It would be convenient if we could look into a catalog and send an order form listing our particular desires and requirements and receive the ideal puppy perfectly suited to our lifestyle. It’s not that simple. A new pet is usually acquired as a gift or because we fell in love with a cute little face in a pet shop window. Sometimes the adult size of this new puppy is not even considered. Whatever the breed, size, or temperament your new puppy may be, it will need to be protected and cared for as it adjusts to living with a new family. No matter how sweet and lovable, it will undoubtedly present you with a few special problems. Hopefully, I can help you cope with these problems when they occur.

These instructions are not intended to show you how to obedience train your puppy, that is, to train it to respond to commands. Instead, they are intended to help you through the first weeks with your new family member. I will also attempt to explain why dogs develop bad habits during puppyhood. First, I will give you four very important rules to abide by:

1. Take all health and feeding problems to your veterinarian. He or she is qualified. No one else has the training or experience to help you in this area. Your puppy should be examined within one week after its arrival in your house. On your first visit to the vet, take a stool specimen to be examined for internal parasites. Also take any record of previous vaccinations to help your veterinarian schedule a vaccination program.

2. Protect your puppy from physical or emotional trauma during the first weeks. Purchase a crate (Figures 31 and 32) or exercise pen (resembles a playpen) (Figures 28 and 29) that your puppy can rest in or retreat to when things become too hectic. It not only protects your puppy from being stepped on, but also protects your belongings. Adopting a puppy is very much like adopting a small child. It must not only be kept warm and fed, but also observed constantly or contained in a safe area where it cannot eat harmful substances or fall and be injured. You would never leave a small child unattended in your home––do not do it with your new puppy.

3. Do not allow small children to carry the puppy. Dropping the puppy can break its bones. Have the child sit on the floor (not a chair or couch, from which the puppy can fall), then place the puppy on the child’s lap. Encourage gentleness, and keep these sessions reasonably short. Soon puppy and child will both look forward to these special times together. I find that children derive a great deal of pleasure from picking a name for the puppy that they alone will use. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the name everyone else uses for the dog. It makes a very special bond between the children and their new friend. I have found that children can use this name over and over without causing the dog to be confused. The adults in the family will use the dog’s real name, and it will learn that it should always respond to this name. For instance, my dog’s name is "Fella." He is trained to respond only to this name. The kids’ play name is "Feely." He loves this play name and knows he is not being trained when we use it. It’s our playtime name. It works beautifully.