Having a puppy at home is like having a mini-human – one that can learn, feel and live a life that humans can only dream of. In addition, they can adapt to the world that is most challenging for young dogs and still grow into an adult dog that is protective, intelligent and friendly, that will not hesitate to bite as occasion demands.
Even though dogs are such fantastic pets, they can sometimes be so curious, energetic, and playful that they may not fit into your lifestyle and routines that well. I know that I have had issues with a dog taking over my life when I was away from home. I wish I had done more to prevent this from happening.
* Puppies need attention. Do not leave them alone to play all day, every day. You need to make sure that they get their daily dose of attention to keep them happy and healthy. They need your constant guidance, whether it be food, treats, affection, or time. While they are young, make sure that you play with them often just to keep them amused and interested in the play.
* When housebreaking, train them so that you can get them to go outside without a problem. It is not enough to have them go outside. You have to get them to go out before you open the door to let them in and wait until they start to whine when they are outside to let them back in, then praise them loudly and with love for doing such a great job.
* When they have to go to the bathroom, make sure that you take them out every hour, and praise them when they finish it. You can use treats to help them along. Make sure that you do not wait until they are done to let them back in, and to praise them afterward.
* When they get a pet trick up their sleeve, like a rollover, let them try it and praise them when they do it correctly.
If you allow your dog access to their crates too often, they may start to view their crates as a prison. This is not something you want to happen.
