Dixie takes her owner for a drag every morning and sometimes darts out the door for a romp on her own. Sassy, Tiger, Misty, and Dixie are prime candidates for surrender to an animal shelter. The first six months after puppy comes home are critical in shaping the relationship between puppy and family. Thus a trip to the shelter or rescue group with a tale of woe and a plea to find this good dog but he . . . Much of the early problems in puppy training occur because of the persistence of an old belief that dogs are not ready for training until they are six months old.
Puppies are ready to learn when they are born.
Training merely formalizes the learning so that the family and the puppy can get along and build a bond that lasts a lifetime. The trick is to teach appropriate behaviors and squelch inappropriate behaviors so that Sassy or Tiger becomes the dog of your dreams faithful, well-mannered, playful, obedient, a joy to live with and brag about. New puppy care is relatively easy if tiring. Just get the little guy outside to relieve himself, feed him three times a day, and put him in the crate to sleep. He doesn't really need a leash because he can't run fast enough to get away, he's fun to play with because he'll chase the ball and act ferocious, he's ready to lick your face at a moment's notice, and he's sooooo cute when he's asleep.