Arrival of a new puppy - preparing your home

Q. My new puppy is arriving the next couple of weeks, how can I ensure that my home is as it should be to make the change of environment as easy as possible?

One of the most exciting events for a family or an individual is bringing home a new puppy. It is important to make the big day run as smoothly and quietly as possible in order to ease your puppy into its new environment. One way to be sure you don’t miss any of the hazards available to your puppy is to get down on the floor and look around to see if there is anything your puppy might chew on!

• Lead, puppy collar and tag – ensure you check it daily for fit.

Indoor hazards to make safe from inquisitive puppies

• Keep all doors and windows shut

• Remove all ornaments

• Hide any trailing cables and remove or pull up all hanging items such as tablecloths, floor length curtains, curtain or blind pulls, hanging plants or other items that dangle temptingly in the puppies' reach. Curtain and blind pulls are especially dangerous as they can easily become wrapped around the puppies’ neck.

• Place all houseplants out of the way as it is natural for a puppy to chew. Many houseplants are poisonous or can cause upset tummies. Common ones to watch out for include: Philodendron, Mistletoe, Poinsettia. Garden plants - Lily, Azalea, Daffodil, Tomato, Foxglove, Yew, Hydrangea.

• Place child locks on low cupboards especially those containing cleaning materials and ensure doors to kitchen appliances (fridges, washing machines etc) are kept closed.

• Keep countertops in kitchens clear to prevent your puppy jumping up to investigate them.

• Fitting a baby gate to the top of a stairwell can help prevent accidental falls.

Outdoor hazards

Gardens are great places for your puppy to explore and, when toilet training, you will be letting them out to urinate frequently. Make sure the garden is as safe as possible and supervise your puppy when outside

• Ensure your garden is fully fenced and there are no gaps so your puppy cannot escape. Remember, terriers in particular are great at digging.

• Swimming pools and ponds should be fenced off or covered with a hard cover.

• If you plan on your puppy being outdoors a lot then ensure there is a shaded area / kennel for them to rest in out of the sun / wind / rain.

• Remove ladders and other hazards your puppy can climb on / knock over.

• Do not use cocoa chips in the garden as these are toxic

• Use dog friendly plants in the garden

Be well prepared and enjoy your new addition to the family!