Americans no doubt have a love affair with puppies. For proof, all you need to do is look at social media, where photos and videos of young dogs abound. And why not? Theyre adorable.

The Puppy Bowl has been televised annually on Super Bowl Sunday for years. And one bride even coordinated with a rescue group in Iowa to have adoptable puppies at her wedding instead of flowers.

So on or around National Puppy Day, March 23, many people will bring young dogs into their households. And whether adopting puppies from shelters and rescue groups or buying puppies from breeders, its vital to know (or learn) how to establish a good relationship with your new best friend. So we turned to some dog experts for advice.

Brian Hare

Brian Hare, associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University and author of The Genius of Dogs , recommends going to a local shelter if youre looking for a puppy.

Talk to the shelter staff, since they know the dogs best, Hare said in an email message. Be honest about your home circumstances. How much time do you have to exercise your puppy? Do you have children? Do you live in a house or apartment?

All of these factors will affect the kind of dog that will be best for you.

If you do not get your puppy from a shelter, he said, make sure you meet both the parents. That way youll have a fuller picture of what traits might have been passed on to your puppy.

A puppy is a big commitment and will demand your time, Hare added.

It really is like having a baby, he said. When they are young, they can wake up three times a night, needing to go to the bathroom. They can wake up at 5 a.m., wanting to play. They can pee as often as once every 20 minutes. You have to puppy-proof your house. They need to be trained, socialized, taken to the vet. You have to watch them like a hawk because they literally put everything in their mouths!

The effort is repaid by the joy that comes from spending time together.

They are so mindful, Hare said. Being with a puppy is a lesson in living absolutely and completely in the moment.