You’ve chosen your puppy and can’t wait to bring him home. Everyone is looking forward to the new addition to the family. Bringing your puppy home will be an exciting day for you and your puppy. There are several things you can do to help make the transition go smoothly.

First, it is a good idea to have someone home with the puppy in the beginning. It will take time for your puppy to adjust to his new surroundings. Dogs are pack animals and your puppy will be comforted by having family members nearby. Having someone around the house will help to ease his transition period.

Remember that your puppy will need to be taken out several times during the day as he is learning to be house trained. (For tips on house training see our article Housebreaking Your Puppy – Link here) He will also need fresh water and at least two meals during the day time. We recommend stainless steel bowls for their durability and hygienic quality.

You will want to have some toys for puppy to play with as he becomes accustomed to your home. It is important to have chew toys on hand; puppies quickly reach the teething stage. You certainly don’t want him to make do with your favorite shoes or the leg of your antique table.

If you have children, be sure to spend some time with them to explain how to handle puppies. Children are bound to be excited about their new family member; maybe even more excited than your very excitable puppy. During the first few days at home, the more attention you can give your puppy the easier his transition and housebreaking will be. This is a great time to get the kids involved and to teach them how to play with, pet and groom the puppy.

Getting your home ready for the new puppy isn’t too tough. Just be sure to puppy-proof the house. Pick up small items that could be easily swallowed and put away items that puppy might want to chew on. A little picking up will make everyone’s transition a bit easier.

Before you bring puppy home have the following items on hand:

• Food and water bowls (stainless steel is preferred)

• Dog food, both dry and canned

• Collar and leash

• Crate, basket or bed for sleeping

• Toys and chew toys

• Gates if there are areas that puppy will not have access to

• Newspaper if you plan on paper training, avoid colored print

Your puppy will be accustomed to his new home in a few days. The years of happiness from having a dog are just beginning, so sit back and enjoy the unconditional love that comes with having a dog.

Biting and chewing. It is one of those things that puppies do and we try so hard to break them of this bad habit. It is never fun to come home to find that adorable little puppy chewing on your favorite pair of shoes or your child’s stuffed animals. So what can you do to teach your puppy better habits? Let’s examine why puppies bite and chew and some solutions.

Biting and chewing is a physiological response. Puppies typically go through a teething stage between the ages of 12 and 26 weeks. Chewing during this developmental phase is common. The best way to survive the teething stage is to be vigilant about picking up things around the house. Put shoes in the closet, toys in the toy box and generally keep small chew worthy items picked up and put away. A little extra effort on your part during this time can go a long way to making everyone happier.

Beyond the teething stage, puppies often bite and chew for other reasons. Puppies bite as part of the learning process. They can also bite and chew from boredom, from lack of self control and out of excitement during playtime. The trick is to teach a puppy that biting and chewing is not acceptable.

As with any training, consistency is the key to success. Here are some solutions to help you and your puppy get on the same page.

• Never hit your puppy when he bites. Dogs don’t associate the strike with the biting. Hitting your puppy will only teach your dog to fear you.

• Try letting out a little ‘yelp’ or ‘ouch’ to let puppy know that you are were hurt and pull your hand away.

• Walk away. By removing yourself from the situation, when your puppy bites, they will quickly learn that a bite ends the game.

• Provide your puppy with appropriate chew toys. When puppy chews on a table leg or electrical cord, remove him from the item, scold him, and give him a chew toy. Very quickly he will learn that there are appropriate things to chew.

• Your local pet store also supplies bitter tasting products that can be put on furniture to help prevent chewing.

Try not to stress too much about the biting and chewing. Most puppies grow out of this stage fairly quickly. As they grow and learn, your puppy will catch on to the rules of the house.

Having a dog in your life is one of the most rewarding things there is. The unconditional love you will receive will brighten the darkest days and make the bright days even more enjoyable. As you prepare to bring your new puppy home, keep in mind these basic thoughts about having a dog as part of your family.

• Puppy needs to learn his name. Teaching puppy his name is important so he can respond to basic commands. Be sure that you get a tag for your dog with his name on it.

• Puppy needs regular vet visits. Just like babies, puppies need regular doctor visits. Spay or neuter your pet and visit the vet for yearly vaccinations and check- ups.

• Puppy needs to be exposed to the world. While your puppy is still young, expose him to many new situations. Take him for walks around the neighborhood and to parks, both human and dog parks. Teach him to socialize with other dogs and people. Socializing your puppy will help him to be calm and open to meeting new people.

