I am your Puppy, and I will love you until the end of the Earth, but
I am a Puppy, this means that my intelligence and capacity for
learning are the same as an 8-month-old child. I am a Puppy; I will
chew EVERYTHING I can get my teeth on. This is how I explore and
learn about the world. Even HUMAN children put things in their
mouths. It's up to you to guide me to what is mine to chew and what
is not.

cannot "feel" that I need to poop until it is actually beginning to come
out. I cannot vocalize nor tell you that I need to go, and I cannot
have "bladder and bowel control" until 6 - 9 months. Do not punish
me if you have not let me out for 3 hours and I tinkle. It is your fault.
As a Puppy, it is wise to remember that I NEED to go potty after:
Eating, Sleeping, playing, Drinking and around every 2 - 3 hours in
addition. If you want me to sleep through the night, then do not give
me water after 8 p.m. A crate will help me learn to housebreak
easier, and will avoid you being mad at me.

I am a Puppy, accidents WILL happen, please be patient with me! In
time I will learn.

I am a Puppy, I like to play. I will run around, and chase imaginary
monsters, and chase your feet and your toes and 'attack' you, and
chase fuzz balls, other pets, and small kids. It is play; it's what I do.
Do not be mad at me or expect me to be sedate, mellow and sleep
all day. If my high energy level is too much for you, maybe you could
consider an older rescue from a shelter or Rescue group. My play is
beneficial, use your wisdom to guide me in my play with appropriate
toys, and activities like chasing a rolling ball, or gentle tug games, or
plenty of chew toys for me. If I nip you too hard, talk to me in "dog
talk", by giving a loud YELP, I will usually get the message, as this is
how dogs communicate with one another. If I get too rough, simply
ignore me for a few moments, or put me in my crate with an
appropriate chew toy.

I am a Puppy; hopefully you would not yell, hit, strike, kick or beat a
6-month-old human infant, so please do not do the same to me. I am
delicate, and also very impressionable. If you treat me harshly now, I
will grow up learning to fear being hit, spanked, kicked or beat.
Instead, please guide me with encouragement and wisdom. For
instance, if I am chewing something wrong, say, "No chew!" and
hand me a toy I CAN chew. Better yet, pick up ANYTHING that you
do not want me to get into. I can't tell the difference between your
old sock and your new sock, or an old sneaker and your $200 Nikes.

I am a Puppy, and I am a creature with feelings and drives much like
your own, but yet also very different. Although I am NOT a human in
a dog suit, neither am I an unfeeling robot who can instantly obey
your every whim. I truly DO want to please you, and be a part of your
family, and your life. You got me (I hope) because you want a loving
partner and companion, so do not relegate me to the backyard when
I get bigger, do not judge me harshly but instead mold me with
gentleness and guidelines and training into the kind of family
member you want me to be here.

I am a Puppy and I am not perfect, and I know you are not perfect
either. I love you anyway. So please, learn all you can about
training, and puppy behaviors and caring for me from your
Veterinarian, books on dog care and even researching on the
computer! Learn about my particular breed and it's "characteristics",
it will give you understanding and insight into WHY I do all the things
I do. Please teach me with love, patience, the right way to behave
and socialize me with training in a puppy class or obedience class,
we will BOTH have a lot of fun together.

I am a Puppy and I want more than anything to love you, to be with
you, and to please you. Won't you please take time to understand
how I work? We are the same you and I, in that we both feel hunger,
pain, thirst, discomfort, fear, but yet we are also very different and
must work to understand one another's language, body signals,
wants and needs. Some day I will be a handsome dog, hopefully one
you can be proud of and one that you will love as much as I love you.

Love, Your Puppy

May be posted, reposted, cross-posted and used with permission as
long as credit is given.

Copyright 2000, by J. Ellis - Southern Shadows Rottweilers.