There’s no better feeling than coming home to an excited and lovable fur baby, but this isn’t the only way that your life changes when you adopt a puppy. Many people adopt puppies, thinking it’ll be a piece of cake to care for them, and then they realize it’s much harder than they anticipated. Whether you already have your new friend or you’re contemplating adopting a dog, you could benefit from knowing these important tips for raising a happy and healthy pup.

When considering adding a new dog to the home, there are many factors to think about. When making this new addition, make sure to prepare for proper training and have the right tools on hand to make the transition easier for the puppy and yourself. While it's possible to train a dog yourself, for those without experience in dog ownership a dog training course with your puppy will be well worth the investment.

If you have heard horror stories from dog ownership or viewed the show "It's Me or the Dog", make sure this doesn't become you. Whether a new dog or one you own that has been running your house instead of you, then perhaps you are good candidates for dog training school. Often a dog will misbehave, not because it is a "bad" dog, but because of lack of training. Putting your pooch through a reputable training program will help make your relationship happy and peaceful.

You just got your first canine companion. Congratulations on this great move and welcome to the incredible world of dog owner...