You’ve brought your much-anticipated new puppy home and are delighted with this adorable little creature who just wants to play, cuddle, love you, and let you revel in that heavenly puppy breath. However, within the first hour, you’re reminded of the daunting task of potty training after they leave their first “present” on your carpet.

Adopting or buying a puppy is no fly-by-night decision. You hopefully spent a lot of time deciding on the best dog breed for your family, settled on your veterinary and/or pet insurance budget, and of course, agonized over the most magnificent moniker for your precious pup.

How much do we love thee, puppies? Oh, let us count the ways. Puppy breath, silky fur, endless kisses, oh my! The one thing that every puppy owner dreads, however, is accidents. And those of us in the veterinary community will tell you, the only certainties in life are death, taxes, and puppy accidents. It comes with the territory!

When a puppy dog is brought into your home, it is an exciting time that brings both rewards and challenges.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 4.5 million dog bites occur in the U.S every single year. The majority of dog bite victims are children. In addition, children are most often bitten during everyday interaction with dogs that they know. As responsible pet owners, and to those who are parents to small children, it is important to take every preventative measure possible to avoid anyone from being harmed.