The decorations are coming down, the kids are back in school and the holiday bills are hitting the mailbox. And suddenly that adorable little puppy seems like a lot more work than you figured he would be when you put that bright ribbon around his neck a couple of weeks ago.

You're not the only one who's feeling that way.

In the months to come, the shelters will see a steady flow of young dogs, as the formerly adorables grow into their leggy adolescence, untrained, unsocialized and seemingly unredeemable. Too many will never get another chance at a happy home. The difference between the cherished and the throwaways? In your puppy's case, it's mostly you.

Yes, your puppy needs a trip to the veterinarian for vaccinations, parasite control and neutering. Yes, your puppy needs a warm place to sleep, good food, fresh water, and a collar with ID and a license. But year in and year out, the thing that dooms more promising young pups is not getting sick, not getting lost -- it's not being raised properly.

If you have a new puppy now, there's no time to waste.

Forget everything you ever heard about training starting at six months. If you let this go until summer, you may never recover the ground you lose now. Your puppy starts learning the moment he's born, and by the time you bring him into your life he's as absorbent as a sponge, trying to figure out the sights, sounds and smells of his new world and find his place in it. You need to help him find the answers, because you might not like the one he comes up with on his own.

It's not that complicated, really. Your puppy wants to be a part of your family, and he craves gentle, loving leadership. To raise him into the dog of your dreams, you must take time for the following:

-- Bond with your puppy. Bring him into your home, into your family, into your life. A puppy can't learn how to behave around people if he's never allowed in from the back yard.

-- Socialize your puppy. You cannot expose a puppy to too many things -- people, places and other animals. An unsocialized puppy too often becomes a shy or aggressive dog. Talk to your veterinarian about when and where it's safe to take you pup out, and then get him visiting. Puppy classes are especially good for this purpose; ask your veterinarian for a referral.

-- Never let your puppy do anything you wouldn't want a grown dog to do. Puppies are cute chewing on a slipper or jumping up for a slurpy kiss. Dogs are not. Remember always that preventing bad habits is easier than fixing them.

-- Teach your puppy using positive methods: Make training fun! No matter how bratty he is, no matter how tired you are, always reward your puppy for doing it right. If you find you're not getting through in training him, find a trainer and get help before it's too late.

-- Pay attention to both formal and informal training. "Sit," "stay" and "come" are all important, but your puppy must also learn things like tolerating grooming and nail trims, sitting for his leash and dish, and letting his veterinarian examine him. Make good manners a part of his regimen from the beginning.

-- Realize your puppy makes mistakes, and don't get angry when he does. He's a baby, and he's counting on you to help him learn. Anger never accomplishes anything. Take a break, call it a day, whatever -- but don't ever let your anger get the best of you.

Puppyhood is a special time, and it's over all too fast. Every minute you spend with your puppy is worthwhile -- not only now, when he's so cute, but later, when he's the wonderful dog you always dreamed of having. Investing time now pays off in a lifetime of love, and that's the best holiday gift of all.

Pets on the Web: The library of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has pulled together a good resource for anyone considering traveling by air with a pet. Their Pet Care Home Page (http://www.library.uiuc.edu/vex/cpl/faq/travel.htm) lists books and magazine articles on the subject, as well as links to pet-travel regulations for American, United, Northwest, Delta and TWA. A link to a Web site with an overview of the U.S. Department of Transportation's regulations for transporting animals by air can also be found on this well-organized site.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is the editorial director of the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Giori(at)aol.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

Experts say it's a good idea to check the batteries in your smoke detector twice a year, when setting the clock forward or back. For the last few years, I've tried to encourage another safety check: the New Year's pet neck-check.

It'll just take a minute, and you could be saving your pet's life.

First, check the collar. Is your dog wearing a "choke" collar? If so, take it off right now and give thanks that your pup is still alive.

No dog should ever wear such a collar except under direct supervision. Every year hundreds of dogs are killed struggling to free themselves from a caught choke collar. Their natural instinct to pull away only makes matters worse, as the collar pulls tighter and tighter the more the animal struggles. There have even been cases of dogs killed when their choke collars caught in the teeth of other dogs in play.

For everyday wear, a buckled collar is the only way to go. (Somebody tell Bill Clinton, quickly: You don't need a choke collar on a puppy, and the one on that dog's too large anyway!)

Even if you have a safe collar on your pet, give it a good look. Is it frayed or worn out? A well-worn collar could give way when you least expect it, letting your pet escape into a dangerous or even deadly situation. If it looks weak or worn, replace it right away.

Make sure the collar fits properly. Check by seeing how many fingers you can slip between your pet's neck and collar. Two is about right, although one will do for toy dogs, and three may be needed for large ones.

Now about those tags. Implanted microchips are wonderful (both my dogs are chipped), but they won't ever replace tags. Make sure your pet has both a valid license and an ID tag with your phone number on it. The tag with your phone number is very important, since few animal-control agencies are equipped to locate pet-owner phone numbers 24 hours a day.

