You’ll be out and about in your neighborhood with your new puppy as soon as you bring him/her home. For your dog, this means a whole lot of new things to see and smell. Couple this with a young pup who isn’t yet trained, and you have some things to be aware of.

There are typically local rules you’ll want to make sure you’re up to speed on. If you live in an apartment complex, or your neighborhood has a Home Owners’ Association, those rules should be fairly easy to get your hands on. If not, check with your city or county administrators to find out what animal control laws you need to be aware of. Legally, your dog will need a license. 

When other dogs approach your dog they typically signal how they feel about your dog with their tail. A jerky, high wag can mean they feel threatened, and a low, loose wag, usually means they’re friendly and curious about your new puppy. Pay attention to how a strange dog is approaching, and be sure to ask the owner how their dog feels about other dogs.