A puppy is a lot of work and it’s something that you want to consider carefully before committing to it. There are a lot of benefits to having a dog but when it comes to a puppy, they rely on you for a lot in those first few months, especially if they need to go out for a pee or poop every hour or so.
Prepping your home for a puppy will ensure that the home is ready for the little one, especially if your home is considered to be a dangerous space for a puppy – even if you don’t realize it! Here’s everything you’ll need to prep your home for a puppy.
Make sure you have all of your basics
The basics are essential when it comes to prepping your home for a puppy. There are lots of things that a puppy will need – they are very much like a baby and everything you’d buy for them.
Here are some of the basics that you’ll need:
- Food and water dishes
- Dog bed
- Food
- Puppy pads – for the accidents!
- Leash and collar
- Dog insurance
- Brush and bathtime products
- Dog poo bags
- Flea, tick, and worming treatment
These are just a handful of basics that are worthwhile getting ahead of your dog. With insurance, you might need to wait until you know more information about the dog you’re getting, especially if adopting from a shelter.
Get on all fours to puppy-proof the place
To ensure your pad is ready for a puppy, you’ll want to puppy-proof the place. That means – yes – getting on all fours. Imagine yourself as the size of the puppy or dog you’re going to get. Assess each room to look for spots that could pose a danger to your little floof.
For example, exposed cables and small belongings that might be swallowed by accident. You may want to cover leg chairs and other areas of the home in order to protect your furniture from the sharp teeth that puppies have.
There are plenty of resources online that are helpful in knowing how to puppy-proof your home successfully. Chances are, you’ll get the last few things sorted once the puppy has arrived and highlighted them for you!
Consider if you’ll do crate training
Are you going to do crate training or not? This is something that you’ll want to consider when getting a puppy. With those who don’t crate train, you’ll need to be comfortable with your puppy having more reign of the home or if confined to one room, perhaps whining more or scratching the door to get out.
With crate training, it’s a little more controlled but also provides a sense of security for your little one as they adapt to their new surroundings. The crate needs to be big enough for the puppy to move around in and ideally, should be one that is big enough that accommodates your puppy once it becomes an adult.
Crates are relatively inexpensive, so are worth considering if you’re looking to keep your puppy from getting into places where they shouldn’t. It’s also useful when you’re wanting to keep the dog in their own bed.
Determine what your house rules are
Every household is different when it comes to the rules in the home. When you get a puppy, you’ll want to ensure everyone is on the same page when it comes to the rules where your pooch is concerned.
For example, will you allow your puppy/dog to be on your bed or on your couch? This is a certainty for some households but for others, a big no-no. With that in mind, you’ll want to consider what house rules you’ll impose before your puppy arrives so that the home continues to function harmoniously at all times.
These rules should be communicated between household members so that everyone knows what to do and what not to do when it comes to the puppy.
Introduce the puppy to any small children or other pets
Before you thrust a puppy into the home, it’s good to take into consideration your existing pets and any small children. Introducing the puppy to other pets is essential because you’ll want to ensure that the other pets get on with the puppy before you start getting attached to them.
There’s nothing worse than having a puppy in your home that you’ve grown fond of but unfortunately, your other pets don’t like the new addition. The same can be said for small children and the types of dogs that are suitable for this type of household.
It’s important that even puppies and small children aren’t left alone, especially as this can cause potential harm on both ends. With that in mind, you’ll want to encourage small children to pet and be mindful of how they approach and treat this new addition to the home.
Any other tips?
Other than the pointers covered above, it’s important that you’re knowledgeable about everything to do with puppies and that also means how to go about getting one. For example, are you going to adopt a dog from a shelter, or will you buy one from a breeder?
If you’re buying from a shelter, you’ll want to check the condition of the shelter and factor in where the dog has come from. There will likely be more strict procedures from the shelter when partnering up the dog with the household.
For those wanting to buy from a breeder, then you’ll want to do your research online. If you love chocolate labrador retrievers for example, then checking out dedicated sites is a useful way to scope out the best breeders locally for you.
Prepping your home for a puppy is essential to ensuring that it’s a smooth transition not only for the dog but for all those in the home. Everyone should feel comfortable around the dog and vice versa. Use these tips to prep your home for a puppy and to make it an enjoyable experience and memory for all those involved.
