Prepare your kids by teaching them what to expect and what changes must happen before you bring the new puppy home.
Puppies
Puppies! What could be cuter than a roly-poly bundle of fluff who wants to be loved?
When you bring a puppy home, you start with a blank slate.
You are responsible for turning that cute ball of fluff into a well-mannered dog.
Use DogsBestLife.com’s Puppy 101 guide, to get your puppy started on the right paw.
Puppy-proof your home: Puppies are notoriously curious, adventurous and sometimes downright mischievous, so it’s crucial to prepare. Puppy-proof your house to make it safe for your puppy.
Start puppy socialization immediately: Puppy socialization helps dogs learn to respond positively to problems and challenges by demonstrating appropriate behavior.
Understand your puppy's growth timeline: By knowing what to expect at different ages and stages, you can be prepared as the owner to plan for training and socialization activities.
Puppy potty training: Start puppy potty training techniques early. Old thinking suggested owners wait until the dog was 12 weeks old. New thinking recommends starting sooner.
Stop puppy biting: Work with your dog and use four simple tips to eliminate puppy biting: discipline, distraction, firm commands, and no rough play.
Train your puppy to walk on a leash: Keep puppy walks short and fun. Be patient. Take the time and make an effort now, and you will never dread walking your dog.
Stop puppy jumping: Break your puppy's jumping habit with the sit-stay command. Use positive reinforcement training to get good canine behavior.
Aggressive puppy warnings: Never excuse or ignore the behavior of an aggressive puppy! Without help, there is little doubt an aggressive puppy will become a dangerous dog!
How to avoid new puppy health scares: Dos and don’ts
Use our list of dos and don’ts to protect your puppy from health scares to ensure your dog lives a long, healthy life.
Is it better to have two dogs?
If you plan to leave your dog during the day while you are at work, it may be better to have two dogs so that they can keep each other company.
5 simple tricks to train your puppy to stop biting
Work with your dog and use simple tips to stop a puppy from biting: discipline, distraction, firm commands, and no rough play.
Is now the right time to add a dog or puppy to your family?
Right time to add a dog: Are you prepared to care for a pet? If you are not ready to make that commitment, you are not ready for a pet.
How do you teach a puppy it’s OK to spend time alone?
Train your puppy to enjoy alone time using a confined space and enrichment. Discover what motivates your dog to make training easier.
Big or small dog? Which is the right choice for you?
Consider your home, time, energy and finances when you decide whether to adopt a big or small dog. Big dogs eat more, need more exercise.
When do dogs stop growing? How big will your dog get?
Wondering how big your dog will get? Start by analyzing its paws. If its paws appear too big for its body at 16 weeks, it will grow bigger.
5 tips for creating a healthy meal plan for your dog
When creating a healthy meal plan for your dog, consider the nutrients your dog needs based on its age and activity level.
11 things you should know before you adopt a dog
Before you adopt a dog, be sure you’re ready for the responsibility. Use this 11-tip guide to help you decide.
