Help with my first dog :P?

NEVER leave a dog unattended whist tethered - anything can happen to them. If the dog is only small you can build them a pen in you backyard with lattice sheets, that is what I did for my dog when he was a puppy. If you are getting the dog when s/he will have all day with you for months, make sure for the last two weeks you wean him/her off your attention all day every day, otherwise s/he will be confused when you go back to work. Ensure the dog has toys and rotate them if you can to keep the dog amused, ensure there is plenty of water and shelter as well