I don't know if I should be happy or sad- or even institutionalized! I finally caved with all the kids pleadings for a dog (Dh included with that!)- I was holding back since I know who will end of training the puppy and cleaning up after the puppy and so on. We went and picked out a puppy this afternoon- he is a mixed beagle puppy and he will be ready on November 18th- just in time for Thanksgiving (don't know what we will do about that!).

So know I have to puppy proof the house and start picking up a few things for the puppy (including a stocking for our new family member), find a good yet reasonable vet, read up on how to train a puppy. Just when I thought my job was never ending it is just about to get worse !

Anyone have any tips or ideas?? TIA!

You said it sister!!
(we have a 3 month old puppy)

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Mary

Congrats on the new addition! I'll bet the puppy is adorable! Our kids keep bugging us for a puppy too, but we already have a golden retriever. I don't know if I want to venture into the world of 2 dogs, lol!

Ok, here ya go! We have two very large labs, which DH trained himself. The main thing about training dogs is for YOU (or whoever is "in charge") to become Alpha. That includes when you say "no", say it with conviction, not "nooooo puppy" in a whiney woman tone (like what I do..lol). Also, keep the commands you teach to a three or four word maximum. Use "no" for ANYTHING he does that's bad....never "no", "stop", "quit", "don't do that"....etc. JUST "no". The ever popular "sit". Which DH has taught ours that sit also means "sit and stay". When you teach them to sit, push their hineys' to the ground at the same time, and when they do it, be very emphatic about it by saying "good dog good dog" over and over again and loving up on them, every time they sit, even if you are pushing their butts down....they will grasp that when they sit, it makes YOU happy, so they will do it every time. One myth about dogs, is that you need treats to train them. You can, but it's not true. All they really want is your love, so by being so excited and loving on them when they do what you ask, is treat enough. We've never used treats to train our dogs, and they mind DH so well, it's unbelievable....and so cute. Also, our other few words are "come", "heel" "give" (when we need them to drop their ball), and that's pretty much it, other than a few key phrases that they know simply by the tone of it like "get your toy" or "fetch it up". It's really not too hard to train a dog. Of course, some dogs are harder than others, but don't give up. When you are potty training them, make sure that when they wet or poop in the house (and not on the paper--which you would put by a door, like the door you'll let them out of), make sure to show it to them, say "no, no, no, no, no" and bring them promptly outside. It takes patience, but if you are consistent about your response to their messes, it's quick and painless. Don't expect perfection from your puppy, and make sure all the family is helpful. You can do it, and a dog is the best thing you could ever have! They truly are man's best friend. Good luck!!