Get your home ready for your new best friend!
Congratulations on the decision to add a new furry family member to your home! Before you bring home the lucky little guy, it’s a good idea to spend a little time making sure your household is ready. Here are 5 tips for puppy proofing your home so it’s comfortable and safe for your new addition.
Organize. A new puppy is going to want to investigate everything. Everything. If there’s something you don’t want him getting into, make sure it’s in a closet, drawer or high up on a shelf (yes—this includes shoes!). This is also a great excuse to get yourself organized, storing odds and ends like loose papers and knickknacks away in their proper place.
Switch to plastic. Puppies live by a rule similar to Murphy’s Law: if it’s breakable, it’s going to get broken. Just like babies, new pups have a tendency to paw at and knock over things made of glass and ceramic. We recommend putting grandma’s antique vase in storage for a few months and picking up some inexpensive plastic drinkware to use while puppy learns to control his clumsy paws.
Set up his space. Invest in an adjustable crate that grows with your puppy so you don’t have to buy a new one when he’s suddenly 60 pounds. This one from Amazon is a good pick; select the size you expect your dog to need when he’s fully grown. While he’s potty training, his crate should have just enough space for him to sleep and stretch, without enough room for him to tinkle at one end and sleep at the other. A soft blanket or bed and some durable food and water bowls complete his new puppy “den.”
Designate off-limits areas. Especially if your puppy isn’t coming home potty trained, it’s a good idea to plan ahead of time where he won’t be allowed in the house—like that guest room you just put carpet in. If you have a cat, you may decide the room with the litter box is off-limits. Whatever you decide, stick with it so your new dog has clear boundaries.
Invest in chew toys. If there’s one thing puppies love to do, it’s chew. Shoes, pieces of mail, pillows and plastic–puppies are quick to chomp on anything they’re curious about. Invest in some quality chew toys to divert your new pal away from those no-no items. We love the Kong and Nylabone lines of toys; you’ll pay a few dollars more up front, but they last ages longer than the more inexpensive toys lining the pet aisle.
Getting a new puppy can be overwhelming at first, but in a few weeks you’ll have your routine down and will be well on your way to building a long-lasting bond with your new family member!
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