• Toys are great, but don’t go crazy. The dog will be easily overwhelmed by too many choices. Give him no more than one new toy or bone per week if possible.

• An older puppy can often benefit from chewing on rawhide bones because he is teething. Make sure he is chewing the rawhide into small pieces before swallowing it. Some dogs, like retrievers, tend to swallow in pieces that are too large and this will lodge in his throat. It is not a fun trip to the vet, when you cannot remove it yourself and could be life threatening. Watch the dog closely when he chews.

• A very small puppy is like a toddler and will put everything in his mouth. Child proofing or in this case, puppy proofing is imperative. Remember that certain types of plants are poisonous. When in doubt, remove the plant from her reach.

• Give your dog lots of love and affection. Dogs at puppy age will adapt to the amount of handling they receive and will become accustomed to it. This is why older strays can take much longer to acclimate to a household if they have been deprived of human contact. Even these dogs can be trained in most cases.

• Feed him the right kind and quantity of food. The vet can tell you what is best for the dog breed and age. If she is gaining weight too quickly, she may be getting overfed. However, puppies are growing and need more calories and nutrients than a sedentary older dog.

• Make sure he gets all his shots on the appropriate timetable. Particularly if you live in an area with abundant wildlife. If he comes into contact with potentially rabid animals and he has not been properly vaccinated, the results could be tragic.

• Do not tether your puppy to a run or rope. He could hurt himself by running to the full length of the run, thus wrenching his spine. Instead, though you may initially think it is cruel, an invisible fence is the best option. The minor static shock is harmless to him and most dogs learn to avoid it very quickly. The best news about the popularity of the invisible fence is the monumental decline in dogs being hurt by moving vehicles in areas where these fences are prevalent.

• Play with your dog often and enthusiastically. You will both get exercise and will bond even stronger with your new pet. So get off the couch and throw a ball or stick for her. You will make your puppy very happy.

Humor Corner

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