If you're thinking about adding to your family, you should also think about the fact that you'll have to feed and clean up after one more person. Even more so if you're thinking about getting a pet.
Experts say that it's important to teach pets, especially puppies, how to take care of themselves as soon and as early as possible. But they say that you should stay realistic and not have too high of hopes. Remember that puppies are still growing up, just like babies, so you shouldn't expect them to have full or good control over their sphincter muscle. In fact, experts say that it's not unusual for puppies up to six months old to "go potty" on the floor or rug in the living room. But they say that these problems can be solved with love, patience, and consistent training.
Show your puppy where he or she is allowed to "go" and make it clear to him or her that this is where he or she should go. Take note of his or her habits and bring him or her there soon after waking up, eating, drinking, or playing. But if you catch your dog pooping or peeing in the wrong place, just "escort" him or her to the right spot and reinforce it as a good bathroom spot.
Make sure you also have a good way to punish and praise good behaviour. When your dog goes to the right spot, praise him or her and rub his or her ears and back. After a few compliments, you might also want to scold him or her when he or she doesn't listen. And make sure that the "punishment" fits the "crime" and happens right away so that your pet can make the right connection.
Success, experts say, comes from doing things over and over again. Taking this into account, they say that you should plan to eat about three times a day at regular times. And they say that you can teach your pet to ration its food by giving it a big bowl of food and letting it figure out how often it will be filled up.
