Changing homes is a big transition for humans; but for a puppy, changing homes can be traumatic. To keep your new puppy happy and make the transition easy for everyone, it is important to take the time to prepare for your new arrival. You will need to purchase the following necessary supplies before bringing your puppy home:

• Adjustable collar
• Leash
• Food and water dishes
• Chew toys
• High quality puppy food
• Crate
• Bedding
• Disposable potty training pads

First things first, be sure to purchase bedding, as stated above. Although you may think you don't need a bed because the puppy is going to sleep with you, this may not be the best habit to get into. Your puppy may be cuddly while it's small, but it is going to grow and will not always be easy to share a bed with. While you're stocking up on supplies, remember that many of these items will need to be replaced within the next few months, so you don't need to spend more than necessary because you can always buy more expensive supplies later.

When your puppy arrives, you are going to need to be prepared to deal with puppy separation anxiety. This behavior is perfectly normal, so there is no reason for you to worry. Your puppy is just expressing itself – it's a big step for a little puppy to leave its mother and litter-mates for the first time. This transition can be made easier by spending as much time as possible with your puppy. If possible, try to arrange for its arrival at a time when you will be home a lot, such as a vacation or a holiday weekend. During this time, you can begin to help your puppy adapt to his or her crate so that he or she will be ready when the the time comes to leave your puppy alone.

Another key to a happy puppy-hood is positive socialization. Every new experience and meeting with people and other animals should be a positive one for your new puppy. If you have children, be sure to educate them about their new puppy; explain that running and jumping at it while it is young may frighten the puppy. If you have other animals, they should be introduced to the puppy slowly. You may consider rubbing the puppy with a blanket or a towel so that it picks up his scent, and placing that blanket around the food bowl or on your other animals' bed to help them become adjusted to the new puppy's smell.

In addition to positive experiences, separation anxiety can be lessened by not making a big deal out of it. If your puppy whines, your first instinct may be to comfort him; however, he will interpret this as rewarding his behavior and this could establish an undesirable pattern of whining for attention in the future. In the beginning, it is better to resist the urge to comfort him. Just make sure that he has a comfortable bed, somewhere he can snuggle, and a good toy. Eventually, he will stop whining and begin to relax, which is the first step to having a happy, well-rounded dog.