It is impossible to cover all the aspects of puppy and dog care and feeding in this space. There are many good books available and loads of Internet sites that cover these topics. The basics provided below will get you off to a good start. Besides shelter, food, fresh water, and medical care, your dog's basic necessities include grooming, companionship, and plenty of exercise.

A collar should be one of the first things you purchase for your new puppy. Puppies often have strong reactions to strange new things. The collar may be one of them. See Raising & Training for more about collars and leashes.

Have your puppy or dog vaccinated regularly. Thousands of dogs die each year from one disease alone - parvo virus. Prevention is the only way to fight this fatal disease.

Begin your pup's vaccinations at six to eight weeks of age. At this time, your puppy should have a comprehensive examination and a fecal sample checked. Depending upon your area, heartworm preventative should be started at 6 weeks. A suitable schedule is below.

• 6 to 8 weeks - First puppy shot (DHLPP) + Corona
• 11 to 12 weeks - Second puppy shot (DHLPP) + Corona
• 15 to 16 weeks - Third puppy shot (DHLPP) + Corona
• Over 4 months - Rabies (repeat l year later)
• 7 to 9 months - First heartworm test

• DHLPP - Yearly
• Heartworm test - Yearly
• Rabies - Every 3 years (after second Rabies shot)
• Bordetella - Yearly

• Bordetella - a bacterial infection (kennel cough)
• Corona - a viral disease of the intestines.
• Distemper - an airborne viral disease of the lungs, intestines and brain.
• Hepatitis - a viral disease of the liver.
• Leptospirosis - a bacterial disease of the urinary system.
• Parainfluenza - infectious bronchitis.
• Parvovirus - a viral disease of the intestines.
• Rabies - a viral disease fatal to humans and other animals.

Veterinarians do not all agree on the subject of routine worming of puppies. Some believe that it is not necessary to worm puppies until a fecal sample has tested positive for worms or if worms have been seen. Other doctors believe that it is usually necessary, and not harmful, to routinely worm puppies. Check with your veterinarian on the worming schedule that he or she recommends.

German Shepherd puppies and dogs (and those of other breeds) will be most content living and sleeping inside your home with "their" pack - your family. Your puppy or dog will need a place in the house to call his or her own. A proper-sized crate serves this purpose very well. Dogs are den animals and will appreciate the security they feel within a crate.

If your new puppy or dog must live in an outdoor kennel, he or she must have a dog house that is weather and draft-proof, situated in a dry and sunny spot, raised off the ground, contain plenty of clean, dry bedding, and have walls and floors insulated against heat and cold. Dogs are social animals and require contact with people or other dogs. If you must have an outside dog, be sure to include your dog in as many social activities as possible or he or she will soon lose the ability to exhibit controlled, acceptable social behavior around people. Please never chain or tie your puppy or dog outside for an extended period of time, and if he or she must be tied up for a short period of time, make sure it has free access to fresh food, water, and a warm, dry shelter.

When housebreaking your puppy, remember to love, encourage, and be patient. Create a routine and stick to it. Feed your puppy at the same time everyday and immediately remove his food dish when he or she is done eating. If you are free-feeding, take the puppy's food away an hour or so ahead of bedtime. Take your puppy for a walk a few minutes after feeding. Praise your puppy when he or she goes outside. Don't scold your puppy for indoor accidents unless you catch him or her in the act. Two seconds after the puppy has had an accident, he or she has forgotten all about it and punishment after the fact will confuse the puppy and even make him or her fearful of you. If you are consistent with your routine and take the puppy out frequently for the first couple weeks, accidents will most likely be your fault, not the puppy's. At first, your puppy will need to go out very frequently, but as time goes on, fewer runs will be necessary. Remember that almost all puppies will need to go out at least twice each morning, once first thing and then again right after he or she eats or drinks.

A very popular and effective way of housebreaking your dog is crate training. The puppy is confined to his kennel at night and can be easily taken outdoors to eliminate first thing in the morning. It is very important to keep your puppy's space in the crate small enough so that he won't be inclined to relieve himself in it. A large box works well inside the crate to decrease space. Puppies can also be confined for short times in the owner's absence which helps reduce daytime accidents. Always leave a safe rawhide chew stick or chip to keep the puppy occupied while confined.

Grooming can be enjoyable for both of you and helps to create a strong bond between you and your puppy. Start off with a daily grooming. Your puppy may jump around and bite at the brush or comb, but he or she will get over that as time goes by. Praise him for good behavior. Ignore bad behavior and be patient and gentle. Slowly increase the length of time you spend grooming as the puppy comes to accept it. Run your hands all over the puppy's body and in his mouth and ears. Your puppy must learn to accept your manipulations without question as he learns that he will not be hurt. Rewarding him with a treat afterwards helps.

