Chapter 1

Celebrating the Wonderful World of Puppies

IN THIS CHAPTER

Getting to know the difference between puppies

Welcoming your furry family member

Discovering routines you both can master

Dealing with the infamous puppy behavior

Taking care of your puppy

You've been looking forward to bringing your puppy home for days, weeks, and perhaps even years. Taking the leap and adopting a puppy is both exciting and a little bit scary. If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't be discouraged. This book focuses on helping you no matter where you are on the puppy continuum. Adopting a puppy is more like bringing home a baby than, say, a fish or a hamster; however, a child usually has a lot more build-up, with months to mull over internet posts, read magazine articles, and figure out the nursery decor. And even the infant stage is pretty tame - not so much with a puppy.

Unlike other pets, puppies imprint and engage with you from the minute you meet them, depending on you from that day forward. In return for your kindness, they offer you their unconditional love and enthusiasm every day of their lives. Puppies are like toddlers in their adoration and attentiveness, weaving their way into each and every social interaction that goes on in your life.

Puppies and infants have even more similarities; both nonverbal and reliant, they depend on you to shape and fulfill their everyday needs, from learning where and what to eat and drink to figuring out where to sleep and go potty. A puppy matures a lot faster than a baby, so that's a plus (the first year of a puppy's life equals about 21 of a human's), but a dog's emotional capacity parallels a 2- or 3-year-old, so they never leave for college, wreck the car, or max out your credit cards.

Raising a puppy is a project to be approached mindfully - and, fortunately, this book makes it a positive and fun experience for everyone. This chapter lays the groundwork for what lies ahead. It's a jumping-off point into the world of puppies. With these guidelines in hand, you'll have no trouble getting through the first year.

Considering Your Options

You may not have given much thought to the differences between dog breeds and personalities, assuming, like many do, that the only characteristics separating one pup from another are coat color and body size. The truth is puppies are as unique as snowflakes and come in all shapes and sizes. Unless your plan is to choose a dog who complements your couch cushions, use the following sections to explore more about your life and each breed's motivations and temperament.

Examining your current life

Before adopting a puppy, consider how a dog will fit into your current lifestyle. Chapter 2 focuses on your life, both now and in the not-too-distant future. Although puppies are cute, they grow up fast. Puppyhood lasts about a year, and dogs live a long time (generally, 10 to 14 years, depending on the dog breed or breed mix), so think about your life over the next decade plus. For example, your heart's pick may be a high-energy breed from the Sporting group, but if you're at work most of the day and you prefer vegging out to jogging, this puppy will lose their appeal when you find them climbing your walls or curtains.

Exploring types and breeds of dogs

When it comes time to choose your forever dog, you'll have different types of dogs to consider, from purebred and natural mix-breeds (also known as mutts) to fancy designer mixes (two breeds mindfully bred to create a new breed - a Chiweeny, Pomski, or Goldendoodle, for example). Different types of dogs do better in certain home environments. For example, more universally friendly breeds like Labrador Retrievers tend to do well in busy households that are a hub of childhood activity, while herding breeds such as Border Collies often fare better in active homes with structure and a clear sense of purpose. Chapter 2 explores the ideal home environment for different types of dogs as well as the necessary exercise, learning, and socialization commitments of each one.

After you have an idea of the personality you want, you can consider breeds. Over time, hundreds of known breeds have been developed worldwide. In the United States, the breeds are grouped into seven categories:

• Herding
• Hound
• Nonsporting
• Sporting
• Terrier
• Toy
• Working

Each has specific characteristics that allow the dogs to withstand the environment of the lands of their original descent. Each breed has a defined look, temperament, and interest that continues to get passed down from generation to generation.

Fine-tuning your search

You have a wide array of places you can adopt your new puppy. Chapter 3 guides you along in your search, helping you tailor your talk to various organizations, breeders, or rescues. Here, you can find a curated list of questions to ask in your search for a reputable and reliable breeder or rescue facility. I also fill you in on the kinds of questions you may be asked on your application for a puppy.

When you visit your puppy's birth home - whether it's with a breeder or at a shelter, store, or private home, first impressions count. Is the environment clean? Are the people friendly and warm? Do you get the sense that the puppy is in a safe, positive, and relaxed environment? While there, do you feel comfortable asking any pertinent questions and voicing your concerns? And, because many good breeders will question you (because, face it, they want to find good homes for the puppies they love, like their own babies), do you find their questions insightful and/or appropriate?

YOUR PUP'S INGRAINED NEED FOR A JOB

Most puppies' breed instincts are no longer necessary to human survival, but don't let any puppies in on this secret. Their skills are their life's talent, and employing them gives their lives a sense of purpose. No sheep to herd? The neighborhood kids will do. No snow in Savannah? Pulling a skateboarder will satisfy a Siberian Husky. No ducks to retrieve? A tennis ball will do just fine. Dogs love to work, and they can't quell their passions just because you have a late meeting. So, be sure to take the breed's job instincts into account when picking a pooch and always make time to indulge them.

Don't get a puppy from a breeder who doesn't allow you to visit their premises or meet the parents, and never ever pay for a puppy online. There are many puppy scammers and breeders who breed dogs haphazardly or keep their dogs in cages around the clock. These poor animals are stressed and isolated, producing puppies who begin their life with reflective stress and compromised health.

Puppies, like children, have distinct personalities. Chapter 3 also includes a temperament test you can take with you when checking out a particular puppy. Visualize the ideal characteristics you value in a dog and list them in the margin. For example, do you want a dog who's devoted to making you happy and who's needy for attention and delighted to do your bidding? Or are you more comfortable with a puppy who's affectionate but independent? Maybe your heart is set on a timid puppy who needs patience, coaxing, and love to come out of their shell. Believe it or not, you can make accurate behavioral predictions such as these when puppies are just eight weeks old.

Helping Puppy Get into the Groove

Puppyhood is your golden opportunity to influence and shape your puppy into a well-adjusted companion. This section overviews clear, actionable steps to help you lay a strong foundation for a lifetime of good behavior.

Setting a routine

Before diving into lessons and routines, Chapter 4 invites you to view your life from your puppy's perspective. With a brain like a sponge, their first learning experiences focus on the new sights, sounds, and smells in their world. Fundamentally needy, your puppy will develop routines centered around life's certainties: eating, drinking, sleeping, and pottying.

To help them feel safe and secure, you want to meet those needs while framing their behavior in ways that make sense. Understanding how they communicate through body posture and nonverbal signals is key to building trust and connection. Puppies and toddlers have more in common than you might think - both rely on consistency and predictability to thrive.

Welcoming your puppy home

Regardless of your mood, this initial trip can be scary and overwhelming for your puppy, who may be separating from their original family for the very first time. Plan ahead by organizing both the trip home and your arrival. Leashes, collars, harnesses, crates, gates, toys, bones, and more - make these purchases early using the shopping list in Chapter 5. Preparing your home - puppy-proofing and staging their space - ensures they know where to go and what to do as they adjust to their new environment. Explain your routines to family and friends beforehand to keep everyone on the same page. Having a plan not only puts your mind at ease but also ensures a smoother transition for your puppy. Though the first few days can feel jarring for both of you, your puppy will quickly begin to bond with you and their new...