Looking after a puppy is a very time consuming pastime and can involve a lot of hard work and stress. You obviously need to consider whether you can afford the time and patience to dedicate to a pup before purchasing, but having done this you will no doubt find the task of puppy care very involving and rewarding.

Most breeders agree to release their pups at around the 7 week old stage. So you need to be aware that the pup is not going to have been away from it's litter mates before, and will probably still been with it's mother as little as 3 weeks ago, so be prepared for some initial nerves when you get it home.

One of the best ways to acclimatise a new pup, is to ask the breeder to provide you with something containing the scent of both the mother, and litter mates, a blanket usually does the trick. It is important to always keep in mind how much of an upheaval has taken part in the little pups short life, by coming to live with you, so do try to be as patient as possible.

Pups at 7/8 weeks will normally be on 3 or four meals a day, consisting of an early morning feed, a midday feed and an evening feed. This does not always fit in with everyone's lifestyle but do remember it will only be for a short time and any drastic change to the pups routine will only help to upset it more. You MUST make time for the pup.

As the pup reaches 8 to 10 weeks it will be ready for it's first inoculation. Some vets vary as to what age they will administer the first jab, so it is a good idea to contact your vet as soon as you purchase the puppy. The vet will give your pup a general examination of health on your first visit and after the second jab is given your pup will be ready to see the big wide world it is about to grow up in.

It is EXTREMELY important not to exercise your pup too often during the crucial developing period between 3 to eight months, too much exercise will stop the pups bones from forming properly and thus cause the dog problems such as arthritis in later life,. This is not to say you should not exercise the pup at all, but you will tend to find pups will give themselves plenty of exercise themselves by playing.

I also do not recommend allowing the pup upstairs, as this can cause stress on the bone between the wrist and elbow/knee causing the bone to push over the joint. This is generally called overun and is cause when the dog comes down stairs and puts pressure on those front paws pushing the soft bone up and over.

Your pup will be learning from the very second it sets foot in your home, so it is a good idea to lay the ground rules down as soon as your pup arrives. Puppy training should not be a succession of corrections and telling off. It should all be done in the spirit of puppy play, firm but fair.

The way your puppy develops into and adult depends a great deal on how it is guided through its formative early months as a juvenile, by you, it's owner. The two most important words to remember throughout the life of any dog, be it puppy or adult, are consistency and fairness

INITIAL DECISIONS

You should initially decide on the rules before bringing your puppy home for the first time. Where do you intend to put the pup's bed? Where will he/she stay when you have to go out without it ? What times will you feed him? Will he be allowed on the bed or furniture? How will you toilet train? Paper? Crate, or Observation?
decide on your methods and read up as much as possible about the breed and it's temperament.

Try and visualise your expectations but remember, though it grows mentally and physically much faster than a human child, it is still only a puppy. Your expectations, attitude and behaviour should always take this into account.

My personal belief is your puppy should not be allowed on furniture at this or any other time. Dogs don't understand occasionally, only yes and no. However if you must, only let them on at your command and they must immedietly get off when you say so, you have to be firm but fair on this point. Whatever you decide apply the rules from the very start and stick to them. Consistancy is the key..

FINAL THOUGHTS

Expose your puppy to as much as possible; other animals, visitors, children, traveling, hoovering, bangs, clatters, in other words every day life. Remember they are dogs not children treat them as the pack animal they are and you will find them far more responsive.

They are not toys to be picked up or dragged around, or constantly bothered by children and adults. Give your puppy some time out and respect and it will return it tenfold.

Before you buy any dog make sure you are not just buying it because you like the look of it. Analyze your working and household arrangements, do you want a "guard dog" or lap dog? how much exercise will that lovely Collie or Springer need? do I have the space for that Irish Wolfhound? are some breeds more aggressive than others? think long and hard before you commit yourself to anything between ten and twenty years with the dog of your dreams, or it may just turn out to be a nightmare. We all know a dog is for life not just for Xmas, but is also not for any other time of the year if you are just buying on impulse.

Having said that a dog is a joy, a companion that cannot be equaled, it will become an integral part of your family and your entire life. Your whole perspective will change, and sometimes despite your behaviour it will adore, love and cherish you, like nothing else on Earth. For what is God spelt backwards? Why of course it's Dog

This is The 2003 Kennel Club list of most popular dogs

1. Retriever (Labrador)
2. German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian)
3. Spaniel (Cocker)
4. Spaniel (English Springer)
5. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
6. Retriever (Golden)
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
8. West Highland White Terrier
9. Boxer
10. Border Terrier
11. Rottweiler
12. Yorkshire Terrier
13. Lhasa Apso
14. Shih Tzu
15. Dobermann
16. Weimaraner
17. Bull Terrier
18. Miniature Schnauzer
19. Bulldog
20. Dalmatian
    
    Courtesy of the Kennel Club

This article was written by Stan Rawlinson, a full time Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer.
You can visit his website at www.doglistener.co.uk for more articles and training information. You may freely distribute this article or save to any electronic media as long as it is left intact, including this copyright box.
Please let me know out of courtesy where and when you publish. E.mail will suffice.