to a young rescue pup, dog lovers countrywide are left wondering how the PM will have any time to properly look after his new companion. 

This isn't just a problem for the nation's Prime Minister however. Given that 49% of UK adults own a pet according to PDSA, understanding how best to train and raise a dog is a major concern for a large proportion of the working population. 

Amidst the myriad responsibilities and obligations we must bear in mind in our daily lives, it is important for dog owners to understand how long it will take to raise and look after their new hound. It is also vital that owners are aware of the needs that their individual dog will have, based on their breed.

Dr. Steph Wenban, Front of The Pack's vet and pet wellbeing expert, provides the following advice:

"Each dog is an individual and the time needed to train them will vary. For example, Labradors are quite food motivated and this can be advantageous when it comes to training and rewarding good behaviour.

“However, other dogs are more motivated by toys so it is important to find out what your dog values. When it comes to timings, you should aim to work in 10-15 min sessions and always provide lots of positive reinforcement for your dog. With this, you should be able to achieve the basics in 5-6 weeks with lots of practice and praise."

Boris Johnson’s girlfriend Carrie Symonds posed for a number of pictures outside Downing Street with her new dog. She tweeted a picture of herself with the Jack Russell cross puppy, saying: “Meet our gorgeous little rescue puppy, Dilyn #AdoptDontShop”.

Picture Credit: Twitter/Carrie Symonds