Useful Information

I think the best place to start would be when you first meet with your new puppy. Picking out a puppy is wonderful but letting the puppy pick you out is an excellent move on your part. The puppy that keeps coming over to you is very attracted to you and will be much easier to handle and train because he wants to please you.
Get down to the puppy's level. Sit down on the floor and offer the puppy your hand to smell and even taste with a quick lick. Never lean over to pick a new puppy up because they take that as a threatening gesture and will become frightened. We look like giants to these little creatures.
Try not to be loud, make loud noises or quick movements when with your new puppy. Again, this could frighten the puppy.
When picking up your puppy, hold him/her close to your body. This will provide assurance to the puppy that it is safe. Try sitting on the floor the first couple of times you pick your puppy up. Most puppies are afraid of heights.
Keep your puppy supplied with a wide variety of chews and toys. These will be very helpful to both you and your furniture as they go through the chewing stage. Never give a puppy an old sock or shoe to chew on. This will confuse it when you go to scolding it when they do it to your good shoes and socks.
When scolding your puppy get down to his/her level. Towering over it will threaten them and they will concentrate more on the threat then on the scolding. Never just tell your puppy "no". The can not reason things out. Always include the reason with the no. Examples: No teeth. No jumping up, get down. If correcting him/her for chewing on the leg of the table or frame of the door, say "no chewing on the table" and hand it a chew or toy. Then praise it for chewing on the toy.
Puppies are big on schedules. They expect to be fed at the same time, be able to go out to potty at regular times and even learn when it is playtime. Puppies are much easier to train if they get into a routine.
Socialize your puppy as much as possible with other people and animals. At first the puppy may not want other company but with time will come to want the company. DO NOT FORCE YOUR PUPPY TO PLAY WITH OTHER ANIMALS OR PEOPLE. They need to move at their own speed. Just make sure there is the opportunities available to him/her.
Make sure you give your puppy lots of praise when he/she does something right. They thrive on praise and want to please you.
Never hit your puppy with your hand. Nothing is as confusing as having the hand that feeds and pets him/her used to hurt it. When a puppy, or a dog for that matter, is being hit with your hand it startles and hurts him and his/her reaction to that is to bite what is hurting it. It is a natural reaction for it to lash out at what hurt it, just as it is a human. Scolding it is the worst punishment for a dog.
Your puppy at first will have a very short attention span. As they mature, they will be more attentive to what you are trying to train it. Keep training sessions short at first and then lengthen them as the puppy gets older.
The last tip I can offer you is to show your puppy, or dog, lots of affection and love. In return you will receive a loyal, loving, well behaved family member that will love you with all their heart. If you don't believe me, the next time that you have had a horrible day and nothing makes you happy, sit down with your dog and look into its eyes and feel the love he/she has to offer. THERE IS NO BETTER MEDICATION THAN A PET.