How to Prepare for a Puppy

Getting a new dog? Have no idea where to start? Puppies require a great deal more work than an older or trained dog. Save time and effort and prepare yourself before the puppy arrives in your home.

[edit] Steps
Create an area in your house just for the puppy. Common choices include the kitchen, laundry room, or den. This allows your puppy to have a limited area to explore, and a place to feel safe and at home. It provides you with a limited area to clean up after your puppy.
Puppy-proof this area by cleaning well, removing any wires or other items the puppy may chew, remove ornaments or anything the puppy may bump into. Remove anything from this area you don't want soiled, chewed or scratched.
Use non-biting fluid (available at pet stores) on chair legs, couch corners, or anything the puppy might enjoy as a treat. This includes your new Ugg boots, 100 dollar running shoes, the remote control, pens, candles, jackets, books, flowers, pillows, wood boxes, paper, doors, CD's, bottles (can be very dangerous if any kind of medication is contained inside) checkbooks, leather, wires, bags, and anything they could get their jaws on!
Give your puppy a substitute for chewing. Puppies have to chew, it is not their fault, so always provide an alternative for the puppy to the items listed above, like a squeaky chew toy especially made for puppies.
Buy a collar and leash correctly sized for your puppy. Usually collars come in x-small, small, medium, large, and x-large. When choosing a collar at the store, make sure it is not secured by Velcro. This is not very strong against a puppy. Leashes- Most dog owners like to get a long leash for walking and 2-4 foot leash for training along with a training leash and collar if you want your puppy to grow into a good dog.
Buy the correct shampoo. Make sure you choose the right kind of shampoo for your puppy: If he has extra dry skin, try using a special shampoo for such. If his coat gets extra tangely, buy a shampoo to match that need, too.
Buy brushes including a soft brush that can shine the coat and a brush to eliminate knots and mats.
Select a crate of the correct size for your puppy and their growth expectations. Crate training is a powerful method of working with a puppy, but it is not required. Wire crates are often used because the dog can easily see everything around them ameliorating the feeling of punishment and reinforcing the feeling of security and are easy to keep clean. Puppies are used to being confined and look at their crate as their home (den). This is their own space and should not be 'invaded' when they want to be alone.
Select and purchase a high quality food. Do not be fooled by a dog food's brand, reputation or claims on the packet. Many, many commercial dog foods are made from questionable ingredients. It may say chicken, but, do you really know what parts of the chicken are in it? Talk to your vet or pet food supplier, or do your own research on the Internet.
Stock at least two bowls, one for water and the other for food. They do not have to be the same size.
Purchase bedding and any other supplies to let your dog sleep comfortably. Dogs, and especially puppies, suffer stress just like humans. Coming home to a new place is liable to make your puppy tired, and you'll be glad of how much he may sleep.
The first day the puppy will be stressed. Relieve this by putting an old tee shirt in the crate with your pup. This will also help him bond to you better.

[edit] Tips
Wear an old tee shirt for a few days and then give it to your puppy breeder. When they take the puppy out to socialize they can let it play with your old shirt. When you come to take the puppy home it will already recognize your scent.
If you are bringing home your puppy in the car have it's crate in the car. Puppies are used to being confined. Wrap an old towel that you have used recently around a hot water bottle and the puppy should snuggle up and sleep on your way home.
If you lack or cannot find non-biting fluid try sour apples, which often work great.
Get a good dog book and actually read it.
If you are having company over and need to secure your puppy in the crate, he will be going crazy barking and whining. You can sometimes terminate this problem by placing some towels over the crate.
Watch The Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic channel. That guy is amazing!
Buy a crate one size larger than you think the puppy needs. There is usually a puppy barrier that you place inside until your puppy grows up to fit the crate. If he is to be 35 pounds, get a crate for a 50-pound dog size. When the puppy is an adult he will be able to turn around and stretch out comfortably.

[edit] Warnings
Always remove collars or harnesses before a dog goes into the crate as these items could choke the dog by getting caught on the crate wires or latches.
When meeting new dogs or people, approach slowly and never show that you are scared of the new dog or person. They can sense fear and will try to protect or attack you, depending on their personality.

[edit] Related wikiHows
How to Care for Puppies
How to House Train a Puppy
How to Train a Puppy With a Clicker
How to Train or Help a Puppy Stop Crying when Locked up or Outside
How to Name Your New Puppy or Dog