"Dog reads"

Few things are as fun and exciting as sharing your life with a new puppy. And while every day is filled with fun and bonding, there are times when your friend needs to learn basic skills—and he needs your help to do it.

From the very first day, it's important to remember that your puppy looks to you to fulfill all of his needs. Showing leadership in a way that facilitates togetherness will help your puppy find his way—and will create a strong bond of trust between the two of you.

Rebecca Jones, an animal behaviorist and owner of Bark Busters in Dallas, Texas, says that it's important you take the lead in your relationship in order to teach. "You have to be gentle, but you have to be firm. They're looking for leadership."

Here are a few tips to help guide your best friend:

• Establishing that you and your puppy are a team in which you're the leader will build his confidence in addition to creating the ideal environment for developing good behavior.
• Jones says to introduce the puppy to a variety of noises to familiarize him with the sounds of an active world. "If something scares your puppy, your natural reaction is to want to coddle him," Jones says. "What you should do instead is to get him to focus on something else and get his mind off what he's afraid of. Dogs live in the moment, but if they're traumatized and you let them stay fearful or traumatized, they'll react to that situation the same way the next time."
• Show him you care with gentle, sweet words, and move on to another activity together so he can see that there's nothing to be afraid of.

Meet and Greet

Socializing your puppy comes in many forms, from meeting visitors and contractors to exploring new places and encountering other animals. When visitors come over, Jones says, your puppy should sniff the newcomer to get acquainted. If a puppy doesn't want to greet visitors, it's a sign of fear or shyness, so give your best friend a treat to help entice him to come over.

"Ask your guests to stand still so the puppy can get used to them," Jones says. She recommends gently telling your puppy to stop jumping on guests, and then reward him when he's successful. "That will keep him from jumping up on guests when he's older," she adds.

Meeting other animals can be done easily and gradually. Puppies are famous for their boundless energy, which can be difficult (at first) for cats and older dogs. Having your puppy on a leash makes it easier when meeting other animals. At home, you can give your puppy his own space or room until your felines and other four-legged friends become comfortable with him. (Also, giving your puppy his own room is great for whenever a contractor comes over to work inside your home.)

When it comes to meeting new people, pick your puppy up and hold him close to you—this will help him feel safe and important.

Out and About

Trips to the park are an excellent way to introduce your pup to the big wide world, and puppies love to be outdoors. Kim Fowler, owner of Pawliday Inn Boarding and Grooming in Hastings, Nebraska, advises using training classes and fun park outings to familiarize puppies with a broad range of sights, sounds, and smells.

"It's a great way to expose your puppy to wheelchairs, crowds, new noises, and smells," she says. "Early, proper socialization is key to having a well-adjusted dog."

But it should always be done in a well-controlled environment that you experience with your best friend. "Make sure your puppy is always on a leash, and make sure that children who want to pet your puppy know what you expect of their behavior before you allow them to interact," Fowler says.

She says picking your puppy's playmates wisely teaches him how to interact nicely with other dogs. Your puppy will be excited to meet new friends and encouraging his socialization is a great way to bond.

"Make sure your puppy's play pal is close to the same size and activity level," she says. "And always maintain close supervision in case play turns a bit too rough!"

Eating Time!

All that socialization will work up an appetite, and puppies love to chow down! Keep in mind that proper nutrition influences your pet's behavior as well as his health and appearance. Look for premium puppy food with highly digestible protein and quality ingredients, such as Beneful® Healthy Growth for Puppies from Purina®.

Until he is about 12 weeks old, your puppy will need to eat four times a day, and after that, feeding can be reduced to two or three times daily, depending on the size of the breed. Consult with your veterinarian to create a feeding schedule, and always make sure there's plenty of fresh water available. Puppies will drink frequently, especially after long days of play!

When it comes to feeding, routine is the key. Give your puppy access to his food for about 10 minutes, then remove his dish. This allows his tummy to rest and also will make your puppy more eager for his next feeding time. (Dogs who are allowed "free access" to their food may often overeat, leading to a potentially higher rate of obesity.)

Finally, once your puppy has eaten, he may want to play again—but give him some time to rest so that he can digest his food! So this would be a good time for a nap—together, of course!