Choosing to bring a brand-new puppy into your home is, without question, a big decision and before you even begin to visit breeders or rescue centers like the RSPCA, you need to find out everything you can about what having a puppy actually means and the myriad responsibilities involved.
Should you have done as much research as possible and indeed, you can be assured that someone will be home with your puppy as he grows into a dog to take care of him at all times, then it is time to prepare your house.
Here is how to puppy-proof your home.
Choose Indoor Plants Carefully
First and foremost, one aspect of puppy-proofing which, unfortunately, many well-meaning puppy and dog owners overlook is the presence of various types of indoor plants throughout various rooms within the home.
As a bare minimum, make sure none of the following plant species are anywhere in your home, as each plant is toxic for puppies and adult dogs alike:
Lily of the Valley
Foxglove
Tulips
Autumn Crocus
Daisies
Daffodils
Hyacinths
Chrysanthemums
Amaryllis
Invest in a Stair Gate
Now, whether you are planning on training your puppy to sleep in their bed located in the living room overnight, or else in your own bedroom, stairs can be a serious issue for puppies, regardless of their size.
This is why one of the most important investments to make is a high-quality, sturdy, thick and ideally, portable dog gate; one for the top of the stairs and one at the bottom. Not only will this stop your dog falling down the stairs, but it will also give them more freedom as they explore their new home without this risk, affording you peace of mind.
Remove Potential Hazards
Just as in the same way as you would go around every single room within your home with a fine-toothed comb before you bring a newborn baby home, the same vigilance needs to be applied for puppies, kittens, bunny rabbits and other animals.
Contact powerpointelectrics.co.uk for detailed and up-to-date information about the various safety protection for sockets and other electrical outlets and equipment to ensure puppy does not receive an electric shock, or suffer an even worse fate, due to exposed wires and plugs.
Don’t Forget Your Garden!
Once your home is entirely puppy-proofed, it is then time to turn your attention to the garden.
Make sure that the perimeter of your patio and garden is secure and that there are no gaps i in the fence a small puppy can fit through; remember that puppies are always much smaller than you think and that the width is often their fur, which can be squashed down under a gate.
In addition, if you have a compost heap and usually compost food, ideally this should be removed entirely, but if this is not feasible, you at least need to ensure that there is no way your new puppy can access it.
Finally, you need to immediately stop using cat repellent, slug repellent, ant powder and weed killer on the flowers and plants, as this could cause potentially fatal reactions for your dog.