Before you bring home your puppy, have these supplies on hand:

. A crate is an invaluable tool when housebreaking a puppy. It also provides your young dog with a sense of security when you are busy or away. However, never leave a puppy in a crate for longer than 4-5 hours.

. Bedding should be thick enough for comfort and sized appropriately for the breed. Be aware that some puppies that are left unattended for too long may chew their bedding.

. Baby gates serve as a great training tool in that they can be used to block off "restricted" areas of the house and help to teach your puppy what areas are off limits.

. Dog-appropriate toys, like the puppy-sized Kong, are the smart choice. Although children's toys look cute, they can prove hazardous. Never use old clothing or shoes as toys; a puppy cannot differentiate between your old and newly bought items. Stick with size-appropriate toys for your breed. Always supervise your puppy when he is playing with toys that contain squeakers as they can be a choking hazard.

. Two dog bowls: one for fresh water and one for quality dog food. Consult your veterinarian for food recommendations.

. A well-fitted collar and leash are a must for training and safety during outdoor excursions. Avoid chain leashes; a soft cotton leash is a better alternative.

. A pet ID tag allows your puppy to find his way home should he roam. You may also want to microchip your puppy at your next vet visit.

. Brushes and dog shampoo will eventually be needed for every breed.

. An odor and stain eliminator is a cleaner you will want on hand for those inevitable toileting accidents.

. A veterinarian should be researched and chosen beforehand. You will want a contact should an emergency arise. Introduce your new puppy early to the vet and learn what vaccinations he will need.

In addition to the essential supplies mentioned above, ensure your home and yard are safe for the exuberance of a new puppy.

. Remove potential hazards-anything that would make an enticing chew toy-such as power cords, window blind cords, potted house plants, children's toys, coins, batteries, shoes and clothing, garbage bins, and anything "bite sized" that could be ingested by a curious puppy. Outside, remove bite-size rocks, sticks, fertilizers, gardening tools and equipment. Also, be mindful of toxic household and garage items, such as antifreeze, detergents, mothballs and tobacco products. (See a complete list of dangerous item on our home page at www.BarkBusters.com.)

. Large and unstable objects should be moved out of harm's way. These objects could potentially fall on your inquisitive puppy as he explores his new surroundings.

. Move anything cherished or breakable to higher ground. Puppy tails have a way of sweeping a coffee table clean.

. Get on your hands and knees-at the puppy's view-to look for potential problems. If you think an item could be a hazard, remove it. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Your pup will be excited and anxious in his new environment. It is your job to make him feel safe and comfortable.

. Be patient. Although accidents will happen, do not reprimand your puppy during the first 24 48 hours while he is acclimating to the new environment. But do praise him profusely when he does something positive. This will start your both off on the right foot.

. Structure is a must. Have a planned schedule from the day your pup arrives-especially when trying to housebreak. Take your puppy outside frequently, and stay with him so that you know he has toileted.

. Getting acclimated will take him some time. Show your pup where he will be eating, sleeping and toileting. As your puppy adapts to his new surroundings and routine, he will feel more comfortable.

. Naps are important for a puppy. Be sure to give him the space and time he needs to relax. Try not to overwhelm your puppy. He is like a new baby, and will need frequent naps throughout the day.

. Start training early. Dogs are pack animals and seek authority and reassurance from the pack leader. Providing this leadership is key to managing a dog's behavior. For additional behavior and training tips, please visit www.BarkBusters.com.

The first night may prove to be a challenge as puppies often cry and whine throughout the night. Also, he probably will need to go out to toilet. Just as the daytime routine is important, so is the evening routine.

. Use the crate and bedding at night. As difficult as it is, avoid letting your pup sleep with you or any other family member. It could lead to behavior problems down the road.

. Your puppy's sleeping arrangements should be in a central location in the house. If you let your puppy sleep in your room, you may have trouble catching any shut-eye.

. Tough love should be your motto. Usually, a puppy takes a few nights to feel safe at night. Take him out to toilet every 4-5 hours. Other then that, he will need to get used to sleeping on his own.

. If your puppy still has trouble sleeping at night, hide a ticking clock in his bed. The sound imitates the heartbeat of the mother and can sometimes soothe an anxious puppy. To simulate the warmth of his littermates, place a warm water bottle or oversized stuffed toy in his crate for added comfort.

. Picking a trainer can be a daunting or confusing task. Consult your veterinarian or visit BarkBusters for the best training options for you and your growing puppy.

. Keeping your puppy healthy starts with a visit to a veterinarian. Usually, a yearly exam and the vet-recommended vaccinations will keep your puppy in tip-top shape.

. Exercise your puppy regularly. A walk in the neighborhood or a trip to the park is good for mind and body-for both you and your dog. Be careful not to overdo it with young pups.

