Opening up your home and your heart to a new puppy is one of the most beautiful experiences you can have. The feeling of the warm, fluffy, pulsing mass of life (super adorable puppy in other words), is nothing short of an incredible one.
But before the puppy arrives, you would need to ensure that your home is in the right state to accommodate a puppy. What does this mean? It simply implies that you would need to answer the following questions and tick them off your checklist:
- Is Your Home Puppy Proof?
The first step before bringing your puppy home is ensuring your home is safe. Your puppy would tend to wander around the house a lot, getting familiar with the surroundings and on his quest, might decide to explore interesting subjects.
These subjects may range anywhere from dangling fabrics, strings, or wires to small objects like paper clips or even furniture! So, you would want to protect your pup from swallowing stuff he shouldn’t while preserving your property too.
- Have You Gotten Supplies?
Food and water bowls, and of course, food are primary supplies you need. For feeding, 2 or 3 times a day is ideal while your pup’s feed should be recommended by a veterinarian.
You would need to get a collar and leash, and toys too! Your puppy would have a lot of nervous energy and wouldn’t you rather he took it out on toys rather than your furniture.
Furthermore, your pup would need a place to sleep, just like you do, and a crate would do just fine for this. It would also serve as a secure location for times when you’re leaving him on his own. As a rule of thumb, the crate should have enough space for your pup to stand and turn around.
- Have You Decided On Limits?
Puppies are just like babies, they watch your every move and easily pick up on routine or rules. However, inconsistency is one factor you want to avoid. If it’s cool for them to go in a room one day, and it’s not the next, you’re sending mixed signals and this is confusing.
Before bringing the puppy home, decide rooms where he’s allowed to enter, whether or not he’s allowed on the furniture and other decisions in that line. Consistency is key!
- Are Your Family Members Prepared Too?
Preparing your family members is just as important as preparing your home itself. If you have kids, they need to know that the pup isn’t a toy, and should be treated gently.
They should know the basics about puppy care; how to relate with the puppy, knowing better than to not disturb the pup when he’s sleeping or eating, amongst others.
Create a routine for your pup and let your family members know about it so that they can keep up even in your absence. These preparations go a long way into making the obedient dog that you want later in the future.
