Just got a new puppy.

Hi, what kind of dog did you get??

The following links are copied from former members (thanks Brenda and Janet!!) and they provide some information for you to start with:

New Owner Threads:

Here are good threads for new owners (with lots of links):
http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/49/136310.html?1116496305
http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/46/75249.html?1090434639
(If there is an archive at the top, it has the beginning of the thread.) Note the post on a first aid kit for dogs.

Socialization - IMPORTANT - primary socialization window closes at 12 weeks (secondary at 16 weeks):
http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/48/143193.html#POST437334

Critical Periods in a Dog's Life -- Developmental Stages:
http://westwingsess.com/critical_stages.htm
http://www.dogclub.co.uk/advice/puppygrowth.php

House Training: (Thanks, Janet )

The best way to do house training is to use a crate that is just large enough for the pup to stand up, turn around, and lay down. The pup stays in the crate unless it can be very closely supervised -or- is being taken outside (or to potty pads) to potty/play.

Take the pup to potty as frequently as you can (once an hour if possible). Don't let the pup be on the floor in places that he shouldn't pee except right after he has already peed. The fewer mistakes the pup makes the faster he will be house trained.

The rule of thumb is that the pup can hold it (in hours) for its age in months, plus one. The pup should be taken out at least that often during the day and whenever the pup wakes up and whimpers at night. If the pup doesn't whimper and soils his crate at night, you may have to set an alarm. At night the pup should do his business and be put back in the crate - no playing.

Crating the pup for longer than it can hold it is cruel, so if the pup needs to be left for longer than that set up a restricted area (e.g. in a bathroom or in a x-pen in the kitchen). The area should have the crate, plus puppy pads (in a doggie litter box - helps with aim). Teach the pup to go in the litter box - as well as going outside (if feasible). [Larger breeds will outgrow the litter box, but small breeds can continue to use one as adults - if you wish them to do so.]

When the pup does potty where you want him to, "throw a party" - praise him, give him treats, and make a big deal about it. Convince your neighbors that you are completely crazy. Whenever possible, let the pup play for a few minutes afterwards so the pup will want to immediately do its business.

Never ever yell at or punish the pup for peeing. You will just teach the pup to hide to pee. Don't even let the pup see you clean up because some pups think it is a game to make their owners get down on the floor.

The first area of freedom for a pup should be a restricted area (like above). When the puppy is reliable there and you do allow the pup more freedom in the home, keep the area small and then slowly expand it. Watch closely, have a towel handy and scoop the pup up if it shows any sign of soiling. Feeding the pup in the new areas will help develop a prohibition against soiling there.

As the pup starts being more reliable, some people use a leash to attach the pup to their waist as they move around the house. That allows the owner to interrupt the pup before it soils and teaches the pup to stay with the owner in the home. Close proximity also helps with teaching the pup to chew only on appropriate items.

Be sure to clean all pee spots in an area with a good enzyme cleaner (Petastic?) or the pup will be attracted by the smell (even if you can't smell it). A lot of places sell small black lights for detecting urine.

Good luck with your new puppy!! We love to see pictures around here.

I got a Rat Terrier, What i am wondering, how will i know when he has to use the bathroom? The house training method you added is somewhat confusing for me, am i suppose to put him on the crate every few hours? so he can use the bathroom there?

You're supposed to crate the dog when it is not being supervised.  And each time you let it out of the crate, it's straight outside with him.  No eating, no drinking, no playing.  Straight outside.
 
Once he does his business you can play with and feed him (if it's feeding time) and water him.  If he does nothing at all outside, then you put him back in the crate for a while.  Later take him straight back outside again till he finally goes.
 
Once you are done playing with him, etc.  He goes back in the crate.  The crate is his den.  Due to instinct, he won't do his business in there if he can help it.  You'll want to make this crate a happy place for him.  When you put him in there, give him something to do, like stuff a kong full of something yummy.  That way he will want to be in there so he can get his special treat.  >^_^<
 
And remember, never use the crate as punishment.

The pup should be crated at all times that you are unable to devote 100% attention to him.  It takes VERY little time for them to squat and empty and if you aren't watching, mistakes happen.  The more often mistakes happen, the more the pup believes that it's OK to pee in the house.  Peeing in the house is NOT ok, so the less mistakes the better.  That's why you keep them confined unless you are able to give them your total attention.  When I have pups, I ALWAYS have a towel at hand....if someone starts to squat, I give them a gentle "not there" or unh uh and scoope them up in the towel (in case they can't stop, I don't really need to wear it) and get them outside pronto.  Once outside, I tell them "go potty" and praise like crazy when they do.  My most recent foster little was 7 pups, so I did a LOT of jumping up and running out......

I put potty pads on the floor of the basement. This is good for small dogs because they cannot hold it as long, so she just goes down the basement steps and goes. Its great for when you are not at home-they can relieve themselves whenever.
 
Of course, this is for when your dog is a little older. Right now your dog should be confined when you are not home, with a baby gated room or a crate. Try not to leave the dog alone for more than like 2 hours. Otherwise it may have to go in its crate, which dogs hate to do.