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Your family is ready, but is your home? As an owner, you have to prepare your home for an excitable, curious, rambunctious puppy. Remember, puppies get into anything they can--and they will!
How can I keep my puppy safe?
To avoid potential injury to the dog, put poisonous household cleaners, bug spray, lawn chemicals, or any other potential poison far away from the curious nose of your new family member.
Remove all loose electrical cords from areas where the dog can play with them. And if you have any breakable valuables on display, you may want to consider putting them in a safe place until your puppy is grown.
Always cover your rubbish -- puppies will dive in to see what's hiding. Move any plants you may have away from where the puppy can chew at them, because some plants can be poisonous to dogs. Baby gates are an excellent way to keep your dog where she will be safe. As you can see, puppy proofing your house is a lot like toddler-proofing an environment.
How can I welcome my new family member?
If at all possible, take a few days off work or use a long weekend so that you have time to help your new dog adjust. Spend time with her, and get to know each other!
 To Doghouse or not to Doghouse?
If your dog is going to be outside for much of the year, consider building or buying a doghouse for her. It needs to be big enough that your dog can stand and fully turn around in--but not much larger. The roof needs to be slanted to keep out rain and snow, and the ground should be raised a bit. Make sure the inside is padded, and there is a blanket or some straw. Doghouses are perfectly fine for your loved canine--just be sure to visit! Settling In
Your puppy depends on you to make its new home as happy and as comfortable as possible. Moving a puppy away from its littermates and mother can cause a great deal of trauma in its young life. That's why you should do everything possible to make your new family member feel like an important and accepted part of your home.
Use the following guidelines
to ease your puppy's transition
into your household: - Check your house for any items that your curious puppy can chew, such as electrical cords, shoes, papers and phone cords.
- Dog-proof your outside yard and patio areas. If you have a swimming pool, make sure that your puppy can't fall in and accidentally drown.
- Make sure your house doesn't have any objects that your puppy could catch its collar on. It is a good idea to check for these areas on all-fours in order to get a "puppy view" of your home.
- Keep your puppy away from small children and other pets while it adjusts to its new environment.
- Avoid loud sounds, like the vacuum cleaner, that could scare your puppy.
- Provide your puppy with a comfortable bed or crate that will make it feel warm and safe.
- Play with your puppy to help it adjust and come to trust you as a friend and companion.
- Make sure your puppy has a clean supply of water readily available.
- Have some toys ready for your puppy so it feels that its new home is a fun place to be.
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