Raising a puppy is a very rewarding experience, but to do it right takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Here’s a bit of a guide to making puppy raising as easy and successfully as possible. More will be added periodically, I just wanted to get the basics out there. This will eventually be a pamphlet/book and much more neatly organized.

Before you bring your puppy home:

Learn about puppy development: Do you know what fear periods are or when to expect them? When will the puppy start having hormonal changes? Learn about how your puppy is going to develop.

Choose the right puppy: Consider your lifestyle, living space, and activity level when selecting a breed. If you’re buying a puppy from a breeder, make sure they’re ethical. Here are some things to consider.

Choose how you’ll train the puppy: there are a lot of training ideologies, but here’s the basic ones. I personally am LIMA-leaning balanced (more on why I’m not purely positive/force free here).

Puppy-proof your home: Remove hazards like electrical cords and toxic plants. Set up a crate and a designated feeding area. Baby gates and exercise pens are invaluable. Heres some more ideas

Gather supplies: Stock up on treats and food, collar and leash, bed, toys and chews, and cleaning products. Start here

Early weeks and months:

Establish a routine, but don’t stick to it so strictly that the dog cannot handle if something changes. More about routines here

Potty training: Be patient and consistent with potty training, use a lot of positive reinforcement when successful. Take puppy out very regularly, set a timer. Here’s our potty training guide

Crate training: Something that will help with almost everything else is crate training! From potty training to preventing destructive behavior, the crate can be a godsend. Here’s a guide to get you started.

Socialization: Expose your puppy to different people, animals, and environments in a safe and controlled way. Puppy does not need to meet everyone or go to dog parks. More on socialization here

Basic obedience training: Sit, down, up, stay, back up, leave it. More on training obedience here.

Loose lead walking: Get the leash foundations down as early as possible! Don’t let bad habits form to begin with. Here’s a good guide

Manage chewing and biting: These habits are hard to break but it’s doable with some guidance

Provide enough exercise and mental stimulation: Your puppy is going to need to go on walks, have playtime, and get mental stimulation in a variety of ways. Here’s some ideas.

Offer healthy food: Choose a high-quality puppy food and treats appropriate for your breed and age. Remember, pricey does not mean quality.

Bond through time together: play time, adventures, training, and sports are a few options to build a relationship. For some general bonding tips, check here

Positive reinforcement: Let the dog tell you what is most rewarding. Try a variety of treats, toys, praise styles, and actions (if you walk nicely, I’ll let you stop and sniff). More on the role of positive reinforcement here

Be patient and consistent: Training is a long journey, so you may as well enjoy the ride and make it as smooth as possible. Take it one step at a time and stay consistent. Tips on this are available here

Remember, every puppy is unique. Adapting these tips to your individual puppy’s needs and temperament will help ensure a happy and well-adjusted dog. Here are some thoughts on unique training for unique dogs.

Keep your dogs motivated by figuring out their motivation and keeping them enthusiastic

Don’t forget to set them up for success!