Here are some of my FiveSibes™ tips: 

• Enroll in School. Puppy kindergarten class is a great way for you and your family to bond with your puppies, socialize them, and get helpful tips on everything from teaching commands to teething and potty training. Check with your veterinarian, groomer, breeder, community dog park patrons, and your local rescue or shelter staff to ask for their recommendations on a reputable trainer and canine behaviorist. 

• Have Patience. When puppies are crying at night, chewing up the woodwork, or are decorating your floor with their puppy poop, you will need patience. I say just breathe, embrace it, and enjoy the ride! In reality, it is such a short period of time before puppy shenanigans will be a thing of the past. 

• Quality Time. While it is important to teach them respect for each other as a bonded group, it is just as important to give them each their own quality time to bond with you. It is also especially important to carve out some solo time for the dogs already in your family, so they can be assured they are still your best friends. It also helps to ease any stress they may be feeling with a whole bunch of young’uns invading their territory. 

• Positive Reinforcement. This is my mantra for all things canine. With positive reinforcement, training is much faster and pups are happy and proud with each goal they achieve, the same as with us humans! 

• Don’t Fear the Crate. When they are ready, separate them into their own crates, positioned facing each other. A crate not only offers a safe haven for puppies, but most will love their “den” well into their dog years.

• Training Tools. A frozen (creamy) peanut butter filled rubber treat toy will become your best friend and help to keep the puppies happily occupied. 

• High-Value Treats. Treats are our secret weapon! Make sure they are not only wholesome but also something über-special that they do not get at any other time to ensure you will have their undivided attention and desire to perform commands upon request! 

• Be Consistent. Repetition—keeping to the same schedule each day—is truly the path to success with teaching multiple young pups at the same time. By being consistent, it lays down the guidelines to successful training. 

• Sense of Humor. This goes without saying! Especially when one puppy successfully does his/her duty on a training pad and, while you are happily praising the proud pup, the other two decide it is more fun to rip that soiled pad apart in a spontaneous game of Tug o’ war, spilling its load (pardon the pun) everywhere! 

• Record the Memories. Be sure in the midst of all the craziness to take time to photograph and videotape the growing pups. When the pups are all grown, you will love to look back at their puppy days and see how the family all came together.