You should be familiar with all of the possible stresses involved with the changes of going home. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. This is a very important time in your puppy's life and it is vital that you make the puppy's transition as smooth as possible. His/her new life starts the day you bring him/her home. What he/she needs most is for you to limit his/her stress, while increasing structure in the form of routines, training and confinement. Offering daily stress-release outlets, in the form of play, exercise, toys and positive training also helps.

STRESS: Too much stress can cause puppy’s immune system to weaken and could lead to illness.
New Surroundings - your home is new to them so be patient
Sleep Deprived - puppies require 16-18 hours of rest per day
Excessive Handling - deprives puppies of much needed sleep
Vaccinations
Ear Cropping
Change of Diet
Young children should always be taught to be gentle with a puppy and parents should always supervise       interactions. Puppies are not toys!
Separation Anxiety - stress your puppy feels when left alone.
Housetraining
Bathing

SIGNS of STRESS:
Diarrhea (sometimes with mucus or bloody mucus)
Not eating or drinking
Lethargy
Vomiting.
Contact your veterinarian.

NUTRITION: Toy breeds such as your Miniature Pinscher MUST have food OFTEN!
Feed your puppy every 3-4 hours until they are over 4 pounds, then at least 2-3 times per day.
Small puppy’s blood sugar can drop very quickly, it is important to feed them often.
Fresh water accessible at all times!

WAITING at HOME
Leash and collar (harness)
Food and water dishes
Blanket
Training crate & cushion
Dog food
Several stuffed toys (semi-replacements for its lost littermates)
Puppy Litter or Puppy Pads
Puppy gate (if it is desired to confine the puppy to certain areas)

DO's and DONT's
Do not expose your puppy to "outside" animals until its immunity is fully up and running (at about 16       weeks).
Don't bathe him/her until four or five months old (use puppy wipes), or ask your vet. Puppy's skin is very       sensitive and dries out quite easily.
Do not pick the puppy up by the scruff of the neck.
Do not allow children to roughhouse or maul the puppy. You wouldn't let the neighborhood kids do so with       your ten-week old baby. Puppies aren't any different.
Do continue his/her vaccinations and heartworm medicine.
Don't forget to get rabies shots as required by law.
Don't let the puppy near stairs until he/she has entirely mastered them under strict supervision.
Do keep the puppy well confined during the first several weeks home. A puppy that gets loose may       wander away and forget, or not know, where home is.
Do housebreak and train your dog with kindness and attention to detail.
Do give your puppy all the love and attention you can possibly spare. He/she is going to need it and will       return it to you, with interest.