Caring For A Puppy by Gerald McNicholl To get your puppy off to a good start, schedule a veterinary check-up within the first 48 hours of bringing it home. You can then get a clean bill of health, a schedule for future vaccinations and spay/neuter surgeries and advice on food, training, parasite preventatives and trainer recommendations. What to consider before getting a puppy? * Investigate the breeds and mixes. * Ensure you are familiar with the breed's adult size & personality traits.