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So you've decided to bring a new puppy into your family. Congratulations! Now that the celebration is out of the way... do you really know what you are getting into? Are you prepared for the lack of sleep, the constant attention, the misunderstandings, the persistent chewing, the messes on the floor, and all that goes with having a new little out-of-control furry creature in your life?

Don't worry! It's not all bad.

Actually it's all very good, and puppy parenting can be extremely rewarding. However, it can also be mentally and physically draining if you don't take time for yourself while raising a puppy. Here are a few tips on how to get your breaks and keep your sanity.

Routine

Life might seem chaotic right now with your new puppy going a mile a minute, around and around in circles, up and over in a whirlwind of activity. In reality, your puppy really wants and needs routine. In many ways, puppies are like children. Children need rules and…

Did you adopt Lassie or the Tasmanian Devil? While a new puppy is cute and cuddly, things can go crazy fast! Before you know it, you can have a mini-tornado on your hands; a whirling dervish of chewing and biting and furniture stuffing flying and shoes left in tatters.  For new pet owners, stopping puppies from chewing things can be a challenge.

Puppies love to bite and chew whatever they can find. It's no wonder, since from birth it's a major part of their lifestyle and communication. A new puppy will play around biting other puppies and their parents all day long. It's how they have fun, it's how they learn what's what, and it's how they learn their limits. It's not surprising, then, that your little puppy wants to chew on your things, and you, too.

There are a number of things you can do stop puppies from chewing and to encourage them to curb this behavior without deterring the puppy's playful nature, or the need to chew. When your puppy is tryin…

Bringing a new puppy home is a fun time for all. Lots of excitement for both your puppy and your family.  The kids are going to be thrilled to have such a fun, furry friend and the parents are excited to have a playmate for the family. Then reality hits. Soon, it becomes clear that puppies and kids don't always mix.

Don't stress. You can help the kids and the new puppy become friends, but first you must learn how the pack relates. Yes, there is a 'pack' now in your family.

The Leader

In most cases, one parent will become the dominant 'leader' of the pack according to your puppy. You will be seen as the boss and the puppy will look to you for commands. You will use this to your advantage during training and positioning the pack.

The Siblings

As for the kids, to your puppy they are equals.  Your puppy may feel they have some control over their 'equals.' This means the puppy will most likely treat them like he or she would other pu…

You have welcomed your new puppy home. Your new fuzzy family member is a little confused, a lot excited, and not one bit obedient. Of course, that's to be expected. Your puppy will be spending a lot of time doing whatever comes natural, including going potty, chewing, digging, jumping, running, biting, and barking.

How do you help your puppy become a well-adjusted member of the family? With training, of course. There are many tools available today to help you train your puppy. The following are some of the most common training tools for puppies.

Treats

A well-known favorite in puppy training is puppy treats. Have treats handy at all times in order to get your puppy to respond quickly to commands. Puppies love treats and most respond very well when they know they'll receive one as a reward for doing as you ask. Be sure to give treats that are appropriate for a puppy.  Large bones or treats are too much.  Treats are good positive reinforcement…

Years ago, obedience school used to be for the pedigree class of dogs only. Now, with the popularity of training classes at large pet supply stores, every dog can have his day.  These classes have brought the obedience school way of thinking to the forefront for dog owners at every level.  Here is an overview of what obedience, or training, school for your puppy can mean for you, and your puppy:

What is Obedience School

Obedience school is a place that pet owners take their puppies to teach them how to behave properly. Some schools will enroll the puppy and train them, while other schools enroll both the puppy and the pet owner in order to teach both how to properly behave.

Where do you find Obedience Schools

If you are interested in obedience school, you're going to want to know where you can find a good, reputable school to enroll your beloved furry friend.  Here are a few suggestions:

 Veterinarian's Office – Ask your…

It's no secret that puppies love to play! They seem to have boundless energy and are on the constant lookout for something fun to play with. Toys are a great way to help you play with your puppy, or to distract them while you take a little break.

Here are a few types of puppy toys for learning to consider buying for your puppy to distract, train, and just have fun:

Stuffed Toys

You'll find many stuffed toys that are shaped in all sorts of amusing critters and objects. These are great play toys especially for puppy because they are soft and give puppy something to sink those tiny little baby teeth into while offering a cuddly factor. Be aware of broken seams and stuffing coming out.  Do not give them children''s stuffed toys, especially ones with plastic eyes.  Sooner or later a child's toy will be claimed by a puppy but be careful.  Hunting dogs especially will rip regular stuffed animals apart and they especially like the eyes, which…

There’s nothing like the first day home with your adorable pup with all the snuggles and cuteness overload.  While they do spend most of their day sleeping, the other half of the day is making all kinds of messes!  When adopting a puppy, it is important to take that into consideration and even better, how to prevent those messes.

Close Bathroom Doors

Puppies are enamored with trash cans and toilets, and both happen to be readily available in your bathroom.  A bathroom is a place full of new smells and particularly their human’s smells so of course, it’s a place a puppy wants to visit constantly.  If the door is left open, you can almost guarantee your bathroom will be covered in ripped-up tissue and anything else that was in the trash.  The appeal of the toilet bowl is something else.  It’s like an oversized drinking bowl for puppies and even some adult dogs. 

Tampons in particular can be deadly to dogs. They do no…