Ages & Stages: Puppies

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to new situations and things should be gradual and pleasant for your pup. You want to build positive associations.

Avoid scaring your pup. Anything that spooks your puppy--particularly around weeks eight through 11, which is considered a fear imprint period--can turn into a lifelong phobia.

You can spay or neuter your pup as young as two to three months. Early spaying cuts a girl dog's risk of several diseases. And early spaying or neutering can prevent problems such as marking and escaping.

You can start training as soon as your pup comes home. Puppies are totally capable of learning. In fact, a puppy kindergarten class is an excellent way to get your pup used to being around different people and dogs. Many classes will let puppies enroll as young as eight to 16 weeks of age.

Don't punish your pup. Yelling and hitting doesn't teach a dog of any age how to behave, but it's especially unfair to be harsh with a young puppy who's still trying to figure things out. By all means, train your pup and be consistent about house rules, but also be gentle.

Don't let your dog do anything as a puppy that you don't want him to do as an adult. If you lavish your tiny pup with affection and pets when he jumps up on you, he won't magically outgrow the habit once he's an 80-pound adult.

Begin teaching your puppy where to eliminate and what to chew right away to prevent bad habits and establish good ones. Start housetraining as soon as you bring your puppy home. And right from the start, keep him supplied with plenty of chew toys (stuff them with kibble and treats to entice  [Continued]