Bringing your holdiay pup home

Avoid bringing your puppy home during festivities. I highly recommend that you project calm-assertive energy when meeting your new puppy. The celebration of the holidays often leads to other kinds of energy: excited, anxious, and even hyperactive. This is not a good way to introduce your puppy to the pack.

Start training immediately. Of course, puppies need food, water, and a safe, warm place to live, but we often forget another important biological necessity: pack leadership. Think about how and what you will teach your puppy, what the rules, boundaries, and limitations will be, and start your consistent leadership from day one!

Stay balanced. Puppies are naturally hard-wired to follow a pack leader who is strong, stable, and consistent. These are traits many of us forget around our adorable new companions. But remember, without leadership, bad behaviors, such as excessive barking, leash-pulling, or anxiety, can develop.

Store up that affection. As hard as it may seem, I recommend that you wait a week before overloading your new puppy with affection. At the very least, wait until the end of the day when the puppy is calm and ready for sleep to provide affection. Instead, demonstrate your love in a way they will understand: by providing leadership and exercise.

Have a family conversation. Every family member should know their responsibilities in the care of the new puppy, and everyone should be enforcing the same rules, boundaries, and limitations. Consistency is key!

For more tips, read "Start Your Puppy off Right" and "Establish Leadership with Your New Addition" or check out the "Your New Dog: First Day and Beyond" DVD.