With some planning however, it does not need to be a daunting task, just merely some fun along the way of adding a new family member.

If you have ever had a baby you know the pregnancy tasks of shopping for baby supplies, pediatrician shopping and setting up baby’s room.  Well your puppy is not much different, you need to go shopping for supplies, shop around for a great vet whom you feel completely comfortable with and set up a place for puppy to call their own.  Seems very similar now does it? 

The first step in this process should be considering the type of breed you want.  There is little use buying a dog bed for a 200-pound dog if you decide to get a dog that will weight 5 pounds fully grown, that is a waste of money.  Your first task should be some homework.  Decide upon what traits are most important to you in a dog, and start looking for breeds that include those traits.  You should also consider the appearance of the dog, specifically how the grooming needs fit into your lifestyle.  If you are a wash and wear person with your hair, are you really going to be dedicated to grooming a longhaired dog on an almost daily basis? 

You also need to consider your family type, for example if you have small children or plan on having small children in your home in the near future you may want to avoid a breed that is not typically good with children.  You should also consider if you have a very busy lifestyle a dog with a nervous style temperament is not the right dog for you.  If you have a very laid-back lifestyle, a dog that is very high energy is likely not best suited for you either.  These are all very important considerations when picking out the perfect breed. 

Once you have selected your perfect breed, you should start looking for a good reputable breeder.  You do not want to ever purchase your puppy from a pet store or a puppy mill.  They are typically overpriced, and are not socialized well, nor do they receive the proper care that is necessary to always ensure a happy and healthy, well adjusted pet. 

Now that you have determined your breed, as well as hopefully your breeder you can start shopping for supplies.  You can start stocking up on some good quality puppy food, remember before purchasing the food to talk to the breeder to get their recommendations as well as the recommendations of your vet.  You can also start stocking up on a food bowl, water bowl, nail clippers, pet brushes, combs, puppy shampoo, and even some chew toys.

Another great item to purchase is also a crate and a dog bed.  Many people also use baby gates with many small breed dogs to restrict their access to dangerous areas.  This is really effective and important if you have a very tiny puppy to keep them safe.  It also has the purpose of keeping you puppy out of areas you do not want them, such as by your precious heirloom table, or $800 Persian rug. 

Other basic needs include, chew toys, bones to play with, a collar, leash, ID tag in case puppy is lost, and if you have a very tiny puppy and it is close to winter perhaps a small sweater.  While many will laugh at this, consider when I purchased my last puppy it was 20 degrees outside, and he weighted barely more than 1 pound, to expect him to go potty outside with nothing to protect his small body was almost cruel.  He did not have enough body fat or fur to truly protect him from the elements, so you too may need to consider a few small pieces of clothing if you have an extremely tiny pup to help them keep warm. 

As you can see with some simple and basic planning, you can be ready and prepared to bring puppy home and armed with all of the supplies necessary to get started on the right foot with no problems.  Getting a puppy is often expensive; there is no reason to make it worse with not being prepared.  You should anxiously prepare for your puppy’s arrival and make sure you have what they need to feel right at home.