We LOVE puppies! How could you not? They are wonderful, little, fluffy, snuggly, playful, puppy breath producers, who ideally grow up to be loving, loyal companions. From breeders, to puppy owners, to trainers, to veterinarians, to groomers, to pet store staff, to daycare providers and pet sitters - it truly takes a village to raise a puppy. Having an educated village is important for the future success of these funny little furballs.

When you bring home a new puppy, be prepared for your world to be turned upside down! It is similar to bringing home a human baby; you need to feed it, clean up after it, keep it safe, introduce it to other family members, play with it, and teach it how to behave appropriately. Oh, and don't forget, "don't bite people", "don't pee on the floor", and "don't chew on that" ! Okay, maybe puppies aren't exactly like human babies, but they are still a huge responsibility and a whole lot of work. So, what can you do to best prepare yourself and help your new furry family member be a well mannered pup?

It is crucial to understand dog behavior and puppy development if you are going to be a successful puppy parent. The most important thing you can do for your new puppy is start training early! Did you know, simple training exercises can be started in puppies as young as 3-4 weeks old? Things like resource guarding, potty training, eye contact, jumping and nipping, and social skills can all be shaped from a very young age. Knowing some of the experiences your puppy had before coming to live with you is helpful, but not every puppy was fortunate enough to be raised in an ideal setting. That's okay, you can still start training the day you bring your puppy home!

The critical socialization period ends at 12 weeks of age; this means you MUST begin socializing your puppy PRIOR to its 12 week birthday. Wait, what about vaccinations?! Puppies will not be finished with their puppy shots until around 16 weeks of age! Though we do not want to put our puppies at risk for disease, we do need to start them in a training program before their vaccinations are complete. In Puppy Pre-K, Kelsey can explain how to set up proper socialization protocol without putting our precious pups at risk. Also, during the AfterSchool Program sessions, we can begin socializing with other dogs in a safe environment to minimize risk and still take advantage of this crucial development window.