• Puppy needs to learn to wear a leash. Teaching your puppy to walk on a leash is very important. Your puppy needs exercise and walks are a great way to get some. Teach your puppy to walk by your side and not pull you along. This is important so that he knows you are in charge.

• Puppy needs to learn basic commands. Teach your puppy basic commands like “sit” and “lie down”. Your dog needs to know how to respond to your commands. These two simple commands will help him to respond well in many situations. Be sure to praise your dog often, positive reinforcement is a great teaching tool.

• Puppy needs to be groomed and loved. Spend time each day with your puppy bonding. One of the best ways to do this is to groom him. Brushing is beneficial to his health and is a great way to bond. Play with him, talk to him and generally show him that he is important to you and the family. Remember dogs are most comfortable in a pack and your family is his new pack.

• Don’t let puppy run wild. In your fenced backyard an unleashed run is fine, but don’t let your puppy run wild outside. It is not safe for him or for the people he will encounter.

• Be careful with puppy in the car. Don’t let your dog ride in the open back of a truck or hang his head out the window of the car. It simply isn’t safe. Never leave your dog in a hot car even with the windows down.

• Be careful with basic household items. Many household items are dangerous for dogs. Take special care with carpet cleaners to be sure they are pet safe. Keep chocolate out of reach as it is toxic to dogs. Don’t use over the counter medicines to treat your pet. Some plants are poisonous, so be careful with what you keep around the house.

• Keep training positive. When training your puppy, don’t hit or yell at your dog. This will not make training easier. Don’t leave your dog chained in the back yard or locked in a cage. Use the choker chain only for training purposes, not for everyday use.

Housebreaking your puppy will start the minute you bring him home. Each dog is different so keep in mind that housebreaking can take from a few days to a few weeks to achieve. The best way to house train you new puppy is to teach him to go outside to eliminate. So how exactly do you get this done?

First, start immediately when you bring your puppy home. Give him some time to get acquainted with his new home. Give him a drink of water and then immediately take him outside to eliminate. Many people choose a specific area of the yard that will be designated for the puppy. You will need to stay with the puppy in this area until he goes. Do not play with the puppy as this may distract him from his purpose. Remember that your puppy is experiencing a lot of new things and it may take some time for him to finish. As soon as he is done, praise him and take him inside. Every time the puppy needs to go, you will take him to the same spot, wait with him and then praise him for his good behavior.

You will need to keep a close eye on your puppy to avoid accidents. Taking your puppy out immediately in the morning, before and after each meal and nap and before bed is the minimum investment you will need to make. Puppies have small bladders and may need to go more frequently than you would think. Puppies may need middle of the night potty breaks for the first several weeks.

If your puppy has an accident there are two ways to handle it. First, if you didn’t catch him having the accident then the best thing to do is to clean it up and move on. Bring the puppy back to the scene of the crime and reprimanding him will not help. He cannot connect the two events in his brain.

If you catch him in the act, then you need to scoop him up immediately and take him out side. Keep his tail between his legs to prevent seepage. Avoid saying “NO” at this point. Your puppy will not know that your reprimand is in reference to the location that he is eliminating and not the fact that he is eliminating.

As you work on housetraining you need to be patient. If you take him out on a schedule and focus on your puppies needs, house training will go much faster. Prepare in advance for accidents; they are bound to happen. Remember to praise your puppy each time he goes in the correct location. If you are vigilant about your end of the training, before you know it your puppy will be house trained and will be a reliable member of the family.

If you want your puppy to be a positive member of your family and a good citizen when out in the world, obedience training is a must. Obedience training establishes a common language between you and your puppy. A puppy that is well trained and socialized will be comfortable around many people and situations.

Obedience training should be started the day you bring your puppy home. Teaching your puppy to respond to his name is the first training lesson you will accomplish. From here moving to simple commands like sit, stay, come and heel is a natural progression.

Training should be fun and is best taught during play sessions with your dog. When your puppy is playing he is not aware that he is learning. Learning through play makes him more receptive to the messages you are teaching. Keep training sessions short and reward positive responses. Remember that puppies don’t have a long attention span.

Follow these basic training tips as you start obedience training:

• Reward good behavior.

• Don’t reward undesirable behavior.

• Don’t let your puppy ignore a command.

• If you don’t want to enforce a command, don’t give it.

• Don’t punish good behavior.

• Repeat the command and the reward.

• Be realistic, patient and fair.

