Author name: Matt Milar

A small home works better when every puppy item has a job and a place. Build a resting area, a supervised play area and one compact care basket before adding extra equipment.

A puppy’s Christmas gift can be small, useful and easy to fit into everyday life. Start with what the puppy actually needs: a suitable play toy, a missing grooming tool, or help completing the owner’s starter supplies.

Start with one appropriately sized toy and learn how your puppy uses it. A large multipack is less useful if most of its pieces are the wrong size or do not hold up to your puppy’s chewing.

A crate gives a puppy a smaller resting space. A playpen creates a larger supervised area for moving around and playing. Start with the one that solves your immediate problem, then add the other if your routine needs it.