The first few days are the honeymoon period. You and your family will be completely entranced at your new family addition, and your puppy will provide you with hours of entertainment. You'll take pictures and e-mail your friends, you'll laugh at her cute antics...and you'll also start to realize just how much work raising a puppy can be.

Puppies need constant supervision. You may find that your puppy has lots of energy but you're beginning to get very tired. Here are some tips for making the first few days easier:

Take your puppy to the vet right away. Bring your puppy to the veterinarian within 48 hours to make sure that she is healthy and so that you can start her health care program.
Set rules now, and stick to them. If you let your puppy get up on the couch with you now because she's small and cute but don't want her to get up there later when she's bigger, that will confuse her. Give her consistent structure.
Begin your training now. Start teaching your puppy manners today, such as sitting for her food or at the door. If you train her now, she will keep those manners as she gets older. Puppies