 Read about bringing your puppy home, puppy proofing, crate training, house training, puppy health, and more.
 Puppy Primer
Puppies can be so overwhelming! But research and preparation can make a hectic event into a wondrous occasion.
So you're thinking of getting a puppy. Or perhaps you accidently fell in love and ended up with this furball and you're wondering what to do. If puppies are new to you, this article could be invaluable.
Should You Get A Puppy?Getting an animal is a lifelong commitment. You must make sure that your dog is healthy and happy. Here are some things to consider:
Puppies are expensive. They require food, toys, regular check-ups, and not to mention emergency vet bills from accidents or illness. Can you realistically afford a dog?
Puppies make messes. They will almost undoubtedly eliminate in your house in the training process. Can you handle puppy poop on your carpet?
Dogs and puppies love to chew. Could you risk your antique furniture untill you know your dog is trained?
Puppies need training. Most behavioral issues in dogs stems from lack of training and socialization. Are you willing to learn how to properly train a dog, or pay for someone else to do it? If not, consider getting an adult dog that is already trained.
Dogs are not independent like cats. Dogs need love, companionship, playtime and exercise -- they need time. Puppies especially need to be supervized, and they will likely keep you up at night for awhile. If you are hardly ever home, who will look after your dog?
Are you a good match for a yorkie or a lab? Make sure the pup you pick is a good breed for you. Speak to breeders and research temperaments, size and energy levels.
All dogs go to heaven. All dogs pass on, hopefully from old age, but sometimes suddenly. It could even be necessary to euthanize your pet, in fairness to the animal. Could you handle the anguish of saying good-bye to your dog?
Any good dog owner knows that these issues can be dealt with efficiently if you have the dedication and knowledge. And I don't know any dog lover whose dog has passed on, and didn't say it was worth it ten-fold.
 Picking a Healthy Puppy
A healthy dog means a lot loss headache and worry. Of course, there is much you can do to keep a dog healthy, but it's crucial for them to have a good healthy foundation. Sickly pups need someone who is prepared specifically for it's illness or injury.
Check out the facility. There are a number of places you can pick up a puppy including the pound, pet stores, dog breeders, and private owners. (Occasionally one might find a stray pup, but please take it to the pound before adopting so it has a chance of being reunited with its family). You can tell a lot about the care and treatment of animals by inspecting the place where they come from. Is it clean? Does it smell bad? Is it overcrowded? Do the other dogs look friendly and cared for? Don't be afraid to ask questions and poke around! Of course all puppies are lovable, but sickly pups need proper and knowledgable care.
Inquire about mommy and daddy. If the parents have an illness, it's quite possible it has been passed to the pups. Have a look at the mother if you can. Is she bright eyed and bushy tailed? Ask about her health and any injuries she may have had. If the animal is registered, you can research the bloodline quite easily. Of course it's not always possible to track down the parents, especially the father, but it never hurts to inquire.
Use Common Sense! Look at the puppy and look for signs of illness or injury. Here's some things to look out for: loose or hard stool, limping, runny nose, bleeding or inflamed gums, dull eyes, lethargy, limping, dry skin or bald patches, excess scratching, stiffness, poor appetite, swollen glands, coughing. Keep in mind that most puppies need deworming, so inquire about what treatments (if any) the puppies have already been given.
If In Doubt, Get a Vet Check. You should always take your animal to the vet when you first bring it home for shots and deworming, but it also never hurts to vet check the animal before deciding to adopt.
Bringing Your Pup Home
Here are some things you can do to prepare for the big day.
Set up a Puppy Pen.. It is often a good idea to restrict your pup to part of a room with food, water and a bed untill it is properly trained. It is best if this room has easy to clean floors. You can use a baby gate to partition an area off, or get an exercise pen. If the puppy is really young, you may consider putting a hot water bottle under a blanket to keep it warm.
Choose a Washroom Site. You must decide where you want your dog to eliminate. If you live in a place where you can't run outside every hour (like an apartment), you'll need to set up a spot in its puppy pen with newspaper until the dog is old enough to control it's urges. Make sure you have lots of newspaper!
Make a Trip to the Pet Store. Your pup will need many soft chew toys, food and water dishes, a collar and leash (make sure the collar fits) puppy chow, and perhaps a crate or tether. You will likely need to buy bigger and bigger collars until the dog is fully grown, especially if it's a large breed. Speak to the owner to see what the pup has been eating so you can gradually switch the food, or keep buying the same one.
Puppy Proof. Remove anything that the dog can chew or choke on and put it in a safe place. Don't leave food on a low coffee table. Make sure that the pup cannot knock over any garbages. Close off closets. Put electical cords safely behind furniture or put them in tubing. Move any poisonous plants, pesticides, medicines, and cleaners. Get down on puppy level and see what might be a hazard, and move it.
The Ride Home. Will you bring the puppy home in your lap or in a crate? Either way, bring a towel, as puppies pee when they are nervous. When you get home, take her to her puppy pen, and then show her where the bathroom is. Make sure there is food and water available. The pup will be homesick and miss its mother and siblings for a while, so it is important to make him/her feel comfortable. At this point, don't let the pup cry by itself for very long, or the world will seem like a nasty and mean place.
Primer on Puppy Training
At this young age, puppies are very impressionable, and they need a good solid foundation of love, discipline, socialization, nutrition, and exercise (much like children!). First thing you must remember is that training is REPETITION, and you need a LOT of patience! Don't expect it all in the first few weeks! And take care not to confuse or overwhelm the little one. There is much to learn about training and socialization, but these tips can help start you off.
Toilet Training From day one, you must teach your puppy where to eliminate. Every time you see him/her circling, sniffing, or squatting, take the pup to its pee spot. Every time he/she wakes from a nap or finishes a meal, take it to the pee spot. Every time the pup uses the pee spot, give enthusiastic praise. Repeat, repeat, repeat. When the puppy goes somewhere else, pick it up and take her/him to the spot. It is as simple as that. Don't yell or get angry, because the puppy really doesn't know it is doing anything wrong, and you'll just frighten it. Remember, this is much like toilet training a child. Don't get discouraged if it takes weeks or months to get it right, and praise even the slightest sign of improvement. If you persist with this routine every time you see the signs, soon you will have a toilet trained pup!
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