Tips for New Puppy Owners

Bringing a new puppy into your home is life having a toddler running around.  It can be mayhem.  There are literally hundreds of things that can hurt your new puppy.  Here are a few tips to proof your house:-

•    Confine your puppy to a small part of the house.  Puppy does not get to run around the entire house.  Use child gates to confine puppy for a small part or room or purchase a “play pen”, commonly called “x-pens”.  Puppy should be confined in these areas.  Make it a positive experience for puppy with food chew toys – careful about your choice of toys here and some soft cuddly toys.

•    Just like a toddler, remove all electrical cords, items on low tables, household plants (some are toxic to dogs), etc. basically anything that could cause damage to your puppy.  These are some basic simple precautions that could save grief and expensive trips to the vet later on.

•    Train puppy to love her crate.  This will have advantages later on for trips in the car, to the Vet etc.  You can start by tossing some food treats into an open crate to encourage her to go in there.  Alternatively you can place her food bowl/food chew toys in the crate to encourage her to eat there. 

•    Let puppy sleep in the crate at night – all safe and secure and eliminations will also be kept to a minimum.

All the best with parenting!