Puppies and dogs are no different than humans. Exercise helps them stay physically and mentally fit. Play fetch, take a walk or jog (depending upon the age and size of the puppy). Some puppies may prefer jogging, but it is very important not to overdo it. Select a collar and leash that suits you and the size of your puppy. Retractable leashes work very well for puppies and allow them to explore without losing control. For obedience and training you will need a 6-foot lead. All dogs should be enrolled and will benefit from obedience classes.

Many dogs aren't too keen on baths and remember that a bath will be a brand new experience for your new puppy. It is important to take the time to create a calm, relaxed atmosphere during bath time. Do not submerge your dog into a full tub of water. Prepare your bathing accessories before placing your dog into the water. Have your dog shampoo on hand, a wet sponge, as well as a big towel to dry off your dog after his bath.

Place your dog in the sink or tub and begin to wet him with the sponge. Apply a small amount of dog shampoo along the length of the coat. Lather well and don't forget those hard to reach areas. Rinse using bowls of clean water or a hose with a slow stream of water. Rinse well, or you your puppy may end up scratching later from shampoo residue.

Once out of the water, rub your dog with a big towel to remove excess water. Your puppy may help you by shaking. Unless it is very warm outside, keep your puppy indoors until he or she is dry. Reward your pet after bathing with praise and a favorite treat. Such may make the next bathing session go easier. Bathe only when necessary and as rarely as possible. Bathing removes essential oils from the skin and coat.

Your puppy's nails will grow rapidly and must be trimmed regularly. Once a week will not be too often for the first 2 or 3 months. As the puppy grows, once every couple weeks will be adequate. When clipping nails, use nail clippers that are especially designed for dogs. Nails contain blood vessels, so be careful not to trim the nail too short. If you need help, ask your vet for assistance. Always have KwikStop powder on hand to stop nail bleeding if you happen to trim a nail too short.

Strong, healthy teeth are essential to your puppy. Tooth and gum disease can occur if his or her teeth are not kept clean. Chewing on rawhide or synthetic bones will help with the cleaning process. Biscuits and dry dog foods are also beneficial. Use a cloth, a soft toothbrush, or your finger to rub the inner and outer sides of your puppy's teeth. Do not use human toothpaste, for the fluoride in the product is toxic to your puppy.

Proper ear cleaning when necessary minimizes the chance of irritation or infection. A small amount of earwax helps in coating and protecting the ear, but too much can lead to problems. Use a soft cloth with some baby oil on it. Be very careful that you do not try to clean too deeply into the ear.

Great advances have been made in the area of flea control products. There are a wide variety of products available. Some of the products are safe to use on puppies. Ask your veterinarian which of the products may suit your needs. Check for fleas and ticks by looking through your puppy's fur. Deer ticks, carriers of Lyme disease, are small and often not seen by the owner. Pay special attention to your dog's coat during high-risk seasons, spring and summer. Prevention is the key. Once you have determined that your puppy has fleas or ticks, or if you think he or she might have either, a proper insecticide treatment for him and his environment is required. Check with your veterinarian.

All dogs need at least some basic training for the safety of the dog and other people. A well-trained dog is a pleasure to be around. Basic training should begin at six to eight weeks of age. It is best to refer to a dog training book or enroll in Puppy Kindergarten classes. Always be patient and consistent in the training of your puppy. See Raising & Training for more about basic training.

When traveling with your puppy or dog, always keep his best interests in mind. When traveling by automobile, secure your dog in a carrier (crate) or place your dog behind a barrier which can easily be installed in most automobiles. Depending on the region in which you live, you may be required by law to secure your dog while traveling by automobile.

Never leave your puppy or dog unattended in a car, for he or she will be at risk for heat stroke. Leaving a window partially open is not a solution. Neither is leaving the car in the shade. Always bring plenty of water (brought from home) when traveling with your canine companion. For a long road trip, take several breaks and allow your dog to have a drink of water, stretch his legs, get some air, and relieve him or herself. When traveling by plane, call your airline for their regulations on pet travel.

Provide your puppy with a tag inscribed with your phone number. Your puppy can also be tattooed or micro-chipped. A tattoo can be applied while the animal is under anesthetic for the spay/neuter operation.

Remember: dogs should be spayed/neutered around six months of age. Not only will this procedure ensure that your pet remains more healthy and will be less likely to wander, it will also prevent the birth of unwanted pets. There are not enough homes for all the puppies and kittens born each year. Make sure that your dog does not add to the population explosion.