Puppy-Proof Your Home
Get down on your hands and knees and look for anything that could be dangerous for a 2-year-old child and move it to a safe place. Check for electrical cords, plants, cleaning solutions, etc. Put child safety latches on any cabinets containing cleaners or chemicals.

Choose a Veterinarian
If you don’t already have a veterinarian, you’ll need to pick one. Ask friends with dogs who their vet is and if they’re happy with the quality of service and the veterinarian’s “bedside manner.”  Your puppy will be seeing the vet a lot in his first year.

Sign up for a Puppy Class
Most obedience schools offer a puppy class, which helps socialize your puppy, and can help you with any training problems you are having, such as housebreaking. These classes are not serious obedience training, but are very important for your puppy’s social development.

Read a Book on Dog Training
If it’s been a while since you’ve raised a puppy it’s a good idea to brush up on your training skills. Well-behaved dogs don’t magically appear - they take work and patience on your part.