You’ve had a long, exhausting day at work. You’re tired of dealing with people, and you can’t wait to collapse onto your bed.

You finally crawl into your bed and snuggle under the covers. Soon, you feel something soft and warm cuddle up next to you. It’s your newly-adopted puppy, who somehow knows you’ve had a bad day and need comfort. You close your eyes and fall asleep with a smile on your face and its presence warming you.

Few things in life rival the comfort and coziness a pet can bring you. A puppy can be your best companion if you raise it right. Following certain tips will ensure a healthy relationship between you and your pup.

1. Play The Name Game Right
Choosing a name for your new puppy can be one of the most fun parts of getting one. You should, of course, pick a name that you love, but for the sake of making training easier, it helps to choose a short name that ends with a strong constant.

Doing this will allow you to say his name so that he can always hear it clearly—a name with a strong ending such as ‘Jack’ or ‘Mark’ perks up puppy ears, especially when you place a strong emphasis at the end.

2. Your House, Your Rules
Before you bring your new puppy home, come up with a set of rules. This involves deciding what it can and can’t do—for example, is it allowed to sit on the bed? Is it allowed to climb the furniture? Are certain parts of the house off-limits?

The earlier you settle on rules, the earlier you can set boundaries and avoid confusion for both you and your puppy.

3. A Place Of His Own
Just like you, your puppy sometimes needs privacy. That’s why it’s best to set up a private little area that’s just for him.

From the earliest possible time, set up a sleeping space that’s not used by anyone else in the family (especially your other pets!). Your puppy will benefit from short periods during which he’ll be left alone in the comfort and safety of his den.

4. Reward, Reward, Reward
Be sure to reward your puppy’s good behavior with positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement you can use includes treats, toys, or just a whole lot of love. It’s super important for your puppy to know when he’s getting it right.

Be careful, however, to never reward bad behavior. We know your puppy’s probably so cute that you want to reward him for all activities, good or bad, but trust us, that’s not a good idea – doing so will only encourage him to repeat the same bad behavior again.

5. End Things Positively
Always, always, always end your dog training sessions on a positive note. Your puppy’s worked hard to please you throughout the session, so be sure to let him know you appreciate it. Phrases like “Good boy!” or “Good work, buddy!” will get his tail wagging and ensure that he shows up to the next class.

Training your new puppy requires a lot of patience, but is extremely rewarding. Follow these tips and your pooch should be on his best behavior in no time!