The joy of getting a puppy is something every first-time owner is very excited about. It’s pretty much like a shoe-addict finding a pair of wedges she has been coveting for the longest time. Owning a puppy, however, is not as easy as picking the restaurant you want to go to for dinner or the pair of shoes you’ll be taking home with you from the department store. Taking care of a pup is pretty much like taking care of a young baby; you need to commit yourself to making sure it grows up healthy and strong and, yes, disciplined.

Part of the responsibility of taking care of your dog is toilet training it so that it doesn’t do its business just anywhere. But toilet training your dog is not an easy task. It requires a whole lot of patience, dedication, and serious commitment, not to mention consistency. If you don’t think you will be able to give all these and more, you may want to rethink getting a pet.

For those of you, though, who are first-time dog owners willing to commit to your pups’ training and health, check out the slide show below for tips on toilet training your pup.

Want to read more articles about pet care? Try these:

• Mommy, Can I Keep Him? 12 Things to Remember When Giving Your Kids Their First Pet
• Canine Companions: 5 Reasons to Get Your Kids a Dog
• What Every Pet Owner Should Know about Vaccines: 5 FAQs and Their Answers
• 10 Questions to Ask Yourself When Picking a Vet
• 16 Basic Items Every New Pet Owner Must Have
• Doggy-Dangerous Munchies: 20 Food Items Not to Feed Your Pooch
• Canine Cribs: 6 Tips for Creating a Dog-Friendly Home
• Fur Files: 10 Things to Consider before Adopting a Pet
• Wipe It! 5 Ways to Deal with Your Pet's Messes
• Food for Your Fur Baby: 5 Things You Should Consider When Picking Dog Chow