This article is about the juvenile dog. For other uses, see Puppy (disambiguation). A Keeshond-Sibirian Husky puppy A Great Pyrenees pup. A puppy is a juvenile dog, generally less than one year of age that has not reached sexual maturity. The term is sometimes abbreviated to pup, a term also used for the offspring of wolves. Puppy size varies among breeds, smaller puppies may weigh 1-3 lbs, while others are 15-20 lbs. All healthy puppies grow rapidly after birth. Coats can change color as the puppy grows older, as is commonly seen in breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier. Contents 1 Breeding 2 Training 3 Physical alteration 4 References 5 See also Breeding Newborn Golden Retriever puppies Reputable dog breeders raise their animals in humane conditions, provide good socialization and often formal training, and adhere to the breed standard. They are knowledgeable about major health problems associated with their breed, and with the principles of genetics, frequently undertaking specific matings to produce or refine particular desirable characteristics in their dogs. Less than scrupulous breeding operations, known as Puppy mills, may provide less attention to genetics, prenatal care, and nutrition, and often produce puppies which are improperly socialized and in poor health. Training Puppies need to be trained and properly socialized to ensure good manners and safety throughout their lives. Training puppies is not always easy: it requires a lot of work, as they do not know right from wrong and must rely on the owner for guidance. Often, aggressive or skittish adult dogs can be blamed on the owner's lack of discipline and training.[citation needed] It is critical for puppy socialization that they interact often with humans and be exposed to a variety of objects and situations. Training of basic obedience can begin at the same time, although recommendations for how intense and how soon vary. Training for young puppies is generally recommended to be light, gentle, and fun; more like a game than an exercise. Most formal puppy classes accept puppies starting at three months of age, although some provide socialization classes for younger pups. Local dog trainers may also offer some in home training for younger puppies. Housebreaking can begin by the time the puppy is two to three months old, although they usually do not have enough control of their bladder to be completely housebroken until they are six months to a year old.[citation needed] Some find that using training pads is an effective method of housebreaking. Others prefer to use a crate training method. Physical alteration Some

ROCHELLE RILEY | OFF THE PAGE: Republicans unleash attack puppies on Barack Obama (Detroit Free Press)

Oh, God. America has discovered that Sen. Barack Obama is half-black. And the attack puppies are on the loose.

Pa. attorney general moves to shut down dog kennel (Centre Daily Times)

Pennsylvania's attorney general has asked a court to shut down one of the state's largest dog sellers for allegedly violating a consumer-fraud settlement over the sale of sick puppies.

Corbett moves to shut down Lancaster County dog kennel (The Patriot-News)

Pennsylvania's attorney general wants a court to shut down a dog kennel that he says has violated a consumer-fraud settlement over the sale of sick puppies.

Antioch GI's dog rescued from Iraq (Lake County News-Sun)

A rescue mission to transport six dogs adopted by GIs in Iraq -- including one from Antioch -- is under way. On Monday, the program coordinator for Operation Baghdad Pups left for the Middle East to try to get the puppies to the United States. One of the dogs scheduled to be picked up, a mixed-breed puppy named Boo, belongs to Spec. Ashley Siwula, 21, of Antioch.

New Social Networking Site for Puppies Has Dogs Wagging Their Tails with Happiness (PRWeb)

FriskyPups.com provides a wealth of free valuable dog owner services including puppy matchmaking, play date scheduling, and dog park rendezvous. (PRWeb Oct 14, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1463614.htm

Dogs seized in dog-breeding raid (BBC News)

Eleven dogs are seized after police raid a suspected illegal dog-breeding operation

New Social Networking Site for Puppies Has Dogs Wagging Their Tails with Happiness (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)

FriskyPups.com provides a wealth of free valuable dog owner services including puppy matchmaking, play date scheduling, and dog park rendezvous.