Look at the ID tag. How accurate is the information? Did you move or change your phone number in the last few months? It's easy to forget that any such change needs to be noted on your pet's ID tag.

I've had people argue that theirs is a "backyard dog" or a "house cat," not likely to escape and therefore not in need of either a tag or a license. To my mind, an ID tag -- at $3 to $5 -- is the best way to protect your pet from a blown-down fence or a door left ajar.

And as far as a license goes, that "unnecessary expense" is the difference between your pet being put down or sold as a stray or being held extra days as an "owned" animal. That extra time may mean the difference between getting your pet back and never seeing him again.

Many people don't like to collar their cats, fearing that their pet will get hung up when jumping. Shelter workers counter that they put to sleep thousands of unclaimed cats -- many of whom are clearly someone's pet -- but they've never seen a cat skeleton hanging by a collar in a tree.

Chip 'em, collar 'em and tag 'em all. It's one of the best New Year's resolutions you can make where your pets are concerned.

Pets on the Web: In choosing a Labrador retriever, President Clinton is in good company: The Lab is the No. 1 dog in America, according to the American Kennel Club. The best online resource for anyone interested in Labradors is the Labrador Retriever Home Page (http://www.k9web.com/breeds/l/labrador), a collection of links to everything you could possibly want to know about this versatile breed, including important information on health problems.

Another good resource is the home page of Labrador Retriever Rescue Inc. (http://www.lrr.org), a nonprofit organization in the Washington, D.C., area that takes in unwanted Labs and finds them new homes. While the group doesn't work with dogs outside its area, the Web page has a lot to offer on why you should consider a "recycled" Lab.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is the editorial director of the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Giori(at)aol.com.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is the editorial director of the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Giori(at)aol.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

Don't forget those who help animals in this, the season of giving. While they may not be out ringing bells in front of stores this time of year, they need your help all the same.

It doesn't take much to help your local shelter, now or at any time of year. Gifts of time, services, or new or used goods are always welcome and can make a real difference in the lives of animals who aren't as lucky and loved as yours are. Here are a few suggestions:

-- Gifts of time. Not everyone is cut out to volunteer at the shelter -- some find it too depressing -- but fortunately that's not the only volunteer opportunity for an animal-lover with time to give. Fostering animals who need a little extra TLC is one way to help, but there are many more. If you're comfortable with public speaking, you could help with public-education programs, spreading the words of kindness and responsibility to schools or other groups. You could also work at fund-raisers, or work the phones to round up needed goods or services.

-- Gifts of services. If you have a business or a skill, chances are your shelter could use your help. Accountants, attorneys, writer/editors, graphic designers and contractors are among those who may find their expertise welcome at the shelter. Even if the shelter can't use your help directly, you could donate services to be raffled off to raise money. One of my friends is a photographer specializing in lovely hand-tinted portraits of pets, and she donates sittings and portraits to animal groups so they can raise money.

-- Gifts of goods. These don't need to be much, and all are appreciated. Old towels and newspapers are always in demand, as are items that can be used at thrift stores or used-book sales. Shelters also go through a lot of can openers, litter and animal food. Call and ask what is needed, or offer what you have. Your shelter will probably find a use for it.

As is always true when considering what to give, money is the welcome one-size-fits-all, no-need-to-return item on any list. Cash donations are always appreciated. If nothing else, consider the perfect gift for the animal-lover who has everything: a membership to your favorite shelter.

One of the best ways to help your shelter is to be sure you're not part of the problem of unwanted pets. Think, and think again, before introducing a pet into your family at this time of year, and don't give pets as gifts without being absolutely certain the recipient is as keen on the idea as you are. Above all, never buy a pet on impulse, no matter how cute, no matter how friendly, no matter that all you need do is pull out a credit card at the mall.

These caveats are especially true of puppies. Research carefully the breed or mix that will fit into your household, and take the time to find a reputable breeder, shelter or rescue group when it's time to pick your pup. Better still: Give a book now, along with the promise of a dog in the spring or summer. It's a lot easier to raise and train a puppy then, believe me. A great book for children who are dying for a puppy is the American Kennel Club's "Complete Dog Book for Kids" (Howell Book House; $22.95).

Pets on the Web: You just couldn't hope for anything better this holiday season than Elizabeth Cusulas' Dog Carols page (www.ddc.com/waggers/carols.html). The self-described "dogmama" to four cocker spaniels, Cusulas has rewritten holiday song lyrics to be more dog-focused. The results are very funny indeed, as evidenced in her version of "Shopping for the Doggies Once Again," sung to the tune of "Winter Wonderland": "Doggy toys, they're so nifty/You can never be thrifty/You spend all your cash/And then you must dash/Shopping for the doggies once again."

If you can't remember how the songs go, sound files are there to help you, or provide the instrumental background to your best singing effort. As Cusulas writes on the opening page: Point your muzzles to the sky and sing along!

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is the editorial director of the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Giori(at)aol.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600