2. REGISTER WITH A VET

Ask around to find a local vet you feel comfortable with. Seek a vet with a good reputation that likes animals and has modern facilities. Also check the location of the nearest emergency clinic so you know where it is in case you need it

A good clinic will talk you through a puppy shots schedule, deworming, parasite control, and desexing. This is a good test of how helpful they are, and whether you can trust your pup into their care.

3. NEW PUPPY SUPPLIES

Like a new baby, a new puppy comes with a shopping list. Instead of a crib, you need a crate and/or things such as a dog bed (or two), food and water bowls, and a collar and leash.

Things you need for a puppy include:

• Dog bed: Get two, one to use and one as a fill-in when the first needs to get washed

• Bowls: Stainless steel or ceramic, food, and water bowls

• Toys: Choose items the puppy can’t swallow

• Cleaning supplies: Disposable paper, disinfectant, and household gloves

• Crate: To help with potty training

• Treats: A vital part of training

• Food: Puppy food right for your dog’s size and age

• Collar and leash: Get the puppy used to these early

• Brush and comb: Start grooming so the puppy accepts it

4. LEARN ABOUT PUPPY CARE'

You need to understand how a puppy things and learns to truly be caring for a puppy. Seek out reputable sources to read up on raising a puppy.

The more you know, the happier your pup will be.

5.CRATE TRAINING A PUPPY

A crate, like a den, is a safe place for your new puppy. Choose a crate just big enough for the puppy to lie down with their legs outstretched. If you choose one bigger than this, they may toilet in a corner. Place a welcoming bed and a blanket inside, if possible that smells like the dog’s mother.

Never shut a puppy in a crate against their will. Instead, make it a happy place by hiding treats inside. When your puppy sniffs out the goodies, praise them. Feed your puppy inside the crate, so they link it to good things.

Once the puppy is happy to go inside, close the door. Praise the puppy for being calm and open the door again. Slowly extend how long the door is shut and heap praise on the puppy’s head.

If your puppy cries, don’t let them out of the puppy crate as this rewards their noise. Instead, only open the door only when they’re quiet, showing them that calmness is good.

Never use a puppy crate to punish your dog or leave your puppy inside for longer than four hours at a stretch.

6.POTTY TRAINING A PUPPY

It’s important your puppy learns the right place to go to the toilet.

To do this you:

• Prevent indoor accidents

• Offer lots of toilet breaks

• Praise your puppy when they go in the correct place

Watch your puppy like a hawk and limit their chances to pee indoors. If your puppy squats, whisk them straight outside. When you can’t watch your puppy, pop them in the crate.

Offer your puppy a toilet break:

• Every 20-30 minutes

• During walks

• 15 minutes after a meal

• Before playing

• At bedtime

When your puppy squats on the toilet spot, repeat the cue word “toilet” and give your puppy a treat. Repeat this each time your puppy toilets. They’ll quickly link peeing in the right place to getting a reward. Simple!

7.HOW TO STOP BARKING

In an apartment, a puppy barking will disturb your neighbors and make you unpopular. Avoid this by teaching your puppy good habits from the start.

Be careful never to reward your puppy for barking. Unfortunately, shouting at your puppy to be quiet, does this. When your puppy tries those first, exploratory barks, ignore them. If they learn barking isn’t rewarded, it becomes less attractive.

Some breeds are born barkers. Know this and wait for a gap in the barking to distract the dog with a squeaky toy. Then call the dog over and train them to pick up the toy. With a toy in their mouth, they’re less likely to bark. Now, reward them for carrying the toy. Pretty soon, your puppy will learn to pick up a toy instead of woofing.

8.NOT CHEWING YOUR STUFF

Puppies need to chew. The trick is to get them to chew their stuff, not yours.

Puppy proofing is very important, so your puppy doesn’t get their teeth into your shoes, books, or clothes. Next, you’ll need to provide an outlet for your puppy’s need to chew. Give your puppy chew toys or make your own.

Bored puppies are great chewers, so prevent boredom with exercise and play.

9.BASIC COMMANDS

A puppy needs to learn basic commands such as “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, and “Look”.

Sit

Teach “sit” using a treat as a lure. Hold the treat in front of your puppy’s nose. Raise the treat in an arc over the puppy’s head. As they follow the treat, their butt sinks to the floor. As this happens, say “sit” and reward the puppy.

Repeat this often. The puppy will learn what “sit” means and may even do it on their own in anticipation of a reward.

Stay

When teaching “stay”, have the dog sit, then wait a few seconds before giving the reward. Stretch out the time your puppy waits to get a treat.

Label this pause with the cue word “stay”. Once the puppy is able to sit still for one 10.minute, take one step away then return to the puppy’s side.

Add to the distance between you and your pet, gradually stepping further and further away, while your dog stays put.

Come

Teach a young puppy to “come” by running away from them! This triggers their natural instinct to stick with their loved ones, like their mother.

As your puppy runs to catch up, say “come” in an excited voice. Praise your puppy and give a treat when they get to you.

Look

Get your puppy’s attention with a treat. Move the treat in a straight line from the puppy’s eyeline up to the bridge of your nose. As your puppy watches the treat say “look”.

Count to ten, praise your puppy and give them the treat. Extend the time your puppy stares before giving them the reward.

10. WALKING ON A LEASH

Start leash training when you have plenty of time!

Walk forward with your puppy on a leash.

When your puppy runs ahead, change direction and call to your puppy to come. Walk forward, only for as long as the leash stays slack. As soon as puppy pulls, change direction and call to them.

This teaches the puppy that pulling halts progress and gets them nowhere fast. They’ll learn it is quicker to get to an exciting place such as the park, by walking to heel.