When it comes to training your puppy, there’s no need to wait. Start as soon as you bring him home. You’ll probably want to work on housebreaking, foundational commands like sit and stay— and stop him from chewing all your favourite pairs of shoes. You should also work on stopping his jumping behaviour and teaching him to walk on a loose leash. That’s a lot! But you don’t need to do it all at once. Keep training sessions short and fun. Make sure to practice reward-based, positive reinforcement training techniques. As soon as he has completed his vaccinations, join a puppy training class.

If your dog chews up your favourite pair of shoes or gnaws away at the table leg, you might be to blame. After all, chewing is a natural dog behaviour. When you leave something enticing in a young puppy’s path, chances are he’s going to chew it up. That’s why it’s up to you to puppy-proof your home — and get your whole family on board. If you think your puppy could eat an object — no matter how strange — get it out of his reach. That’s another reason why crates are so useful — they help keep your pup out of trouble. While you’re at it, give your puppy plenty of toys that area safe for him to chew on. Food puzzles and interactive toys can help keep his mind occupied. This is also a great time to teach him the “drop it” command to help keep him from ingesting inappropriate or dangerous items.

In general, puppies should be spayed or neutered before they reach sexual maturity (usually around 5 or 6 months old) to prevent unwanted offspring. In some cases, larger breeds may benefit from a longer wait. Talk to your veterinarian about the best time to spay or neuter your puppy.

Now’s the best time to start grooming your puppy. If you introduce him to nail trims, brushing and bathing now — instead of waiting until he’s an adult — he’s much more likely to be comfortable with being groomed as he gets older. The key is to offer plenty of treats and praise, and to keep grooming sessions short.