You might be surprised to learn that one of the most-loved toys for dogs is probably sitting in your kitchen right now. Believe it or not, it's a water bottle.

Dogs love the satisfying crunch and crinkle of regular plastic water bottles. Whether given empty, filled with treats or frozen with water inside, dogs go crazy for these inexpensive and versatile "toys". All that chewing is a great way for dogs to keep their teeth and jaws strong. Many dogs also love the way that empty water bottles sound as they are chewed. Before giving a water bottle to your dog, always remove the cap and label as well as the small plastic ring that secures the cap. A pair of small scissors can be used to snip off the latter if you cannot easily remove it on your own. As with any dog toy, it is important to supervise play and regularly inspect water bottles for damage to avoid the ingestion of plastic or damage from sharp edges. When the plastic breaks down, the sharp edges can cut your dog's mouth.
Unfortunately, too much chewing can weaken the plastic of the bottle until it cracks. But don't let that keep your dog from enjoying this awesome toy. You can get covers for these bottles at most pet supply stores. Your dog can get all of the enjoyment of playing with a plastic bottle without the safety hazards. 

Socializing Your New Puppy

One of your most important jobs as a puppy parent is to properly socialize your new little bundle of joy.  Good, early, and consistent socialization can prevent a number of problems as the puppy grows older.  For example, socialization can help curb stranger anxiety, fear biting, and aggression.

What is Socialization?

In the simplest terms, socialization means getting your puppy accustomed to different stimuli so he or she isn’t scared by these stimuli later.  Socialization can be done formally, informally, or both. an example of formal socialization is a puppy class, where your baby will be given the opportunity to meet and play with other young dogs.  Informal socialization includes taking your puppy with you wherever you possibly can.  If you’re going to the park, take Max along.  Going to the market?  Buttercup is looking forward to the car ride.  Just remember to take a friend along so you can leave the air conditioner or heater running while you are in the store.

Keys to a Good Socialization Experience

The biggest thing to remember about socialization is that you want to expose your puppy to various stimuli only when you can control his or her experience.  Remember that crowds are unpredictable, so you will want to start your puppy off with small groups of your trusted friends and family members. If the puppy becomes startled or scared because someone moves too quickly or something else happens that you didn’t plan on, it can cause a huge setback in your socialization efforts.  Make sure you show the puppy how fun it is to meet new people and see new things by your own demeanor and voice tone. When your puppy responds appropriately to what’s going on around him or her, reward the animal with treats, praise, play time, or a good belly rub. When you first get your puppy spend some time figuring out which rewards mean the most.  Some dogs are driven by play, others by food.  To find out which type of puppy you have, place some treats at one side of his or her play area, and various types of toys at the other end.  See which one the dog wants to partake of first.

If the dog doesn’t appreciate the socialization experiences you have so carefully planned, remain calm, but let the dog know you disapprove.  Tell the puppy “uh-oh” and separate him or her briefly from whatever activity is going on.  After a few minutes, bring the dog back into the fun and praise him or her for a better reaction.

Socialization vs. Obedience Training

Although they are often mentioned in the same breath, socialization is not quite the same as obedience training.  Obedience training involves teaching your dog to perform a limited set of actions based on the commands you give, such as sit, stay, and heel. Socialization, on the other hand, teaches your dog to react appropriately to unexpected situations.  You want your dog to be able to remain calm when children run past your yard or when you have company over.  The easiest and best way to get your puppy to accomplish this amazing feat is to expose him or her to as many different situations as possible while the dog is young and knows no fear. As your dog grows older, he or she begins to realize that there are many things in this world that could  harm the hairs on his or her little head.  With that realization comes the beginning of fear, and with fear comes many unacceptable behaviors.  A fearful dog may lose control of his or her bowels and bladder, or the dog may bite people, chase cars, or become aggressive toward other dogs. By exposing a puppy to as many different experiences as possible before these behaviors begin, you will help the animal learn to feel comfortable whether he or she is challenged by loud noises, other dogs, crowds of  people, or small children.

Some of the important things your puppy should learn are:

■To be calm in his or her crate
■To keep his teeth to himself
■To keep all four feet on the ground
■To acknowledge you as the alpha pack member
■To “leave it” when you give the command
■To allow nail trimming, ear cleaning, and other grooming tasks
■To realize that you will come back for him or her every time
■To allow others to come near his or her food, crate, toys, and bed
■To stop barking on command
■To stay off furniture (if that’s the rule at your house) or to get off when told
■To allow you to go to the bathroom or down the stairs without “assistance”