4 Tips Getting Your Home Ready for a Furry New Arrival

By new arrival, we mean or the four-legged variety! People adopt dogs for all sorts of reasons, but one thing is sure, when you introduce into your family, nothing will ever be the same again! Whether you’re bringing home a new puppy or a rescue dog, you’re going to need to have everything prepared for the new arrival. This will ensure a smoother transition period into your family and their new life!

Here are some tips on how to have everything ready for your new four-legged friend:

Safety first

All dogs are curious – puppies especially! And dogs can sometimes find ways of getting themselves into trouble. The best thing you can do, is to try to remove any danger. Start with the outside, and make sure your garden is fully secure, with fencing that can’t be dug underneath or fences that can’t be squeezed under. Consider putting up signs, warning people that you have a dog at home and asking people to remember to shut the gate or knock before they enter your home. Check out this website for a little inspiration.

Ensure your garden or outdoor space is clear of any debris, any garden equipment or toys that might be chewed or mistaken for dog toys. Some flowers and plants can be toxic for dogs, so it’s best to research what plants are in your garden and remove them if you believe them to be toxic or harmful.

Stairgates

You new dog/puppy needs to be introduced slowly to your home. Large, open spaces filled with people and strange objects might be a little daunting for them. Giving them their own safe area will help keep them calm while they adjust to their new surroundings.

Consider strategically placing baby gates and stairgates across the top and bottom of the stairs, across balconies and ponds. All these areas should be out of bounds for a new, curious puppy. Having areas cordoned off will help keep your possessions and furniture safe too!

Toys

Puppies and adult dogs, love to chew. So having their very own selection of toys to chew on and toys to play with will certainly save your socks and shoes! There’s a fantastic selection out there, including rings, pull toys, slings, tugs and fabric frisbees. Just ensure that your dog/puppy isn’t left alone with anything that could be broken apart, splinter in their mouth and then possibly choke them. It’s a great way for you to play together too!

Food and water

It goes without saying that your dog needs to have access to food and water at all times. So make sure that the bowls are ready for them when you bring them home for the first time. Avoid plastic bowls if you can, as these will end up as chew toys when they’re empty. So invest in something heavy bottomed and ceramic to ensure longevity and durability. A heavier bowl will be harder for the dog – or you – to knock over!