Once your puppy has completed his vaccinations, you may enroll him in a puppy training class. Be sure to check out the class prior to enrolling. You want to make sure you are comfortable with the teacher and the methods taught in the class. Try to find a class that is small in size so your puppy and you can receive one on one attention.

Obedience training really is a must. Setting clear boundaries and teaching your dog which behaviors are appropriate will reward you with a loving dog that is fun to be around for many years to come.

Puppies are adorable, but like small children their curiosity tends to get them a bit dirty. Keeping your puppy clean and well groomed is important to his health. Use these grooming tips for a happy, healthy puppy.

Baths

• Get your puppy used to having regular baths. Three to four baths by the age of six months is a good way to introduce the concept and will go a long way to helping him or her feel comfortable with the bath tub.

• Stay away from harsh shampoos and never use laundry products to bathe your puppy.

• If you are bathing your puppy just to get him used to the concept and he isn’t smelly, warm water will do.

• To clean him up and get him smelling fresh and clean, we recommend diluted baby shampoo; 50% water and 50% baby shampoo will work best. You can also dilute the mild dog shampoos found at your local pet store.

• Avoid getting water in his ears or eyes.

• Keep shampoo away from his head.

Brushing and Nail Trimming

• You should brush your dog regularly to keep his coat in good condition. If you start early your dog will enjoy these bonding sessions.

• Long haired breeds should be brushed daily. Shorter haired breeds less frequently.

• Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is important to avoid damaging the foot if his nails get too long.

• Start trimming your dog’s nails when he is a puppy so that he will become accustom to this part of his grooming routine.

• If you are too nervous to trim his nails yourself, set regular appointments with your vet to have the job done.

Fleas and Ticks

• Fleas and ticks can cause serious health problems for your puppy so stay on top of this part of the grooming process.

• Speak with your vet or use a flea and tick product sold at your local pet store to keep your dog flea and tick free.

• Your vet can recommend specific types of flea and tick products based on your dog’s individual needs.

Jumping is one of those things that sometimes get overlooked when you bring your new puppy home. After all, when they are small and cuddly, the jumping comes across as cute. Once your dog is full grown, the jumping may be less desirable. The best way to avoid letting the jumping get out of hand is to break the habit early on.

Jumping is a natural reaction for your puppy; it is how dogs show affection and love. Unfortunately, this innate instinct isn’t necessarily acceptable in his new home. The best way to teach your new puppy that you don’t want him to jump is to be consistent in your teaching. You can’t vary your message. Don’t let him jump up to greet you, but punish him for jumping up to greet visitors to your home.

One of the ways to stop the jumping is to reward a preferred behavior. When puppy jumps, reply with a simple but firm “no”. Reward puppy with affection and/or a treat when he stops jumping and is sitting calmly in front of you. Puppies respond well to positive reinforcement.

As part of the learning process, avoid getting your puppy all excited when you come home. Do not encourage the jumping by picking him up, playing with him or generally responding to his excitement. If you don’t excite them, but instead say hello and quietly go about your business, they will learn that jumping when someone comes in the door is not acceptable.

As with any type obedience training, the key to success is consistency. You must use the same method each time, practice it often and ignore unwanted behavior as part of your training process. Remember that praise is always a great way to encourage any positive behavior in your puppy.

Choosing the best food for your dog can be a daunting task. Just trying to decipher the information on bags of dog food can be confusing. You want to provide your dog with the best food for them, but how do you know what to choose?

The first thing to remember is that dogs are meat eaters by nature. So you want to choose a food that is primarily a meat based product. Plants and grains are harder for dogs to digest and offer less nutrition.

To start, look at the first five ingredients on the packaging. Dog food manufactures are required to list items in order of weight. The first item on the list will be the one with the greatest volume in the food. Choose a food that lists the first item as a meat source. Chicken, beef and lamb are the most common meat sources you will find. If you have a choice between chicken and chicken meal, choose chicken meal. There is less water content in chicken meal, thus providing your dog with more nutritional content. Whenever possible avoid products with meat by-products or unspecified meat in the ingredient list.

It is preferable to see at least two meat sources in the first five ingredients. From there you will be looking for as few grains as possible. Grains are filler items and not easy for your dog to digest. Finding a food with no grains is nearly impossible, so just try to limit the number of ingredients that are grains. If you have a choice, whole grains are preferred, as are whole fruits and vegetables and brown rice. Ingredients to avoid include corn products, wheat products, beet pulp and molasses.

Choosing a dog food requires a bit of up front research. Once you have found a food that provides the best overall nutrition give it a go. Chances are your dog will love it and your extra effort will be rewarded with a happy, healthy and playful pet.

