The canine workout

The canine workout.

Some dogs naturally need more activity and mental stimulation than others. Often this is breed-related. Your veterinarian can advise you about what's right for your puppy. If your puppy is high-energy, he'll generally need two 30-minute sessions a day. You may need to assign the sessions to different family members. Medium-energy dogs need two 20-minute sessions daily, and less active dogs can get by on two 15-minute sessions every day.

And to make sure your puppy grows accustomed to brushing, be sure to reward him with a treat or with praise when you're done.

Lawn alert.
Make sure your puppy's play area is safe:

Follow label directions when using weed killers and pest control, and keep your puppy out of freshly treated areas.
Don't let your puppy chew on flowers or shrubbery. Some plants may be toxic.
Lawn mowers, weed trimmers, saws and other tools must be moved out of your dog's reach. And keep dogs away from hot barbecue grills too.
On the fence.
Keeping your dog safe in your yard requires good fencing. Here are a few of the most popular options:

Privacy fencing provides excellent containment and helps keep a noisy dog from barking since there are no openings to see outside.
Chain-link fencing is durable, inexpensive and effective for most dogs. Some can climb these fences and collars can get tangled on fence edges.
Underground electric fencing, or "invisible" fencing, is a good solution for some dogs. It can't be jumped over or dug under. But it doesn't keep other animals out, and some hunting breeds will ignore the fence while chasing prey.
A covered kennel will keep your puppy from digging, climbing or jumping out. Just remember, your dog will still need plenty of outside exercise and quality time with you.
ID required.
If your puppy is playing outside more often, it's essential to provide proper pet ID. At minimum, this means plastic collar tags with your phone number. You might also check with your veterinarian about microchip or tattoo IDs-affordable options that stay with your dog.