Training a puppy when it first arrives in your house is the most important thing you can do for it. You will need a dog bed of sorts, a eating area including mat and bowls, puppy food, small dog collar, lead and many different types of puppy toys. After these items have been bought a routine must be set out and then the training may begin. The first few hours the puppy spends in his new home will be very important as he/she will be very excited and enthusiastic. It is a good idea not to let the whole family fuss over the puppy or play with the puppy etc. because this will stray away from the routine set out. The puppy is fed as first arranged and will sleep where first arranged - not on an excited child's bed.

Always try to put yourself in the dogs position - it has been removed from it's litter and mother and is therefore feeling uneasy as well as excited. What is needed to combat this is routine which will supply a feeling of security for the puppy. Cover a small room with newspaper and create a eating area in one corner and do not forget to place many of it's toys around the room. Remember that puppies need a lot more sleep than grown dogs and whilst it is fine to play with the puppy, leave it alone to sleep when it seems tired.

It is a good idea to choose someone to be responsible for feeding the puppy and also to clean up after it. The puppy is going to have to spend an amount of time alone at some point so do not spend all of your time entertaining it. This also applies to when the household and puppy sleep - if it awakens and starts to bark or whine you must resist the urge to go downstairs and spend time with it until it is comforted again and ready for sleep.

One of the most efficient, effective and popular ways to train a new puppy is by 'Crate Training'. Puppies do not like to go to the toilet in their resting and sleeping areas. If you temporarily confine your puppy to the crate area the puppy will go against soiling the area. This is an important factor of crate training because if the puppy refuses to go in it's bed it will relive itself at once when let outside or released into the toileting area. This action can then be rewarded with a treat and praise.