This article was written specifically for the Rover-Timers that became expectant parents this year. Here's my best advice on how to get ready and what we prioritized getting done to ensure our dog's emotional and physical well-being over the long-haul.

The basic commands of "sit," "stay," "come," and "down" are often the first things taught to puppies, but prioritizing certain behaviors will help set you up for success with others.

Clicker training is an effective and dog-friendly application of behavior science used in training animals. It often involves a little plastic noisemaker that’s used to identify the behaviors for which your dog will be rewarded. But what if your dog is afraid of that noise, or can’t hear it at all? Can you still use this method?

When it comes to walking, many dog trainers prefer harnesses over flat collars. However, they will only be effective if they are properly fitted to the dog. A "no-pull" harness can be used to deter pulling in dogs who haven’t yet learned to walk on a loose leash.