Complete Puppy Training

There are many things you should consider about getting a puppy before you start worrying about house training your puppy. Even though your kids want a puppy and all your neighbors have dogs, you have some serious things to consider. After all, you want this to be a positive experience not a 4-footed nightmare you're going to give to the animal shelter down the road.

Here are 5 things you need to know before you commit to buying a dog:

1. Puppies need a lot of time and attention.

Having a puppy is like having a 2-year-old. Until they are trained, they require almost constant supervision. After they are trained, they still require supervision until they are older... much older. If you can't be with them all day, you may want to consider having two dogs (and keep them kenneled safely outside while you are away from home.) Or you can even check out puppy day care centers to see what they're all about.

2. Puppies need training, and so do your children.

Many people give up their dogs because they have behavior problems - such as barking constantly or not becoming fully house broken. The owners didn't realize that puppies need training, or didn't make a consistent effort to train the puppy.

Dogs are not independent, like cats, and need to be taught proper behavior. Consider enrolling puppy in training classes or learn how to train the puppy yourself. If you have children, they need to take the classes with the puppy so they can learn how to interact with the new family pet. Failing at house training your puppy is not an option.

3. Puppies can cost you money.

Ok - this isn't unreasonable, but you need to be prepared to add your puppy into your budget. You will have many expenses, especially when you first get your new puppy. They need toys, bones, shots, registrations with the state, and don't forget the food, dog houses, collars, clothes (no really - it's a big business - you'll be tempted!) vet bills, and training.

Dogs are one of the most expensive pets around. Most puppies are part of the family - and will cost you like part of the family. Don't go into this venture thinking they're cheap.

4. Puppies grow into big dogs.

I know it's obvious - but you need to be sure you know how big your dog will be. If you have young children, your puppy may outweigh them within 6 months. Do the research so you know how big your cute little puppy will be when he's a dog, and whether your home and yard can accommodate that size.

5. Dogs need exercise.

And people need exercise - so this can actually be an advantage if handled properly. Puppies need room to run and play. They need to need toys to play with, but they also need people to play with. If you lead a very sedentary lifestyle, be sure you pick a dog breed that is low activity.

The larger the dog, the more room and exercise they need. You will probably need to walk your dog several times a week. Be sure and plan that into your schedule now - or you may find your puppy running around the house all day getting into mischief when he could be taking a nap after playing with you.

Owning a dog can be a very rewarding experience - even if this is your first puppy. But there are things to consider before you even consider house training your puppy. Your dog will become one of the family and be a faithful companion for life. Be prepared for your new puppy, and it will be a great adventure for both of you.

"Bringing puppy home"... it has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Yet it also makes you a little nervous. The puppy is going to be the newest member of your household and you want to make sure the little guy is comfortable.

Consider that the pup has just left his mom and siblings and is going to be a little lonely. So, whenever he is awake he will seek company and a caring touch. If you are not going to be able to provide these crucial elements at the start when he needs you most, maybe you need to reschedule the 'bringing home' event.

In the meantime do some research on what kind of an attitude you need to have and how you can care for your puppy. One thing you can expect when a new pup comes to your home is restlessness and whimpering, but you can minimize this discomfort. Let's take a look how.

1.  Do not bring a pup home that is less than two months old. The puppy needs to be with his mother until it is 8 weeks old. He needs the nourishment, the security and the sense of identity that comes from being nursed by his mother.

2.  Decide on the means of transport. He's a puppy remember, so treat him tenderly, gently. Bring him home as comfortably as possible. The puppy has probably never been in a car before so that will be a new and possibly scary experience for him. Your best bet is a small dog crate with a blanket where he can feel secure and with some dog toys so he has something new to explore. If you can put the crate on the seat next to you, all the better. You can talk to him and he can see you.

3.  Introduce the puppy to your home. Carry the puppy around so he can get familiar with all the new smells. Introduce him to the rest of your family, but make sure they don't overwhelm him. Let them and the pup get acquainted with each other.

4.  Place his crate/bed in an area of the house where he can see what's going on. This will depend on the rules of your house. Some people prefer to have the pup in their bedroom; others would have him in their living room or laundry room.

No matter where you put him, your task is to spend time bonding with him, caressing him, talking to him, letting him know everything is okay. You should name him as soon as possible and immediately start taking him outside whenever you think he might need to relieve itself.

5.  Find out what he has been eating at the breeder's. He should have been weaned off the mother's milk and onto solid foods before you brought him home. If you could continue the same brand of dog food, that would be great for puppy's tummy. You can eventually slowly change brands if you'd like.

6.  The pup will need to relieve himself during the night. If you can, get up a few times when your puppy is restless (not while he is whining) and take him out to take care of business.  You can spread newspapers in the crate, or use a pad meant for puppy to pee on.

The first night or two with your new puppy means not much sleep for you, what with the whimpering and the waking up. And frankly, "bringing puppy home" won't have quite as nice a ring to it in the middle of the night. But it won't take too long for your puppy to adjust and for you both to be happy with your decision.

Puppies are a lot like children. They love toys. They love things to play with. So let's talk
about toys for puppies here.

Dogs grow older but they never really grow up do they? I mean, they are always willing to play and they always enjoy having toys to play with.

There are so many different varieties of toys on the market for dogs that it can often be quite difficult to know what to buy.

All puppies love to chew, and that's why most of the toys for puppies are chewable. So you can't go wrong if you pick a chew toy. Just make sure it's the correct size for your pup. Most labeling will tell you what size dog the chew toy is suitable for so it's easy to choose. Also, know the nature of your pet. If she's a chew and chew until the toy is destroyed kind of dog, like mine is, then you want a well-made toy, by a reputable company, that is featured as "indestructible."

Some dogs prefer to play fetch with the dog toy. In this case, purchase something that is easy for you to throw, is not small so the dog won't choke on it, and is not so big your pup can't get her mouth around it to bring it back.

Other puppies like the ones with squeakers and greatly enjoy making it squeak while they run around with it and throw it in the air.

Many dogs also like to have their own possessions and a stuffed animal made for dogs is ideal. It can be their security blanket to carry around when you're not home.

A good toy can keep a puppy amused for hours when she is younger, and as she grows older she will have learned to spend time on her own without feeling anxious or getting into mischief.

A good place to look for toys for puppies is an online store because you'll have a good selection to choose from and you can read any positive or negative feedback about any of them before you purchase. Take a look at Amazon to see what you think will keep your dog amused...