The decision to get a puppy is not something to be taken lightly. An adorable puppy can, and does tug at your heart, but, in the end will require significant investment of your time and money for years. Socializing and training a new puppy is time consuming and can be frustrating. In the US, millions of dogs are euthanized because inexperienced owners don't understand the importance of training and socialization for the first year of that puppies life.

That being said, the benefits of growing up with a dog has many rewards. Studies have shown that children with pets have higher self-esteem, improved social skills, and are more popular with their peers. They learn nurturing skills, as well as showing improved empathy and have a more caring attitude. There is also evidence that shows that pet ownership may help non-verbal communication.

Pet ownership also has a beneficial effect on family harmony. Research shows families spend a lot more time interacting after the acquisition of a pet. Pets provide a focus for fun activities and friendly conversation. The relaxation and relief from stress provided by animal companionship also yields measurable health benefits for parents. Pet owners have a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, fewer minor illnesses and complaints, and visit the doctor less often than their ‘petless’ counterparts.

Owning a dog can be a delightful family experience. Children learn to interact with and take responsibility for the health and well-being of the dog. However, while the ownership of a dog may have enormous benefits for the child, parents need to teach children how to behave around dogs so they can have a safe and enjoyable relationship.

Ok, you have now decided that a puppy is the right pet for you and your family, and you are now prepared to bring your new puppy home, but are you really prepared? We have compiled the following articles and links to prepare you for your new puppy:

BEFORE YOU BRING YOUR NEW PUPPY HOME

1. You need to puppy proof you home: http://www.cyberpet.com/dogs/articles/lexi/pupproof.htm

2. Puppies love to chew electrical cords, and this can result in serious injury or even death. We suggest you run all electrical cords through PVC Piping before bringing your new puppy home. 

3. To prevent your inquisitive puppy from getting behind your furniture, under coffee and end tables, or area's of a room you deem off limits, purchase the plastic carpet runners, cut to size and lay down with pointy side up.

4. Check for poisonous plants and household chemicals:

http://www.sniksnak.com/plants-toxic.html  List of Toxic Plants (Canine)

http://www.healthy-dogs.net/poisoncatsdogs.htm  List of Household chemicals and poisons

http://wwwrecycledelnorte.ca.gov/hazardous.html#comm  Common Household Chemicals and poisons.

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/index.html   Cornell University Poisonous Plants Informational Data base

5.  Supplies needed before bringing your puppy home:  http://www.cyberpet.com/dogs/articles/lexi/pupprep.htm  

http://healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?ID=84&sid=1  

Pet First Aid Kit

6.  Purchase a Quality food and supplements. Go to our "Feeding for Health" page for further information on quality foods and supplements.

7. Safe toys for your puppy: http://www.dogparlor.com/article28.html  

Kong Stuffing Pointers http://www.sfspca.org/behavior/dog_library/kong_stuffing.pdf  

BRINGING YOUR NEW PUPPY HOME

1. Pattern for your puppies first day in your home: http://www.cyberpet.com/cyberdog/articles/lexi/pospup.htm

2. Introducing your children and new puppy: http://www.cyberpet.com/cyberdog/articles/lexi/kidpup.htm

3. Introducing the new puppy to an older dog: http://www.newfdogclub.org/Pubs/nkh/kkh_docs/hkkh_33_intro_dogs.htm

4. Introducing the new puppy to cats: http://www.dog.com/information/intropup.asp

5. Puppies First Week Home: http://www.cyberpet.com/cyberdog/articles/lexi/firstweek.htm  

FEEDING YOUR NEW PUPPY

1.  Feeding Puppy:  http://www.writedog.com/feeding-puppy.html  

2. How much food should you give per feeding? We suggest as much food as your puppy can consume within a 20 minute period.

3. How to avoid creating a picky eater.

a) Feed 3 times a day, avoid free feeding.
b) When you first bring puppy home its not unusual for the puppy not to eat for the first day. Do not give treats or hand feed your puppy its kibble to encourage it to eat. Your new puppy will eat when it starts to feel more comfortable in its new surroundings.

c) Do not mix table scraps or treats in its meal.

d) Minimize giving treats or healthy human table scraps (carrots, green beans, apples etc) unless during training sessions or After your puppy has finished its meal.

e) If the puppy does not finish its food within 20 minutes, pick it up and do not offer any food until its next mealtime. No treats to be given in between meals.

f) Avoid switching foods too often. This human habit tends to create picky eaters.

