Be One with the Puppy  

While a full advocate of dog obedience training even at the young age of puppy, it needs to be said that like children, dogs are only a puppy for a very short period of time. Yes, it's a time for training and socialization and housebreaking and everything else that goes along with owning a puppy. Still, all too often we forget the real reason why we bought a puppy in the first place. Fun!

 Romping with a little puppy is one of the few inexpensive joys of living. At this time, puppies think that you are probably the absolute most wonderful person. They learn to anticipate when you come home from work and when you leave in the morning. I had a Rottweiler for almost 13 years that even in those later years when he slept most of the time, my dog always managed to be at the door just as I was walking in. Kids grow up and go off on their own, but a puppy grows up to be your very own four-legged fan club.

I remember laying on the floor in the living room reading the newspaper after a hard days work. My Rottweiler puppy Willie, would unceremoniously plant himself right in the middle of the newspaper making certain to lick my eyeglasses. It was almost as if he was saying there would be no more work today, it's time to build some sweet memories.

We would end up playing around and wrestling on the floor. I know you should never play with the dog with your own hands but Willie and I seemed to have this bond that was kept all throughout his life. When he tired, my little pup Willie would go over to the fireplace and curl up in the wood carrier. Sometimes he would decide to go to sleep directly on my slippers with his nose firmly lodged inside the right one.

I did crate training with Willie to housebreak him. Of course there were accidents but he was a great dog nonetheless. It took awhile but he got the hang of it. Although we moved several times during his life, Willie always seemed to know that going to the bathroom in a house was just wrong.

Willie and I had a great time together a short 13 years. Sometimes even today I long to once again enjoy that distinctive puppy breath and see my 4 legged friend once again waiting by the door. He was a great dog. I will never forget the time we spent together.

If you're thinking of getting a puppy, remember to enjoy the good times and not obsess over training and other necessities. He's only a puppy for a short while and they leave way to early.