Making Your Home A Safe And Secure Place For Your Puppy To Live

Before you bring your puppy home, you will need to prepare for his arrival. This will include, making your home puppy safe, and purchasing some essential items he will need. Having things ready before your puppy arrives will make for a smooth transition.

Just like children, puppies are extremely curious and, it won't be too long before your new puppy begins exploring and learning about his new environment, therefore, it will be important for you to make and manage an environment that your puppy can live, play and, learn safely in.
In order to 'puppy proof' your home effectively, make a list of the changes you will need to make in your house, in order to make it safe for your puppy. Include things such as clearing away all detergent bottles, exposed electrical cables, and other potentially dangerous household items your puppy may try to chew. Personal items, such as CD's, books, shoes and the likes, should also be kept out of view of your puppy, so as they don't become convenient chewing material.

You will need to restrict your puppy's movement during the first few weeks when he come to live with you, as this will help to keep him safe, and out of mischief. Try to keep all doors to rooms your puppy is not allowed to go into closed. If you need to keep an eye on him, use child gates in doorways to prevent him from entering. Alternatively, you can think of buying your puppy a crate for him to spend time in; puppy crates make ideal little dens, and if your puppy is introduced to a crate in the correct way, he will look forward to spending time there, when you are busy, or out of the house for a short while.
If you have decided not to buy a crate for your puppy, you will need to buy a comfortable basket for him. Purchase a basket your puppy can rest and sleep in comfortably, and put it in a draught proof place, for example, the kitchen or utility room. You will need to buy two bowls, for your puppy's food and water. Try to buy the ceramic or metal type, as the plastic variety can be easily tipped up, or chewed by your puppy.

When buying your puppy's collar and lead, purchase a nylon or leather collar. Avoid buying the type of collar that is made of metal links, this type of collar, is often referred to a 'check collar' or 'check chain', and can quickly become a 'choke chain' if it is not fitted or used correctly. You will need to keep your puppy's coat clean and conditioned, so a simple grooming kit which includes a comb, brush, or mitt, will be sufficient for most breeds.

Your puppy is bound to get himself dirty at some point, so puppy shampoo should be on your list. Don't use anything else when washing or bathing your puppy, for example, washing up liquid, as this could cause your puppy skin problems.

Your puppy will need a variety of hard wearing and stimulating toys. I would advise that you avoid buying the squeaky type toys for your puppy, as this type of toy can be easily chewed, and if swallowed, could be harmful to your puppy. The ideal kind of toy is the type that is can be stuffed with food or treats for your puppy, this type f hard wearing toy, not only gives your puppy's teeth and gums a good workout, but keeps him mentally stimulated also.

Finally, you will need to have a supply of food at home for your puppy. It will be up to you to decide what type and variety of food to feed him, for example, dry prepared food, tinned food, or to simply keep him on the diet your breeder has provided you. If you plan on changing your puppy's food, then I would advise buying him the best quality possible. You get what you pay for, and dog food is no exception. Avoid buying the cheaper varieties of food sold at the supermarket for example, as these kinds of foods main source of protein is cereal or vegetable based, and contain a very high proportion of added chemicals and additives. The kind of food you should be looking for should have it's main source of protein derived from meat, these foods will also contain a balance of essential vitamins and mineral, which are essential to your puppy's physical and mental development.