My apologies to the OP - I'm obviously having a hard time comprehending what I'm reading today (my mind is on the GE). My comment in no way answered the question, other than the part about YT being full of great people! Keep reading - you'll find out answers to questions you didn't even know you had. You will learn so much from everyones trials and errors and make some great friends along the way.
Spay/neuter to me is critical because it can take care of a lot of issues from behavior to unwanted/unplanned puppies - not to mention health reasons
Good food - you'll find a great thread on here with all the best foods listed and another thread with contacts and how to get free samples. This was the hardest for me, and I'm still not sure about it.
Teeth - as Vinniedog posted is also critical for obvious reasons
Grooming - can be as difficult or as easy as you want it to be. I'm trying to let Bridgets coat grow at least once which requires more to maintain than a puppy cut.
Harness - not a collar - their little trach's are pretty delicate and a harness will avoid injury.
Crate or ex-pen - especially when you're not with them to avoid injury - they sometimes don't realize they are small and get onto/into things they shouldn't.
Vet - find a vet you can trust and will listen to you - he/she will play a huge roll in your baby's life - everyone on here can give you opinions or tell you their experience - but your vet is the one who is right there. My vet told me that with all the new equipment that has come out to diagnose health issues the one big thing they have realized by using them is that the owners were right more times than not. They KNEW something was wrong before the vets. I found that interesting.
LOVE/Patience....right at the top of the list - if you love them half as much as he/she will love you - and have as much patience with him/her as she will with you (you will both be learning) the rest will come naturally - so much that we worry about is common sense - we sometimes think too hard.
and.....read and if you can't find it posted before.....ask - someone will gladly help you either find the post, answer the question, or point you in the direction of someone who can. (hopefully this is more of what you were looking for)
Congratulations on getting your new fur-baby!