"DO" LIST FOR PUPPIES AND DOGS *Give your pet plenty of attention and handle your pet with gentle kindness. *Make sure your pet has food and water available at all times. *Make sure your pet has fresh clean water (wash the bowls with anti-bacterial soap) to prevent bacteria build up which will cause sickness. *Have toys specifically designed for dogs/puppies available for your pet to chew on and play with or they will use whatever they can find laying around. *Make frequent trips to the bathroom area until your pet knows where to go, and can tell you when they need to go. Use a firm tone of voice when correcting your pets mistakes, in addition to a tap on the nose is affective as punishment and all that is required. *The first commands taught should be: your pets name, no, outside? or pee pee, (whatever you choose to be the key word for using the restroom on command) good boy/girl, come, sit, and back. These commands are very easy for your puppy to learn when used in repetition, be sure to ALWAYS use the same word for the same meaning. *Take your pet to the vet yearly for booster shots and heartworm check, or anytime your pet is acting in an abnormal way, (listless, lethargic, vomiting, diarrhea, not eating well). *Use a heartworm preventative monthly even if your dog never goes outside, mosquitos can get in your house. (I use heartguard) *Use a flea and tick preventative monthly to avoid infestation on your dog and in your house. (I use advantage) *Give your pet a bath regularly (every couple of weeks)to keep their coat healthy and shining. *Keep your pet cool in the summer time and warm in the winter time. *Check your house plants and in your pets outside area, many are poisonous. *Groom or have your pet groomed regularly to avoid matted coat and ear infection. "DON’T" LIST FOR PUPPIES AND DOGS *leave a puppy unattended (consider it an infant)would you leave an infant on the floor alone in the house while you were gone for an hour or so? Consider your pets crate/ pen a playpen or crib (for it’s own safety). *leave a puppy alone on the furniture (it will jump off and hurt it’s self). *leave things laying on the floor that you don’t want to be chewed on or played with. *leave anything small or plastic that can be choked on available to your pet. *leave ANYTHING on the floor besides your pets (dog approved) toys and chewies, Puppies will chew on or eat anything they can get to, most household items can kill your puppy, you can not be TOO careful! *assume your pet has food and water (check it daily). *give your pet anything listed on the "THINGS DOG’S CAN’T EAT" list that I provided you with. *leave your pet in the direct sun, or in your vehicle with temperatures over 80 or under 50. *bath your pet in too hot of water, warm to your wrist is sufficient. *add water to a water bowl (wash it first with antibacterial soap) bacteria grows rapidly in water bowls causing a slime like buildup. *hit or kick or drop your pet ever! *leave children unsupervised with your new puppy until you are sure that they understand the importance of the rules for the handling of the puppy. *Hesitate to ask if you don’t know or aren’t sure (it could mean your pets life)! These are just a few things I can think of that are extremely important for you to follow once you’ve taken you’re new dog/puppy home. A lot of it is common sense but don’t assume everyone will use common sense. Please go over this list with all of your family members and make sure everyone understand how important this list is to the life, health, and welfare of your dog/puppy. Follow these guidelines and your new family member will live a long, happy, healthy life with you.  Compliments of Tammystoypoodles.com