So you've got your game plan in place to find the puppy that is a perfect match for you and your family. You are in full pet finder mode. But ask yourself this. Are you and your home ready for when the puppy is found?
When your mission as a pet finder is over, you'll have to switch gears pretty quick, so you'll want a head start on preparation that will spare you stressful situations later. Before your puppy comes home, you'll want to make sure your home is puppy proof until he knows what he can get away with and what he can't. Make sure electrical cords and sharp objects can be easily kept away. And remember, as cute as he is, you must stand firm with your house rules or he'll never know right from wrong.
You should also have a nice dog crate waiting for your new puppy complete with a bed and new toys, preferably chewable. This way he'll be slightly less likely to rip up your couch….slightly. The crate will help you temporarily confine your new puppy when you have to leave him alone and you don't want your living room looking like a tornado hit it. While your pet finder inquiries are aimed toward finding the perfect pet, remember it'll be a while before his behavior resembles anything close to perfect.
You may want to make a checklist of all the dog supplies you're going to need so you'll be ready when any potential pets arise from your pet finder inquiries at the online classified ads, local animal shelter or local breeder. You can never be fully prepared to bring in a new puppy, especially if you've never done this before, but with some good preparation you'll be able to keep the chaos to a minimum.
