How to puppy-proof your home

You’re about to get a puppy ; you’re probably excited and anxious in equal measure. You can help settle those new-owner nerves by making sure you’re as thoroughly prepared as possible before you bring home your new puppy for the first time. Follow our step-by-step guide to make sure you’re home is safe and ready for day one with your new puppy . Follow these three simple steps to make sure your home is ready for anything your new puppy throws at it. Remove dangerous items Take a look at your home through your puppy’s eyes. If it’s new and interesting, you want to chew on it or eat it. Poisoning and eating things they shouldn’t are some of the most common reasons puppies end up visiting the vet . It’s like having a toddler. Everything will be new, exciting, and very chewable, so make your home a safe space for them. With that in mind, go room to room and tidy away toxic cleaning products and dangerous items like smaller toys and sharp items. We recommend buying only non-toxic cleaning products from now on as well. Check your plants, too. Some plants, including a selection of garden flowers, can be poisonous to puppies and cause upset tummies or worse. Even things like a pack of chewing gum in a bag on the floor could be a danger for your puppy, so keep the floors clear wherever your puppy will be. Create a safe space for puppy Having a crate, puppy pen, or gated-off area for your puppy will let you focus on training and getting to know them while keeping them and your shoes, furniture, and other possessions safe. A dedicated puppy space makes it easier for your puppy to explore their world by themselves. You’ll know where they are all the time, so you’ll be able to keep doing what you’d normally do around the house without worrying about puppy proofing every room right away. “Make a safe space you can puppy proof (e.g., separate a room off with a child gate, or use a pen), where your puppy can't do anything wrong, so you can focus on having positive interactions with them rather than telling them off all the time,” says Adam S, super pet parent to a two-year-old Cocker Spaniel. Shop for your puppy before they arrive Before your puppy gets through your door, you need to get all those little puppy purchases done so you can spend your time with your newest family member. Here are some of our top priorities to buy before you get your pup: For a complete list of what to buy for your puppy, check out our puppy shopping list for more ideas. Remember to take a blanket that’s been in your home when you go and visit your pup for the last time before bringing them home. The familiar smell will help them settle in more quickly with you in their new home. Overall, the most important thing is to make your home a safe space to help them settle. As they grow with you, they will get used to their surroundings and what's right and wrong. Make those first few days easy for yourself too, so you can focus on the really fun stuff.

How to puppy-proof your home

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