Carol Lea Benjamin - See Spot Sit: 101 Illustrated Tips for Training the Dog You Love

1. Planning ahead will save the day. Your new pup will need a safe place to stay when you cannot watch him; a variety of chew toys; a simple collar and leash; wholesome food; pans for food and water; and a humane schedule for meals, playtime, and housetraining that will change as he grows up.

When you find the perfect name for your brand new pup, say it out loud twenty-five times. If you still love it, then its the right name for your new best friend.

Dogs need exercise , outside, every single day, rain or shine.

Every pup needs a den , someplace where he can be safe when no ones able to watch him and a place he can go where he knows he wont be disturbed. The easiest way to provide a den is to use a puppy crate, available from pet-supply stores or catalogs. It should be large enough so that your puppy can lie down and stretch out comfortably, with some extra space for growth. I always leave something for my pup to chew on and drape her crate with a towel to make it cozier inside.

Learn to understand your dogs body language so that you know what he is saying.

You may find it surprising to know that if you speak dog, your dog will understand you.

You can help your dog understand your language if you teach one word at a time .

Think positively. It works!

Teach your new puppy to walk up and down stairs by holding his leash taut, but not tight, to offer him support. Start him out in the middle of the flight so that he has no choice but to walk up or down. Praise him as he goes.

Be patient. It takes time to train a dog.

Respect is a two-way street . Dont encourage your dog to be a pest by responding to his every whim when youre busy. Your dog, too, will need time to eat, sleep, and daydream without being interrupted.

For a cat-friendly dog, introduce your pup to a dog-friendly cat and let them play about once a week.

In order to raise a dog you can take anywhere, accustom your dog to walking on a variety of surfaces.

In order to have a dog whos wonderfully blas about new things, make sure he gets around town and meets lots and lots of people.

When your puppy gets wild and starts to nip, or you feel tense, take a hik e. Time outside will make you both feel surprisingly mellow.

Dogs are smarter than most people think. No matter what size of dog you have, he needs challenges for his fabulous brain.

Help your dog use his energy in a constructive way, taking long walks, playing with other dogs, retrieving a ball, learning the basic commands, and playing lots of silly games. That way hell have less energy for excessive barking, destructive chewing, stealing food, rummaging through the trash, and tossing toys at you while you are sleeping.