Poor surroundings would include a barn, shed, or chicken-coop, especially when calves, chickens, and pets are all housed in the same structure, often under filthy conditions. One should be particularly cautious if there are thirty or forty pups of the same or different breeds in the shed, because you've probably walked into a typical puppy mill. A Pet Shop will sell you a book on the breed and escort you out the door. The puppy should have been groomed and bathed. If buying an older dog or puppy over twelve weeks of age, make sure that it is well-socialized and has been exposed to different surroundings.
Puppies require individual attention each day to help build self-confidence.
A personality defect caused by heredity or environmental deficiencies can be improved with very hard work, but will never completely disappear. Tails and dewclaws are done a few days after birth. Ear cropping is usually done around 8-10 weeks and is the responsibility of the breeder, not the buyer. Many Backyard Breeders do not crop puppies' ears in order to keep their costs down. Uncropped ears may have a tendency to lift during teething, and you may end up with a dog whose ears stand erect like a jack rabbit.