4. How to avoid Food Aggression: http://www.geocities.com/Augusta/2525/posses.htm

TAKING YOUR PUPPY TO THE VET

Most breeders require that you take the puppy to the vet within 48 hrs. This can be scary for your new puppy, so its important to make the puppies visits as pleasurable as possible:

How to avoid problems at the vets: http://www.nwk9.com/article_veterinary_terrorist.htm  

Intestinal Parasites: http://www.acacanines.com/intestinal_parasites.htm

HOUSEBREAKING

Housebreaking can be as easy or as difficult as you make it. The number one rule is never leave your puppy unattended and always be consistent.

CRATE TRAINING

Crate Training is a great tool in helping to prevent soiling in the house or to help prevent destruction of your home while teething. It also provides your puppy with safe secure area when it needs its rest. Crates are NOT TO BE USED FOR PUNISHMENT!!! And the crate is only to be used for short periods of time or is to be used for bedtime. IF you work, and you are going to be gone for more than 3 hrs at a given time, it is best that you provide your puppy with a large room or a secure area in your yard with adequate protection.

PUPPY BITING

Puppy Biting is normal  behavior for all puppies!

Chewing

Chewing is a normal behavior for all puppies!

My puppy keeps chewing What Do I Do?

http://www.doglogic.com/apdtfaqs.htm#MyPuppyKeepsChewing   

Teething

Chewing increases when your new puppy starts to teeth. The following article explains what happens during teething, and also an article that offers some relief for your teething puppy:

PUPPY EAR CARE

Puppies need to have their ears cleaned at least once a week, but, you must be gentle. The following article explains the importance proper early ear care.

Ear Support

Some breeds require some form of support to ensure that their ears "set properly".
Ear Support (Glue): http://www.selah1.homestead.com/ears.html

Brushing your Dogs Teeth

http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2004/2/prweb104787.htm 

Brush your dogs teeth to keep them healthy   http://www.catndoghospital.com/teethbrush.htm How to brush your dogs teeth

BATHING YOUR PUPPY

Puppies should only be bathed when they are dirty. Too much bathing will dry out their skin which can cause them to scatch and lead to secondary skin infections.

Frequent bathing can cause dry skin: http://www.ahsc.arizona.edu/opa/health/skinprev.html

Frequent bathing can cause dry skin 2: http://www.nsigniadobermans.net/puppy.htm  

BRUSHING YOUR PUPPY

Brushing your puppy at least once every other day prevents matting and helps to keep the skin and coat in healthy condition.

The importance of regular brushing (scroll down for article)

http://www.thepamperedpuppy.net/puppytips/ Combs and brushes for your dog:

http://www.petplace.com/articles/artPrinterFriendly.asp?all=1&conID=22041

Foot and Nail Care

STOOL EATING (Coprophagy)

SUBMISSIVE URINATION

Submissive urination is common among dogs under the age of 2 yrs, approximately 1 out of 10 dogs are affected:

Submissive urination 2: http://www.clickandtreat.com/webart105.htm

NAMES

The first question to answer when bringing a new puppy home is "What shall we call him--or her?" The following links offer guidelines and suggestions to help pet owners come up with that perfect name for their new family companion. For instance, what is the canine's type and character? (It would be plain silly, for example, to name a Great Dane Fluffy; or to call a male of any breed, Brenda). But yu might want to make a fashion statement, or say something about yourself when you name that pooch. (for instance, a music lover might bless his puppy with a name like Beethoven or Vavaldi.)

List of Dog Names and Meanings/Definitions:

http://www.mypuppy-dog-names.com/german-dog-names.htm  German Names and Definitions

http://www.name-meanings.com/german_name_meanings.php  German Names and Meanings

http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/names/natamnames.htm Native American Dog Names

http://www.name-meanings.com/gaelic_name_meanings.php Gaelic Names and Meanings

http://www.uaf.edu/anlc/dognames.html Native Alaskan Names and Meanings

http://www.cfimages.com/Baby/Names/girlsa.html Names and Definitions (human names comprise of 65% of dogs named)

http://www.dogomania.com/names/type/music.shtml Names associated with music

http://www.dogomania.com/names/type/cartoon.shtml Names associated with Cartoons

http://www.doggynames.com/single/index.html Search for the meaning of your dogs name

http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/names/naturenames.htm   Nature Names

http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/names.htm The largest selection of dog name