You’ve made the decision to crate train your new puppy. This is a good decision. Crate training is a proven way to help dogs learn which behaviors are appropriate. With proper crate training your puppy will come to view his crate as a safe place and will be happy to spend time there.

After deciding that crate training is for you and your puppy then the next decision is what type of crate to choose. Crates come in three basic forms: fabric, plastic and metal.

Collapsible fabric kennels are not for long term use. They are best used when you are present and should not be used for long periods of time unsupervised.

Plastic crates are one of the two most popular crate choices. Plastic crates are often referred to as flight kennels. They can serve a dual purpose as a pet carrier, if you plan to travel a lot with your puppy, and if your dog is small enough that you can carry him and the crate simultaneously.

Metal crates are the other most popular choice for dogs. Metal crates are collapsible. Collapsible crates are a plus if you plan to move your crate from room to room or if you plan to use the crate only while the puppy is training.

Regardless of which type of crate you choose you need to select the proper size crate for your dog. You may choose a smaller crate for when your dog is a puppy and upgrade to a large crate as your dog grows. Alternately, you may choose a crate that will be the appropriate size when your puppy is full grown. The appropriate size of your crate will depend on the size of your dog. The crate should be large enough that your dog can stand up in side, stretch and turn around.

If you opt to purchase a crate based on the size your dog will be when fully grown, then you will need to block off a portion of the crate while your dog is still a puppy. You want to prevent your puppy from having a crate that is large enough for him to eliminate on one end and sleep at the other. A puppy that has been kept in a large crate can be harder to housetrain because they have not learned not to soil in their living quarters.

After you have selected the proper crate you will be well on your way to successful crate training. If you have concerns about choosing the best crate or about crate training in general, contact your vet or dog breeder. For additional information on crate training, see our article on Crate Training Tips.

Crate training is a common way to teach your puppy the rules of the house and to establish a place that is just for your puppy. While any training can be time consuming and takes effort, crate training is a proven way to teach your puppy the behaviors that are appropriate in your home. Follow these tips to successfully crate train your puppy.

• Choose the appropriate size crate for your puppy. It should be large enough that he can stand up, stretch and sit comfortably. See our article, Selecting a Crate for Your Puppy, for specific information on choosing the best crate for your dog.

• Before you start crate training, give your puppy the opportunity to become accustomed to the crate. If you have purchased a plastic crate or flight kennel, take the top off so that they puppy can go in and out easily. After he has become comfortable with the crate you can put the top back on. If you are using a metal crate, be sure to secure the door in the open position so that it won’t accidently swing closed and scare or hit the puppy.

• You may select a few items to go inside the crate. A blanket or towel on the bottom for comfort is always good. One or two toys are a plus as well. Just be sure they aren’t small enough that they can be swallowed or easily torn apart during play. Any toys that break and any blankets that are soiled should be immediately removed.

• In the beginning, it is best to place the crate in an area that is close to the family. Dogs are most happy when around a “pack”. If possible, move the crate to your bedroom at night. Your puppy will be comforted by your presence and will learn to mimic your sleep patterns.

• To introduce the puppy to his crate, begin by placing a few treats near to and leading into the crate. As your puppy becomes more comfortable with the crate, the treats should be placed further and further to the back.

• After your puppy is comfortable coming in and out of the crate, you will want to begin feeding him near the crate in order to create a pleasant association with the crate. As your puppy becomes accustomed to the crate, you can move the food dish inside the crate. You will then be able to close the door while he is eating.

• Once your dog is comfortable spending a short amount of time in the crate, you will want to increase the time he spends there. Start by having him spend time in the crate while you are home. This will prevent him from associating your absence with being in the crate and will prevent separation anxiety.

• Start by giving him a few treats when he enters the crate. Praise him for doing a good job, close the door and remain within eye site for 5-10 minutes. Then go to another room for a few minutes, return to the puppy and after a few more minutes you may let him out of the crate. Repeat this process several times a day, gradually lengthening the time the dog is left in the crate and that you are out of sight.

• After you reach 30 minutes of time, with the puppy crated while you are in the house, you may begin to leave the puppy for short times. Keep your departure and arrival low key in order to limit his anxiety.

• Be sure that you are giving your puppy ample opportunities to eliminate before and after each training session.

• Don’t leave your puppy in the crate for long periods of time. Crating can be cruel to a dog if he is left inside for extended periods of time. Remember dogs are social and need time to romp, play and socialize with you. If used properly your puppy will view their crate as a safe and happy place.