Training - Establish a consistent schedule

Establish a consistent schedule. Always take the pug puppy outside to go to the bathroom after a meal, nap and playtime, and in the morning and evening. Additionally, each time the puppy is released from its crate, it should go outside. Watch your pug puppy for soiling signs, such as circling an area, and take her out immediately. Always leash the untrained puppy, and state a simple verbal command, such as "go potty."

Pug - Dog Lover

Training - Harness the pug puppy's intelligence

Harness the pug puppy's intelligence. As pugs are an intelligent species, teaching a pug to ring a bell when it needs to go outside may prove effective. Tug on a roped bell (dangling from a doorknob) each time the pug goes outside. Repetition and a verbal command are keys to success. Soon the pug will learn to pull the bell itself.

Pug - Dog Lover

Training - Choose a potty-training method

Choose a potty-training method. There are plentiful housebreaking supplies on the market. Dog crates provide the benefit of controlling a puppy's environment and are an effective method for quick housebreaking results. Additionally, utilize pretreated potty-training trays or pads in the home, if the pug puppy soils frequently in the house.

Pug - Dog Lover

Training - Practice effective pack leadership

Practice effective pack leadership. Pugs are a sensitive breed, vulnerable to the tone of your voice. Therefore, practice leading with a calm, assertive energy (and avoid harsh scoldings). As pugs are willful, ensure you remain the alpha dog of the family through effective leadership exercises. A pug that respects its pack leader is more likely to follow commands and, therefore, housebreak quickly.

Pug - Dog Lover

Dog care - Brush your pug's teeth daily

Brush your pug's teeth daily, using a toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs. Pugs have the same amount of teeth as all other dogs, but in a very small space. These tightly packed teeth are prone to tooth decay, which can lead to larger health problems. If a tooth has to be removed, it can become very costly. Most pugs will not enjoy having their teeth brushed at first, but will become more agreeable as daily toothbrushing becomes a routine.

Pug - Dog Lover

Dog care - Ask your veterinarian about medicines your pug

Ask your veterinarian about medicines your pug should be on to prevent fleas, ticks, worms and mites. These pests can lead to serious health problems in addition to making your pug itchy and uncomfortable. Other pests may be present, depending on where you live. You vet can best advise you about medications and precautions.

Pug - Dog Lover

Dog care - Clean inside the creases of your pug's face daily

Clean inside the creases of your pug's face daily to prevent infection. Use a damp cotton swab to gently clean out any dirt that may be stuck in the folds of the skin.

Pug - Dog Lover

Dog care - Keep your pug out of extreme heat

Keep your pug out of extreme heat. Unlike most breeds, pugs have small breathing passageways that prevent them from being able to regulate their own temperature. If it is over 80 degrees Fahrenheit outside, pugs should not be left in cars or outdoors for more than a a few minutes.

Pug - Dog Lover

Dog care - Feed your pug nutritious dog food

Feed your pug nutritious dog food and avoid feeding people food. This will help keep your pug from becoming overweight, which puts extra strain on the joints and spine.

Pug - Dog Lover

Dog care - Walk your pug often

Walk your pug often. Pugs are very sedentary dogs that often sleep more than 14 hours a day. Without proper exercise, pugs are prone to becoming obese, which can lead to many health problems. Use a harness, instead of a collar, to avoid putting pressure on your pug's fragile windpipes.

Pug - Dog Lover

Dog care - Study health problem

Pugs are a toy dog breed. They usually do not get larger than 12 to 14 pounds and have either a fawn or black coat. Like all breeds, pugs have certain health problems that are unique to them. Some of these problems include obesity, heat stroke, skin infections and tooth decay. These problems can all be avoided through a few simple precautions.

Pug - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Get references

Get references. A happy customer would be more than willing to leave his or her name to share the positive experience the breeder has provided.

Pug - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Your contact with the breeder will likely last for at least the first year

Your contact with the breeder will likely last for at least the first year because quality breeders continue providing you with information, support, and advice about many different aspects of your new puppy and his or her development. It's for just this reason that finding a good quality breeder, with a solid reputation, is very important to finding the puppy that will be right for you.

Pug - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Do the interview in person on the premises

Do the interview in person on the premises, rather than on the phone because you'll be able to meet the breeder and observe all the dogs and puppies. The premises should be clean and smell good.

These are some of the questions you'll want to ask the breeder:

When was the mother last bred? How many litters has the mother had total? Specific characteristics of the breed. Any genetic problems in the bloodlines?

Pug - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Meet the parents

Meet the parents. As with any puppy, the parents are good indications of what the puppies will be like. Good pug parents are very friendly, loving and playful. Be wary if either parent is hyper or aggressive toward you or the puppies.

Pug - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Examine each puppy closely

Examine each puppy closely. Look for a clean coat. It should be shiny and smooth, though possibly a bit coarse. The eyes should be big, bright and clear.

Pug puppies may have tear stains, but there shouldn’t be any red or pink areas. A pug’s legs should be short and the body should be stout. Look at the nose to see how big the nostrils are. It may not be a problem, but surgery can be done to widen them if breathing becomes an issue. Your breeder should be able to tell you if any of her puppies has had this problem.

Pug - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Observe each puppy you are looking to adopt

Observe each puppy you are looking to adopt. Determine their personalities within the litter and alone with you. If you have small children, now is a great time to see how a puppy responds to them. Does the puppy like to be held? Watch how he responds when you move him to another room away from its litter mates. Use different toys to check for dominant, timid or fearful behavior.

Pug - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Interview the breeder before you meet the puppies

Interview the breeder before you meet the puppies. You don’t want to fall in love with a puppy before you find out if the breeder is trustworthy. Find out how long the breeder has been in business and why he chose to breed pugs. Be sure to find out if there have ever been any health problems with the breeder’s pugs and if there is a health guarantee (usually a 24 to 48 hour time period for you to take the puppy to your vet for a full checkup.)

Pug - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Find a reputable breeder

Find a reputable breeder. Ask a vet or friends and family with a pug for recommendations. Contact a local kennel club and even the American Kennel Club for a listing of approved breeders. Note that reputable breeders don’t often advertise in newspapers unless they have to.

Pug - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Pugs tend to have sensitive skin

Pugs tend to have sensitive skin and may be prone to mange or other skin problems.

Pug - Dog Lover