Give your puppy a comfortable bed, and keep bedding clean. Bring a blanket to the kennel so the puppy can get used to your home.

Nothing can bring more joy to kids of any age than an adorable, loving puppy. Puppies, however, are like any babies--they require attention, love, proper care, and lots of time. Get your new best friend off to the right start, and prepare for a long, rewarding relationship.

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[edit] Steps

Get the puppy comfortable in your home.
- Bring a blanket or dog bed to the breeder or pound from which you will pick up the puppy. Do this a few days before you pick up the puppy so that your new companion can sleep on the blanket and begin to get accustomed to your home before it even gets there.
- Play with your puppy before bed for the first week or so. This will help it expend some energy and sleep better.
Provide the puppy with food and water bowls and dry, comfortable bedding. If you have other pets, be sure to give the puppy its own bowls and bed to avoid conflict. The kitchen or bathroom is an ideal place for the bed because they generally are warm and have washable floors.
Provide a safe area for your puppy to play. A securely-fenced yard is ideal for most dog breeds, but some smaller breeds will be able to thrive with a play area indoors. Be sure to give your puppy some chew toys, and experiment a little to find which toys he or she likes best.
Scoop your puppy up gently, and always keep one hand under its chest to support it.

Handle your puppy with care. Puppies, like human babies, are fragile. Gently scoop up your puppy if you need to pick it up, keeping one hand under its chest.
Pet your puppy often. It's important to stroke your pet's body, legs, and head several times daily to make it feel loved, to bond with it, and to make vet visits (when the puppy will need to be handled) more comfortable.
Feed your puppy properly. Make sure your puppy always has adequate fresh water available. Feed your puppy small amounts of specially-formulated puppy food several times a day. The number of daily feedings depend on the puppy's age:
- 6-8 weeks: 4 times daily
- 12-20 weeks: 3 times daily
- 20+ weeks: 2 times daily
The amount of food for each feeding depends on the breed. Feed your puppy only the smallest amount recommended for its breed, age, and size, and increase this if the puppy seems to be too thin or as directed by your veterinarian.
Make sure your puppy gets plenty of exercise. Different breeds require different amounts of exercise, and this is a factor you should consider when choosing a puppy. As puppies' bodies are still developing, try to avoid any sort of rough play or strenuous exercise such as long walks. Take the puppy into the yard or garden after meals, and begin taking your puppy for short walks about a week after its second round of vaccinations.
Make sure your puppy has all its recommended vaccinations. Your vet can provide more information on what vaccinations your puppy needs and when he or she should get them.
Keep your puppy worm- and flea-free. Talk to your vet about preventing worms and fleas or treating outbreaks.
Socialize your puppy. Once vaccinated, puppies should be encouraged to play with friendly puppies, grown dogs, and other animals. Make sure the other animal tolerates the puppy well, and do not leave the animals alone for even a minute at first.
Keep your puppy's environment sanitary. Air out your puppy's bedding daily, and wash or replace it weekly. House-train your puppy when appropriate, and immediately replace your puppy's bedding if he or she has had an accident in it.
Brush your puppy daily. Brushing keeps your pet clean and healthy and allows you to check its skin and fur for any problems. The type of brush and other grooming and washing requirements vary by breed, so check with your veterinarian or breeder for more information. Brush all over the puppy, including its belly and hind legs.
Lift your puppy's tail to check for signs of diarrhea.

Watch for health problems. Keep an eye on your puppy and you can catch any problems early. The eyes should be bright, and the eyes and nostrils should be free of discharge. The puppy's coat should be clean and shiny; watch out for matting or thinning. Watch out for bumps, inflammation, or rashes on the skin, as well as signs of diarrhea around the tail.
Keep your puppy's teeth and gums healthy. Chew toys help a puppy keep its teeth healthy. Toothbrushes and toothpaste made specifically for dogs are also very helpful in keeping your pup's teeth clean and healthy. Be sure to acclimate your puppy to having their teeth brushed slowly so that it is a positive experience for them.
Protect your puppy. Puppies are naturally curious, and even with the most attentive care they sometimes get out of the yard and get lost. Make sure your puppy wears a comfortable collar--fitted at about 5 weeks and loosened gradually to accommodate the puppy's growth--with a tag listing its name and your address and / or phone number. Many jurisdictions require licensing of dogs, but it's a good idea to get your puppy licensed even if it's not required. You can also have a tiny microchip implanted in your puppy to assist in locating it if it gets lost.

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[edit] Tips

Different breeds have different needs, so be sure to consult a breeder or veterinarian for breed-specific care information.
Put newspaper down in the puppy's play area until the puppy is house-trained.
Chew toys will help curb your puppy's inclination to chew on your shoes and furniture.
Gradually build up the time you leave your puppy alone. Don't leave your puppy alone for several hours as soon as you bring him or her home.
Clean up after your puppy when you take it for walks. Use a scoop, bag, or gloves to pick up after it, as the fecal matter may contain parasitic worms or dangerous bacteria.

[edit] Warnings

Puppies are a big responsibility, and so are the dogs that they become. The steps listed here are only a small part of what you will need to do for your pet. Make sure that you have ample time, money, and space to care for a dog before you get a puppy. Remember, you're making a lifetime commitment.
Only get puppies from a reputable breeder or from a pet rescue shelter or humane society. Disreputable breeders may mistreat animals, and the puppies may be diseased or may be represented as purebred when they are not.
Don't give puppies milk, as this may cause diarrhea.
Do not leave puppies alone for more than 3 hours a day or they will become lonely. They will also tend to destroy things around the house and cause all sorts of mischief. Never leave a puppy alone with a child or a dog that is not accustomed to the puppy or that doesn't tolerate the puppy well.
Don't force a puppy to play, especially when it's trying to sleep.