Feature: Puppies 101

(Of course, every human, dog and situation is individual and unique. However, IN GENERAL:)

If you are going to invest in a puppy, you would be wise to also invest your time, effort and energy into raising it as properly as possible. Puppies, much like children, do not rear themselves.
You cannot simply toss one into your household (or backyard) and expect it to learn everything you wish it to know all by itself.

You want to do this? Then you want to do it right, do it well, set yourself and your new puppy up for SUCCESS! A good dog starts out as a puppy- a fresh sponge ready to soak up whatever water you give it. Don't you want to provide it with the best, most pure, fresh water you can, instead of polluting it with stress, frustration, inconsistency...?

Things to remember:

1. One baby at a time.
Who else is in your family? Consider the ages, activity levels, abilities and personality types of all family members coming into regular daily contact with this pup. Perhaps you have small children at home and really don't have the time, will or energy to devote to puppy-rearing. Perhaps you work long hours and are more in need of an already well-trained, housebroken older dog, capable of enduring the daily "latch-key" routine. Are there senior citizens in your home? is there a chance of someone stumbling over the puppy and becoming injured, or simply losing patience with an energetic younster?

Bottom line: Do you really have the time, desire, skills, know how, patience, etc... to take on a puppy? The first few months require alot of constant and hands-on attention. Will you be home all day, every day to make the best effort of this that you can? is there someone who can come in periodically to check on and work with puppy if you are unable to?

2. Housebreaking.
The rule of thumb: a puppy can "hold it" for ONE HOUR plus an additional hour for every month he is old. In the typical case, a puppy comes into your home at 8-10 weeks old, this means he can reasonably be expected to "hold it" for two hours, possibly three, but that might be pushing it.
You will be taking "potty breaks" a minimum of every two hours. Look at it this way: for every FOUR WEEKS that you have this pup, you can then add another hour to the length of time you expect him/her to be able to "hold it". Four weeks is a long time when you're thinking in terms of housebreaking. Are you up for that?

Some dogs develop more slowly, and need to be taken out more frequently.
Others are the exception to the rule and might be able to go longer.
Regardless, to encourage good and proper housebreaking habits and be consistent you will be taking this puppy out as soon as he wakes (not just in the morning, but after EVERY nap, and at intervals during the middle of the night for the next several weeks). You will also rush puppy out to potty after every meal, every drink of water, every play session and every chewing* session.
You want to get both of you into practice and into the habit, right? And spare your floors as much as possible.

3. The crate is your best friend.
When you cannot keep your eyes on puppy every moment, he/she should be in the crate.
This limits wandering (and house-soiling), teaches puppy to find a safe place of his/her own to be calm and quiet, reinforces the "don't shit where you eat" instinct. Dogs like cleanliness and would prefer not to soil their sleeping area- your home is going to be a larger version of their "den"- their sleeping/eating/playing area. Your goal is to teach "this place smells used, like home and people- this place is not the potty."

Taking your dog outside to potty, to the same part of the yard every time teaches "This place smells like the potty- this IS the potty."

Use the crate. Use it to your advantage. The crate is your best friend. Feeding puppy in the crate, or encouraging crate time by providing appropriate chew toys*, is highly recommended, in order to associate the crate with good times and pleasant activities.

4. Chewing.
*Structured chewing time should be provided regularly, throughout the day.
Not only is puppy teething, chewing relieves stress and boredom, and provides a calm, quiet activity that encourages healthy teeth and gums and teaches your dog self-soothing, positive, and calming techniques that will enable him/her to be a well-behaved dog.

Puppy should be offered appropriate chew toys every time he/she is crated, whenever you need a break or some "alone time", whenever you see puppy chewing on something that is YOURS and, thus, not a desirable choice for a chew toy, or any other time puppy seems to be exhibiting a need for an emotional outlet.

5. The "Umbilical" Method
This is an easy way to incorporate leash-training, teach commands, and capitalize on your dog's natural ability to follow you. It is also an easy way to know where puppy is at all times. Simply attach a leash to puppy's collar, and fasten the other end to your waist/belt. Puppy is now connected you for the day. Every time you sit down, you can start to say "sit" so that puppy associates the word with the activity you're doing. Similarly, when you get up to leave the room, rouse the dog and encourage it to come with you. "Come!" or "Let's go!" are just a few suggested cues you might use at this time.
Now you know where puppy is all of the time- he/she can't wander away from you and soil your carpet in secret! Plus, you're encouraging puppy's habit of focusing on YOU!

These are just a few of the necessary and required basics of rearing a puppy.