How to Care for a New Puppy in Your Home

Your new puppy has a few essential needs that must be met for both of you to be happy and get along well. These essential needs are his own space, a bathroom, puppy food, a safe environment, and attention.

The puppy's own space should be quiet and needs to include a dog bed, or crate, to sleep in,  a food bowl, a water bowl, and some chew toys.

For the bathroom, choose the area that you want him to use as his bathroom and show it to him. Take your puppy to his bathroom area when he awakes, after he eats, if he hasn't gone there in a while, and any time that he begins sniffing around and turning in circles. He will make mistakes. If you catch him in the act, say "No," then take him to his bathroom area. Just as you would not punish a child for potty accidents, do not punish your puppy for accidents. Instead, praise him every time that he is successful.

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