Man's Best Friend is His Dog

You just brought home your new puppy. The first dog you have ever owned. So, where do you start?

Pets are not so different from children, except a pet does not grow up, they depend wholly on you all of their lives. If you have never toilet trained a child, house breaking a dog can be quite a challenge. But, if you have trained a child, then you know, patience and persistence is the key. Do not get frustrated. Dogs learn quickly.

You must take your puppy outside every two hours, day and night. You have to take him to the same spot in the yard every time. Dogs are smart, he will soon learn this is his potty. Within a few days you can extend taking him out to every four hours. And within about a month, you do not have to take him out on schedule, he will come to you when he is ready.

Dog urine stinks and stains. If you work and leave him home alone, accidents can occur. Bleach is the only thing that will take the smell out, but it can damage your carpet, so you have to use proper carpet cleaners when your dog urinates on the carpet.

I have a sun room where my dog thinks is safe for 'emergencies'. Quite smart, since the floor is vinyl, therefore the easiest to clean up. When she was younger her favorite spot was by the front door, which is a carpeted area. I never scold her for these incidents. It is not her fault. Sometimes, when you got to go, you got to go.

So, I wash the floor with bleach, which takes care of all odors, but when I first come home! My oh my! The smell will make even the toughest stomach turn.