If you are looking for a new dog for your family, then you want to have a clear picture of how you are going to find the right puppy, get the puppy set up at your house and take care of all of its needs. If this is your first puppy in a long time, then you may not be up to date on your puppy protocol, and this is where this article can help.

Finding the right puppy – When it comes to finding the right puppy, you may want to check with your local animal shelter first. These puppies are in desperate need of homes, and they are often at risk of being put to sleep if they can't find a home by the time their allotted time runs out. However, if you haven't had any luck finding the right puppy here, or you are looking for a specific breed, then you can go online and look for breeders near you. It's important for you to visit the place you will be buying your puppy from, so you can make sure it is a good breeder and not a dirty puppy mill.

Choose the best puppy – When you are looking at that littler of those adorable puppies, you want to choose the best one for your family. Make sure the puppy is active, alert, has clear eyes, doesn't have a cough or labored breathing, doesn't have dirty and/or stinky ears, has good coordination, reacts to loud noises, and can clearly see where it is going. You should also see that it has some interest in what's going on around it. Pick the puppy up and rub its belly gently. If you feel a bump where the umbilical cord was, then the puppy has a hernia. This may not be a big deal, but if the hernia is severe, then it can require a surgery to have it repaired.

Set the house up for a puppy – You want to keep the puppy near you those first few nights, keeping it in a crate will be a good idea. You can use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to help keep it warm. You can also use a wrapped heating pad on low, but make sure the puppy won't have access to the cord, or it can chew it and electrocute itself. If you will be feeding the puppy hard food, you can moisten it in some hot water and wait until it has cooled, and the food is softened.

Take the puppy to the vet – Make an appointment to get the puppy in for an initial exam and shots. They will need a few sets of shots before they can be considered fully vaccinated. The vet will also suggest a good time to bring them in to be fixed. 

For more information, contact your local animal hospital.