Preparing for your puppy

There are a few things that you should do before the puppy steps into your house to ensure that you get off on the right foot. Remember that puppies are just like babies. You wouldn't bring home a new baby before you had a car seat, crib, diapers, clothes, and all the other equipment you'd need to keep the child safe and comfortable. The same holds true for your new canine addition. 

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Veterinary Care

The first thing you should do is to find a good veterinarian in the area. Your puppy should visit the veterinarian within 48 to 72 hours of his arrival home to set up his vaccination schedule. Also you never know when an emergency may arise, and it is better to be safe than sorry--select your veterinarian before you need him. 

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When searching for a vet, you can ask your local humane society or animal shelter for vets in the area, ask your dog owning friends whom they use. Once you have the name of a few veterinarians, you should visit each one. Check out the facilities and meet the doctor and his staff. Inspect the office and make sure it is clean, well lit and sufficiently supervised. Make sure the veterinarian is familiar with your breed of puppy. Ask about his hours, his emergency policies, his parent choice, you can make an appointment to bring your puppy in a few days after you pick him up. 

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Supplies

there are certain things that your puppy will need immediately, so it is best if you go out and purchase them before he comes home. The better prepared you are for your puppy's arrival, the smoother the transition will be for everyone. 

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Things you need to buy for the Puppy's arrival:

Food and water bowls

Puppy food

Collar and leash

Soft bed or bedding for crate

Crate

Baby gates

Grooming tools 

Toys 

ID Tag

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Buy Puppy-Appropriate Toys

Make sure that you buy toys that are the right size for your puppy. Most packages will indicate the size of the dog for which the toy is made. Also, make sure to monitor your dog's chewing, and when the chew toy gets too small or pieces start to break off, take the toy away. This will prevent your puppy from choking on the small pieces or swallowing pieces that can get lodged in his stomach or intestines. 

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Setting Up a Puppy Care Schedule

Once you have all the basic equipment ready for your puppy, you should map out a tentative schedule with members of your family. Figure out who can be with him and at what times, because he will need constant supervision for the first few days. The worst thing you can do is bring home a new puppy and leave him alone. He will be unsure of his environment, scared, and lonely, and his first impression will stay with him for a long time. You should think about where the puppy will be kept, where he will eat, where he will sleep and where he will be taken to eliminate. It is also a good time to take a look around at your existing environment and see if your home is safe enough for your puppy to move into. 

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Puppy-Proofing Your Home

Your little puppy will be very curious about his new surroundings, and with typical puppy energy, will want to investigate everything that is available to him. The trick is to make the dangerous things unavailable to him by puppy-proofing your home. The best way to do this is to get down on your puppy's level and take a look around. What can he get into ? What can he jump up on? What can he open up or chew on? Don't ever assume that your puppy won't touch something, because if he can reach it, he may. There are many potential dangers within the home for a little puppy, so you must think about these in advance and make sure he is protected from them. 

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Check out these things around your house that may be dangerous to you puppy.

Electrical wires

Open doors

Balconies

Medicines

Soaps and shampoos

Detergents, household cleansers

Products for your car, such as antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline

Outside chemicals such as fertilizer, insecticides, aint, and paint removers

Plants

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