Housetraining : The method for housetraining a puppy or an adult dog is very similar. Even if your new dog is supposed to be housebroken, it is wise to follow these guidelines until he has adjusted to his new home.

Dogs are happiest when their days follow a routine. Once you decide on the schedule, you must follow it every day -- even on the weekend! Choose logical times to take your dog out for a potty break: immediately when he first wakes up in the morning, immediately when you first get home from work, immediately when he wakes up from a nap, and an hour or so after each meal, etc. Always use the same command -- "outside", "go potty", etc. Take him to the same spot every time so he recognizes the odor and gets the idea of what is expected. You MUST stay with your dog so you can praise him when he goes. If you're not there, he'll have no idea why he's outside and may be so interested in getting back in the house with you that he'll forget to go.

Be patient! If you do not follow up every day, rain or shine, it will take longer for your dog to be housetrained. If you are religious with his routine, your dog should begin to get the idea after the first week, but to be completely reliable could take several months, especially for puppies.

Crate Training: Once you understand the idea of crate training your dog, you will find a crate can be a humane and effective solution to a list of common problems:

1. A crate is a safe haven for your dog.
2. Crating prevents chewing and other types of destruction.
3. A crate prevents house soiling.
4. A crate is a safe place to ride in the car.

A crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in when he is full grown. Start out slowly and never force your dog into the crate. This should always be a positive experience. Throw a treat in and let him get it and run right back out. Repeat until he is comfortable going in and out.

Start feeding your dog in the crate with the door open, putting the food a little further back in the crate with each meal. When he shows no fear of being inside (this can take days) quietly shut the door for a few seconds, praise him and then open the door, letting him come out. After a few days of this, shut the door and sit outside for a few minutes. He may fuss at first, but just ignore him. Praise him and let him out as soon as he settles down. Gradually increase the amount of time he spends in the crate and the distance you are from the crate. Never give him attention when he is fussing or whining, neither sympathy nor correction.

Do not leave a dog in the crate too long. Four hours during the day is enough, with shorter times for puppies.

The crate should always be a safe, happy place for your dog. It is not a place to punish him. You can keep the crate in your room at night, so he can be with you without getting into mischief. You will rest easier and have a happier dog if he is crate trained! !

House Proofing: When bringing a new dog, or puppy, into your home show him the toys that are his. Replace an inappropriate object that he may find with one of his own toys.

Put away anything dangerous (such as certain plants) or valuable items (books, remote controls, tapes, shoes, etc.). Sometimes spraying Bitter Apple on items that are not easily put away can deter the dog's attention to something acceptable.

Puppy or Adult: If you have the time and family situation that welcomes a puppy be sure to take the time and effort to find a qualified breeder. In this way you can find the best puppy for your family situation. (See Finding a Breeder)

Young dogs and puppies require a great deal of attention, training and time if they are to become a pleasant part of your life. Leaving for work at 7:30 AM and coming home at 6:00 PM five days a week does not leave much time for working with a four-legged baby.

They say wine improves with age. So can dogs. With the busy lifestyle many people now lead, adopting an older dog is often better than getting a puppy. Take heart if you want a dog, yet realize that a puppy may not be for you. Check with a local breeder or a Bouvier rescue group. Given time and care, an older dog can bond just like a puppy .

Leash Training: Your dog must be taught to walk freely on a leash and have good manners. Start first with a soft nylon or leather collar and switch later to a light choke collar. Leave the collar on for short periods at first, then attach a leash that can be dragged along behind. Face the puppy/dog while backing up, and call him towards you. Have him come with you by occasional short, sharp tugs on the leash interspersed with a lot of pats and "good boys." As time progresses, exert a little more force with the tugs.

A choke collar should be removed after every exercise. NEVER leave a choke collar on a loose dog. The dog can get his paw stuck through the collar or catch the collar on a fence or other protrusion and choke to death trying to free himself. Thousands of dogs die an agonizing death this way each year. A choke collar should only be used when attached to a leash.

Children: The parent who teaches a youngster proper behavior with a puppy or dog is establishing a lifelong pattern for the child. Parents should never allow a child to pick up or carry a puppy. When a child plays with a puppy it should always be at ground level. The child, who helps train the puppy, with adult supervision, also gains a sense of responsibility while learning about canine behavior. Both the puppy/dog and the child should be taught that there is a special place in the house where the dog can go to be alone. A crate, a dog bed, a corner or a spot under a table should be reserved for the pup and the child should be taught to respect the dog's solitude. Please remember: Young children should never be left alone with a dog.

Discipline, when necessary, must be done correctly. If something inappropriate occurs, have the child walk away. The discipline should be done by an adult. DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO DISCIPLINE !

Bouviers grow to be quite large. Do not allow the puppy to play or interact with children or adults in a way that would be unsafe when he is 80 pounds plus (i.e. Jumping up). It takes time, effort and commitment on the part of the parents to develop mutual respect and love between dogs and children.

Care/Training Providers: You will need various qualified specialists to assist you with your Bouvier -- veterinarians, groomers and trainers (obedience, herding, agility, etc.). This is not the time to settle for the closest or least expensive provider. Ask around, and get the best referrals possible. Cutting corners at the start can be very expensive in the long run. Find someone you can work with and call with your questions, and someone who really wants to help you and your dog. Your breeder should have some suggestions of Care/Training Providers that can be of great help in your area.