I loved training classes with my puppy. At that age they are all over the place but also really eager to please. It's amazing how fast they learn. (Of course when they get to be a teenage dog they will forget it all, but eventually it comes back.)

It's really fun to see them figure stuff out. Conquering the stairs was my personal favorite. Take a lot of videos! My dog is still exuberant but there is nothing like that puppy tail wagging away while playing.

Yes, like human babies they are super duper cute and a lot of work as puppies. Then they grow up to be cool adultish creatures. My dog is currently supervising my work (i.e., sleeping at my feet), and it makes work better.

Start training early, everyday. We had a puppy years ago so we knew what to expect. We have bells for him to ring to go out and he learned early. I remember we used to carry him outside from our second floor bedroom to avoid an accident and he is so huge now (10 months) I can’t lift him. Take lots of photos! They grow so fast! Get lots of toys and watch him constantly for the next few months. Also have kids walk him if possible, good practice, and cute

I also learned to appreciate that puppies and dogs always (24 hours) need kibble (hard food) available to exercise their teeth.

I learned that puppies eat an incredible amount of food per day. An almost unbelievable amount. Astonished and exasperated, I called the vet & told him about the abnormal food consumption; the vet laughed and assured me that it was normal. I reiterated that it was just one puppy; he laughed again and hung up.

Anonymous wrote:I’m getting a puppy soon and am well aware of the challenges I face. I have 3 kids and liken puppy ownership to reverting back to the newborn period, which is not my favorite stage. So please tell me what you loved (or wish you’d stopped to appreciate) about having a puppy. Thanks!

l learned to appreciate that puppies cannot distinguish between expensive furniture and lesser priced furniture--it all looks like one big chew toy to them.

Better to adopt two puppies--a male and a female.

Always have a frozen wash cloth in the freezer for teething. Freeze the wash cloth as a twisted stick--(not bunched up in a ball).

Puppies will chew & eat almost anything, so best to have enough Milk Bones, chew toys, and frozen wash cloths for immediate access 24 hours per day.

Do you have a specific dog breed in mind ?

Anonymous wrote:I’m getting a puppy soon and am well aware of the challenges I face. I have 3 kids and liken puppy ownership to reverting back to the newborn period, which is not my favorite stage. So please tell me what you loved (or wish you’d stopped to appreciate) about having a puppy. Thanks!

I think you should also ask people what not to do instead of asking for only positive advice. My thing would be to over socialize your puppy. Because of Covid my puppy didn't get to see too many kids. If I had him now I would take him to farmer's markets and expose him early to all sorts of people. He is getting better but, I think it would have been easier had I done this.

Also, do lots of puppy playdates. Don't go to dog parks but, go to Your dog's friend and they have supervised playdates. Make friends with the dogs that they get along with and then meet up with them.

Enjoy!

But even though he got a haircut, it was like pinnochio, the puppy became a little boy (dog)..

When our puppy looked like a stuffed teddy bear I had as a kid. The next year he got a haircut from the spouse. I was sad.

We dealt with many problems, barking, leash biting and pulling, sensitive digestion systems, house training, etc. now, the puppy photos in my phone are the best stress relievers for the whole family! After getting a dog we are out more often and we have more kids coming over after school just to play with the dog!

Their hoppy run with a giant smile on their face

I love the way my new puppy sleeps under the table upside down with her legs in the air - so cute!