. Be consistent. Puppies learn through experience and association. The more consistent you are, the faster your puppy will learn and the better he will perform.

Bark Busters wants you to enjoy owning a dog and has collated the following information to help you understand the laws governing dog ownership. We advise, however, that you find out your responsibilities of dog ownership in your state as do they vary, even from one city or county to another.

In many states, dog owners are required by law to register their dogs at the age of six months and to keep them registered. Your dog must always wear a registration tag and an identification tag, so that someone who finds your dog can return him to you immediately. Also, if your dog strays and ends up in a pound, the pound will have the information to contact you -- especially important if your dog requires medical attention. We also suggest that your microchip your dog.

You must ensure that your dog is confined both day and night. If allowed to roam free, even the most docile dog may be a menace to wildlife.

Some dogs have little tolerance for children, who being shorter, automatically get less respect from dogs who see them as being lower in the dog pack pecking order. Children, too, sometimes unknowingly tease dogs. A dog that bites a child would most likely be deemed a danger to society and be destroyed. Unfortunately, no one asks the dog's side of the story. So for your dog's safety, keep him in your backyard and out of harm's way. A responsible owner or parent can prevent dog attacks on children by closely supervising children when they are around dogs.

When outside your property, you must keep your dog on a leash at all times. The leash must be held by someone who can control the dog. Do not let a child walk a big dog unsupervised. Check with your city or county government to see if there are established "leash-free" areas where your dog can run free.

Keeping your dog on leash is very important. You are responsible if your dog attacks someone. Under the law, you may be held responsible for any injury or damage caused by your dog if he attacks a person or an animal.

As a courtesy to others, pick up after your dog has defecated on the sidewalk. Some counties have even begun to issue fines to owners who do not pick up after their pets.

Toilet training for your puppy should start as soon as the puppy is home with you. You must be prepared to be patient and observant!

Times When Your Puppy Will Need to Relieve Himself

There are six times a puppy should be left outside for about 30 minutes to toilet:

1. before going to bed for the night
2. as soon as he wakes up
3. after a nap during the day
4. after eating
5. after exuberant play
6. after you return home from an outing

Many people take their puppies out for a walk only to see the puppies relieve themselves as soon as they get back indoors. To avoid this, walk the puppy to his toilet area. Stand still with him, allowing the puppy to lose interest in you. Do not sit down as this will only encourage the pup to jump on you and forget what he is out there for.

Praise him if he performs. NEVER rub his nose in any mistakes! Positive reinforcement when he does the right thing in the right place is the best and quickest training method.

Outside Training:

When training the puppy to go outside to relieve himself, LEAD him to where you want him to go, stay with him, praise him when he performs. Note that a male puppy sometimes takes longer to perform than a female.

Remember that just like a child, when a puppy has to go, he really has to go! Your puppy cannot travel long distances to relieve himself, so keep his toilet area nearby.

Feeding puppies

Do not make a big issue of feeding your puppy. Have him wait until you give him permission to eat.

However, some ravenous, greedy pups become upset by having to wait. In that case, hold the dish and lift it above his head saying "leave." When your pup has calmed down, ask him to sit. Once he has complied, you may then give him his food.

If you have a ravenous pup, look closely at what he is being fed, as it may lack vital nutrients.

Scatter Feeding

Scatter feeding works well on puppies that tend to be aggressive with their food. Scatter the food around on the ground and stand in the middle, letting the pup know you are not interested in his food.

Never take the food away from the puppy as a form of punishment with no intention of giving it back immediately. This will only make the pup feel that his aggression is warranted and that you are trying to steal his food.

We train dogs' owners to communicate with their dogs based on how dogs communicate with each other. Dogs misbehave because they don't know what the owner wants. We humans typically use our English language to communicate with our dog. We say, "Stop barking" or "Get off the couch" or "Don't pull on the leash." The dog hears, "blah, blah, blah." When dogs are addressed within their own language, it's almost shocking how quickly they respond. That's why most Bark Busters training takes only about two hours. A dog's language is simple; whereas, trying to teach a dog English is impossible. We call the technique "motivational communication therapy," which simply means using the dog's language to motivate him to do what we want.

Dogs communicate basically in four ways. First, through their body language, next with their voice, then by snapping their teeth, and finally by being physical. Each of these methods is an increasingly stronger way to assert themselves and gain dominance. Dogs respond to other dogs based on dominance, or said another way, respect. Position in the pack is based on respect. Those higher in the pack are respected more; those lower are respected less. Misbehaving dogs in the household must learn to respect their owners as "leaders of the pack." Fortunately, a dog's language is very simple to learn. We don't need to teach it to dogs; they already know it. Bark Busters has developed a very simple way to teach owners the language and how to apply it.

Jazzy

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