■ New puppies 8-10 weeks old are sweet, sleepy and cuddly newborns. By 8 months, they’re adolescents. If left untrained, be prepared for unruly behavior!
■ Most puppy problems can be prevented or eliminated by the proper use of a crate.
■ Puppies need structure and consistency with feeding, sleeping and house training schedules.
■ Don’t play “tug-of-war”. It seems like a game, but can lead to “aggressive dominance” behavior.
■ All breeds of puppies need puppy training. If you haven’t decided on a specific breed, consider adopting from a local shelter or breed-specific rescue organization.
Links to local shelters:
Worcester Animal Rescue League
Dog Orphans
Baypath Humane Society
Bob Clark’s Dog Training is a professional dog trainer for general dog training, puppy training, aggressive dog training and more. Bob Clark’s Dog Training now offers private in home dog training serving Worcester County in central Massachusetts.