A home should be totally ready to welcome a new pet. A puppy should feel comfortable in the new home and it should have a separate space for itself in the home. The pet should feel safe and secure in the home especially since it has just left its mother and the rest of its family. If the right steps are taken, this relationship can be enjoyable for both the owner and the puppy.

Once you have confirmed the date which you will be bringing your new pet home, you can request the breeder to place a towel belonging to you in the dog's bed a few days before you take him home. The towel will help the dog to familiarise itself with your smell and will make it feel more comfortable when it enters its new home. It will find the place a little more familiar since it knows your smell by then. However, keeping too many towels in the dog's nest may become confusing for the pet, and not every breeder may agree to do so.

When the pet enters new surroundings, there could be certain things which are dangerous for it. Thus, it is better to check everything thoroughly before bringing the dog home.

• All doors and windows should be closed and anything breakable should be kept out of reach of the dog.
• All plants should be kept away from the dog since chewing certain plants could cause severe gastric problems in the dog (you can consult the local nursery regarding which plants should be kept away).
• All electrical appliances like the fridge, oven, microwave, washing machine and dishwasher should be kept closed and secured firmly so that the dog cannot open them. A note should be placed close to such appliances as a reminder that they should be checked before use and closed after usage.
• All electric cables should be hidden behind furniture and a thick cable protector can be obtained from a hardware store to keep them out of sight.
• Books and papers should also be kept out of reach of the dog. Shoes should also be removed from cupboards and shoe racks.
• Tablecloths on the dining table should be tucked in otherwise the dog can just tug at the tablecloth and clear an entire fully laden table.
• Plastic shopping bags should not be left lying around as they can choke the dog.
• Naked flames, lit candles and other sources of fire should be either extinguished or a guard put around them.
• Storage cupboards positioned at floor level should be secured using child locks.
• The kitchen counter should be left clean so that the dog will not be so curious as to leap on top of it for inspection.
• Leftover food should be disposed of immediately. Leftover chicken bones can be fatal and the strings found on the joints of the bones can also prove to be very dangerous.
• Toilet lids should always be kept closed to prevent the dog from getting into the habit of drinking water from the bowl.
• All curtain cords should be secured tightly.