Summer is coming and many children will be asking their parents for a new puppy. Adopting a puppy is an amazing experience for any family. However, a new puppy comes with many responsibilities too. Below are 15 preparations to make before bringing a new puppy into your home.
- Electrical cords - New puppies love to chew when they are teething. They will try to chew anything they can. Electrical cords can not only harm your new puppy, they can cost a lot to replace.
- Decor items - Make sure all decor items are up off the floor. Puppies are small and will run underneath candle holders and other small decor items on floors. This could harm the puppy and break your decor.
- Small spaces - Block off all small spaces behind wall units, television stands and underneath beds and couches. Puppies will crawl under these spaces and chew on the furniture. As well, it will be impossible to get the puppy without moving the furniture.
- Garbage - Put all garbage up where a puppy can not get to it or in a puppy safe container. Puppies have a much stronger sense of smell than humans and will be attracted to eating the garbage.
- Shoes - Keep all shoes on a shoe rack off the floor or in a closed closet. Puppies will treat shoes like chew toys and try to swallow laces.
- Cupboards - Install baby locks on all cupboard doors. Puppies can get into cupboards and chew chemicals that will harm them.
- Stairs - Install a baby gate or block all stair ways. Puppies are curious and will try to go up and down stairs at a very young age.
- Rules - Establish all rules and responsibilities with the family before bringing the new puppy into the home.
- Food - Research and purchase food and bowls for the puppy before they come to your home.
- Toys and bedding - Research and purchase bedding and toys for the puppy. They will need toys to chew on and keep them occupied when the family is busy. It is also important to train puppies from the beginning where their bed is.
- Lease - Even puppies need to go outside for walks. Make sure you have a collar and leash purchased and ready when you bring the puppy home.
- Area - Research your area for good places to walk your puppy. Find out if there are any off-leash parks in your area. These places will be good for your puppy once it has completed it's vaccinations.
- Cleaning supplies - Make sure you have all the pet-friendly cleaning supplies you need for you home before the puppy comes home. House training will require a lot of cleaning. Also make sure you have pet safe shampoo for bathing and proper nail clippers for you puppy.
- Signage - Purchase a "Beware of Dog" sign for each outside door of your home. This is a warning to all who enter your home that you have a dog. If anything happens no one can sue you because they were unaware there was a dog in the home.
- Veterinarian - Make sure you have a veterinarian for your puppy. Puppies need vaccinations and veterinary care to ensure their health and longevity.
Puppies are a blessing, but also a lot of work.
Photo credit:
http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1342601
Adopting a puppy is much like having a child. The younger they are the more responsibility you and your family will have. Prepare your home and family for a new puppy before you bring it home.
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