Eight years ago we brought home our first puppy from the shelter. I am embarrassed to admit we were a bit unprepared at the time for our new addition. Luckily with some good advice from the shelter and our local vet, we made the grade. Now we are with our 3rd dog, and our home is that much more crowded and merry. At this point I thought it would helpful to share my thoughts on what you need to get through getting a new puppy.
Firstly, once you get a new puppy, find a local vet and get your new bundle of joy a puppy physical. You will find your local veterinarian invaluable to the health of 
your new dog and peace of mind for you. This need not be a scary experience for you, or your new friend if you are prepared. If you obtain your puppy from a breeder, ask them to point you in the right direction. The local phone pages, or the internet are also good places to start. If you are in our neck of the woods, check out our friends at Yaletown Vet Hospital*.
Here is a list of things you will need; a pet crate, dog tags (with name, tel number and your address), a leash, old towels, two bowls (one for water and one for puppy kibble) and a lot of patience. A baby gate is also a good idea for when the puppy gets bigger.
Puppy-proofing your home: Okay this may require you to get on your hands and knees. Look at your home from the perspective of your pup. Define the spaces your dog is going to live in and then remove any items that can be potential problems – your grandma’s prized vase or your action figure collection come to mind. Also, be sure to remove electrical wires or soft objects that a puppy may chew on.
Accidents will happen: Use the old towels as bedding for the crate. They will slow the spread of accidents, and towels are relatively easy to wash. Be proactive before your puppy has an accident. Look for tell-tale signs such as circling and sniffing of the ground. This means she/he’s ready to go outside. From my experience, I have found dogs tend to prefer to do their business outside and as such the behavior is easy to encourage. Be sure to positively reinforce behavior with affection when the puppy is doing well.
Good nights: when you first bring home your pup, he/she my have problems sleeping at night and will let you know by yelping. Leaving the puppy by him/ herself in the basement is not the answer. This is where the crate comes in. If your puppy is having problems at night, place the crate in your room where you sleep making sure the puppy can see and hear you. You will notice over time the puppy will quickly lose their anxiety and will get accustomed to sleeping when you do. Down the road, you will notice the pup will associate sleep with nighttime and the crate, and at that point you can move his/her sleeping area to a place you find suitable.
I hope these tips help, and that you too will find a lifetime of enjoyment from your new furry family members.
Sincerely,
The Team at CanaCreek.com
*Yaletown Vet Hospital – 79 Smithe Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1C3
Awww, I want a puppy! Great site, keep it up!