| Bringing a new puppy home can be very exciting. | | | | Next, you need to prepare your home. First, establish |
| Unfortunately, many people find puppies for sale, and | | | | a place for the puppy. This will be his or her area for |
| don't stop to consider how their home needs to be | | | | a while. This will be the area where he or she eats |
| prepared for that puppy before making the purchase | | | | and sleeps, for the most part, but this may also be |
| and bringing the puppy home. Don't make this | | | | the area that the puppy is in when you cannot keep |
| mistake. Make your puppy buying decision very | | | | your eyes on it. Here, you must think like a puppy. |
| carefully - first - and make sure that your home is | | | | Look around at things that will be chewed, including |
| really prepared for the arrival of your new puppy. | | | | furniture. Remove all electrical cords, and anything |
| Start by preparing your family members - especially | | | | else that may be a danger to the puppy. Look for |
| children. You will need to set rules pertaining to how | | | | potential escape options for the puppy as well. |
| the puppy is treated, handled, and cared for. All | | | | Plants can be a potential danger for your puppy - but |
| family members should be involved in the puppy's life | | | | he won't know that. He will eat them, and they could |
| - and all should contribute to his or her care. Make | | | | be poisonous. Get all plants out of puppy's reach, and |
| sure that your children understand how a small puppy | | | | although puppies do not climb to the extent that |
| should be handled to prevent injury to either the | | | | kittens do - they do climb. Consider this when putting |
| puppy or the children. | | | | things out of reach. Pay attention to the things that |
| Next, make sure that you have purchased the | | | | hang, such as curtains and tablecloths. Your puppy will |
| supplies that your puppy will need. Absolute essentials | | | | happily grab the edge with his teeth and take off |
| include food, food and water dishes, a leash and | | | | running. |
| collar, chew toys, and grooming supplies. It is always | | | | Anything that means a great deal to you should be |
| a good idea to have a bed for the puppy as well. | | | | stored away in a closet or a room where the puppy |
| Because puppies are small, and they do get into | | | | will never be. Puppies jump, tails wag, and there is a |
| things, you might also seriously consider a playpen for | | | | lot of rough housing going on throughout the day. If |
| the puppy, or some other type of gating system to | | | | you don't want it chewed, broken or scratched, put |
| keep the puppy in one specific area until he or she is | | | | it away. |
| potty trained, or at least big enough to be safe in | | | | Finally, remember that dogs are smart - and this is |
| other areas of your home. | | | | true of puppies too. It won't take your new puppy |
| You will need a carrier for your puppy. This is true | | | | long to figure out how to open cabinets, and you |
| even if the puppy is being delivered to you, as it will | | | | may find that he opens doors and drawers as well. |
| be used for trips to the veterinarian, the kennel, or | | | | Use safety locks on these closures just as you would |
| the pet store. To save money, choose a carrier that | | | | if you had a human toddler in the home - for the |
| will be large enough for the puppy when he is full | | | | protection of the puppy, as well as the contents of |
| grown, and get a quality carrier that will last for years | | | | drawers, cabinets, and closets. |
| and years. | | | | |