It's time for you to bring home that new puppy,
and for a true dog lover, this is one of the most rewarding times of their life. 
Dogs bring joy to us as owners in a variety of ways, be it companionship, protection, or the joy we feel when they succeed in their training and become the pride and joy of their owner, who has invested such time and effort into their training. 

A pup can be lots of work, so be prepared to "puppy proof your home and yard"  BEFORE your pup arrives. Designate a comfortable place for the puppy to live while you are away.  A crate, a puppy pen, a secure kennel set up inside your garage, or other secure area that he can be safe, comfortable and warm. 
Taking time ahead of his arrival to set things up properly will insure that he can't get hurt, 
get into trouble, or get away and be lost. 

Give him his favorite toy or a raw knuckle bone, to keep him occupied while you're away. 
Be watchful that you don't leave the pup with a toy that can be torn apart and ingested...
and be watchful that he isn't one to tear up blankets and eat the stuffing. 
This can be dangerous, so keep an eye out that he isn't being destructive /eating the items
that are left with him throughout the day.

If you have older dogs in the home, take the time to insure that their first meeting is a good one. You can set up visits with the new pup and your adult dog(s) several days ahead, if that's an option for you.   If not, when the pup arrives it is helpful to have that first meeting between the resident dogs and the new pup scheduled to take place at a meeting area  OFF the home premises, such as a friend's house, a nearby park or other neutral location. ..Doing this will help to prevent the showing of  jealousy from the adult dogs toward the new pup, eliminating the feeling from the adult resident dogs that the pup is an intruder into "their" home.. Let them play together, get to know each other and have fun together before taking them all back to your home.  Their friendship has then initially been established on a good note, and should become stronger as they get to know one another.  This will make those first interactions much less stressful...for the pup, and for you as the owner.
 Like horses, dogs have the ability to assess that this is a youngster,
and normally do not have the desire to harm them. 
That being said, supervision of their interactions is important for those first few days
to insure everything is going as it should.

 
 

 

If you're bringing in an older pup, Don't expect him to obey or understand  your routines immediately. . Allow him a place to eat without the fear of others coming in on him, and a place where he can enjoy his toys safely. You can avoid many squabbles over food /toys if you don't put him in the position of feeling the need to defend himself upon his arrival.

 

Consistency and Leadership are important

When bringing home that new pup,it will be important to establish that you are the pack leader, but at the same time,  try not to be too overbearing. Know at all times where the pup is at and what he is doing, but let the pup explore as much as he feels the need to.  Establish for the pup a small area that will contain him,  and yet will still give him the freedom to explore without getting into trouble. 
 Don't let him run about on his own, for he will surely find many things that he can get into trouble with.
   Be consistent with your normal daily activities, as much as possible. 
Give equal time to the "old" dogs who have been there before the pup, and don't neglect them and their
favorite times with you such as going for a car ride, taking them for walks by himself when the pup is sleeping, 
and continue giving your older canine companions their familiar "one on one special time" with you. 

 The Elder dogs of the pack at times will get out of sorts with the youngster if he oversteps his bounds with them. 
Preventing adult dogs from properly correcting inappropriate actions of a juvenile can lead to problems of dominance or aggression from the pup later.  When adolescence hits, an insubordinate youngster at some time will decide he can challenge the reigning adult, and serious fights for the dominant position can result..  It's a good idea to let those older, wiser adults set those youngsters straight at an early age.  This will quickly have the pup respecting their adult pack members.

Older dogs should never be allowed to harass, dominate or terrorize a pup!  When you see several dogs together which are showing an undue "interest" in the pup, put a stop to this immediately as this is a very quick way to have things spiral out of control and the pack mentality will kick in.  The pup will not see this as a friendly situation, NOR will it be one.  The pup should not be allowed to harass the adult dogs either, as they will quickly become tire of this.  Use your leadership to set the rules, and then to enforce the rules, and chances are good that your pack will be a harmonious one.

                                               

Your puppy and your cat...
That first meeting is all important. 

Cats and other small pets should be introduced to the puppy under close supervision. It is important  not to let a chase ensue, or you will quickly loose control of the situation.  Aggression on the part of the puppy should be immediately but gently corrected, and he should be made aware that the cat or other pet was here first and is to be considered a member of his future pack.  They will more often than not grow to be fast friends and spend their years together enjoying the company of one another.

Schraderhaus K9