12 Puppies and Us

Staffordshire bull terrier-cross Sage is setting up residence with the Fianko family, first-time puppy owners living in south London. While mum Cheryl may have brought up five kids, controlling a boisterous puppy proves trickier than she expected, and expert Louise is called in to help restore some calm. Border collie Meg has her work cut out for her as she joins Victoria, a 16-year-old novice shepherdess with a big ambition to train her own sheepdog. If juggling lambing season and obedience training isn’t hard enough, Victoria must first encourage her pup not to be nervous of sheep. And there is a big surprise in Salisbury when great dane Shelby joins a young family which already includes Mr Cooper, a three-year-old dachshund. The new pup is keen to be friends, but he will grow to double a dachshund’s height in a matter of weeks, and there is no guarantee Mr Cooper will be happy to play along too.

This episode introduces Chinese crested powderpuff Fabio as he joins Alisa and Colin in Cardiff. Alisa has had a powderpuff before but was too anxious to let him off his lead. Determined to learn how to let her new pup run free, she calls in trainer Louise for help. Rescue dog Elina is moving in with the Orchard family in Buckinghamshire after a 2,000 mile trip from Cyprus, where she was found abandoned on the side of the road. But Kirsten and Marcus already have two boisterous dogs and need to come up with a careful plan if the new arrival is to join their pack safely. In south London, Sage the Staffordshire bull terrier cross is a massive hit with the Fianko family, with one big exception. Dad Reggie is still reluctant to do his share of puppy care, so mum Cheryl has decided it is time he took some responsibility for the family’s newest member. And in Somerset, border collie Meg and her 16-year-old handler Victoria face their big test. After a month with the family, Victoria must step up Meg’s training. Together they have just six weeks to master crucial obedience skills. Can Meg show she has got what it takes to be a working sheep dog on the family farm?

In this episode, Lyra the pomsky moves in with the busy Cuthbertson family in Gateshead. Toddler Ellie is initially excited by her new playmate, until Lyra chews through her toys and even her doll's bed. Her parents call in Louise to help stop the chewing and restore harmony to the house. In Cardiff, the big day arrives for Chinese crested powderpuff Fabio. Alisa has been too anxious about his safety to let him off his lead. But after weeks of careful training, will she finally have the confidence to allow him to run free across the beach? And in north London, first-time owners the Kothari family are struggling even to find a pup. Lockdown has created a record interest in new puppies, with some breeders seeing their waiting list swell by as much as 300 per cent. Dog behaviourist Louise is worried they may buy one from a puppy farm.

In this episode, Woody the St Bernard pup moves in with the Summerscale-Heards in Surrey. For the little pup, there are big hopes. Five-year-old Dexter has cerebral palsy, and his parents want Woody to become his companion and learn to carry out simple assistance tasks. In Hull, Mungo the cocker spaniel joins Alastair, Daron and their possessive older cocker spaniel Milo. Alastair and Daron are hoping Milo and Mungo will become best friends, but the two cockers clash from day one, and Alastair and Daron call on Louise to help. And first-time owners the Kothari family have been struggling to find a puppy after lockdown created a record interest in new pets. They have finally found a litter and are about to visit, but Louise has concerns and has armed them with advice on how to make sure they are buying from a reputable breeder.

In this episode, Miska, shih tzu-pug cross, is rehomed and moves on to a houseboat with new owner Scarlett. After initial signs Miska is adapting well to her new home, Scarlett takes her to work, but is shocked when she ignores her and starts yapping at her colleagues in the open-planned office. She calls in Louise for help and discovers that the six-month-old pup has just hit adolescence. In Surrey, the Summerscale-Heards continue training St Bernard pup Woody to offer companionship and assistance to five-year-old Dexter. Darren has an ambitious new goal: teaching Woody to walk alongside Dexter’s wheelchair. And in West Yorkshire, Phoebe the cavapoo joins retirees Linda and Andrew, who hope she will fit into their active and well-ordered life. But when Phoebe begins nipping and jumping up, the couple are left exhausted and ask Louise to help restore peace to their home.

In this final episode, Linus the Bedlington Terrier joins the Seymour family in Sussex. While the four children are delighted, mum Rebecca is nervous. Having given up a previous puppy because she couldn't cope with it and discovering that Bedlingtons have a reputation for not backing down in a fight, she's not sure if she's made the right decision. In North London, Cookie the French Bulldog moves in with hairdresser Louise, personal trainer Phil and their two young boys. The family have high hopes she’ll fit in with their active lifestyle, but are thrown when she refuses to go out on walks. When even Phil’s personalised 'puppy boot camp' fails to get results, the family call in Louise for help. And in West Yorkshire, Phoebe the cavapoo has now been with retirees Linda and Andrew for a month and shows no signs of slowing down. The couple have a short break to Harrogate planned but are concerned her unstoppable energy will make it impossible to enjoy. They’re hoping her first walks will provide enough exercise and stimulation to calm the inexhaustible pup.