Bringing home a new puppy is without a doubt an exciting and fun experience. There are plenty of preparations to make before the big day, however. First, check the layout of your home. Decide on which areas will be "off-limits". A couple of strategically placed child safety gates can close off your kitchen or other rooms. You should also invest in a good kennel. Housetraining will be quicker and easier if you can keep the puppy under observation as much as possible. Just like childproofing, you must also make sure that any and all potentially poisonous substances are out of reach. Puppies are curious and if given the opportunity will get into anything left in their range of sight and smell. Antifreeze is particularly attractive to dogs. It has a sweet taste. So, if the puppy is going to be allowed to access the garage, make sure it's a safe place to be. The same applies to your yard. Make sure that the plants you have growing in your garden are not poisonous to animals. Once you've got safety under control, it's time to turn to supplies.

Your breeder or veterinarian can tell you what type of food to buy. Your puppy will need his/her own food and water dish as well as a comfortable place to sleep. This is where the kennel or crate comes into play.

There are many reasons to use a crate. If you kennel-train your dog correctly, it will become a safe, comfortable and welcome bed. It is also the safest place for your dog to be when you travel. Please do not use the crate, though, as a babysitter. As a puppy, your dog can not hold its bladder for extended periods of time and it's not fair to keep him/her confined for 3 or 4 hours at a time. And remember puppies need toys. If they have a Kong, a Planet Dog and bones to chew on, there's no need to go searching for your favorite pair of shoes or socks. When you bring your puppy home, spend plenty of time getting to know him/her.

Establishing a positive relationship is the first step in any training endeavor. If you have children, instructing them is also part of the process. Do not allow your child to tease the dog physically or verbally. Be careful to keep your child from picking up or carrying the puppy. Children just don't have the strength to do it properly. Do involve your child in the training and care of the dog. Teach your child to respect the puppy as a member of your family and you'll be avoiding a number of problems later on. Of course, as a responsible pet owner, you will also need to look into training for your new friend. Make sure that you shop around for a program you are comfortable with, one that emphasizes positive reinforcement and teamwork as opposed to physical control and fear responses. Most of all, though, have fun and enjoy the fun and unconditional love that a new puppy brings.