If you are thinking about getting a puppy as a new addition to the family then taking some time to plan ahead will save a great deal of heartache, disinfectant and slippers in the long run. Apart from asking the obvious questions like how big will the dog grow, can we offer it a stable home for the next 15 years, do we have enough time to walk it every day etc. You should also take some time to puppy-proof your home from the inevitable damage that the furball of destruction can wreak.

Your new puppy won’t have any conscious control over their bladder or bowel movements, so just as a young baby will go potty without knowing it, so will your new puppy. In the beginning she may need to go as many as 10 or more times a day and if you don’t keep a sharp eye on her from the beginning, then you’ll start to find small puddles and other accidents around the house. To puppy-proof your home you should make sure that there are no gaps or small spaces for her to crawl in to and go to the potty. This means blocking off spaces behind the couch, under the stairs and behind other furniture. Having plenty of disinfectant and cleaning materials on hand is also advisable. Accidents are always easier to clean up on hard floors rather than on carpet, so see if it’s possible to confine the puppy to an area of hardfloor like in the kitchen and utility rooms.

As your puppy explores her new surroundings she will use her mouth to help her learn about the world around her. This means that slippers, shoes, bags, newspapers, mail, remote controls and cushions become a very interesting target. While she goes through her chewing phase and while you train her not to do it, consider removing all items like cushions and shoes and storing them all in an area the puppy can’t get to.

Whilst talking about putting things out of reach, the same applies to food. Your puppy will be able to smell food regardless of where they are in the house, so if you are eating a snack while watching TV and absent mindedly put it down to answer the phone, then expect to come back to find the snacks gone and one very satisfied puppy. Keep any food in the kitchen in a place where the puppy can’t reach and remind everyone not to leave any food unattended while the little pup is roaming around. Because a lot of food today comes in cardboard, cellophane or very thin plastic, to help puppy proof your food, buy plenty of robust plastic airtight containers and store any dry food like cereal in it rather than the original packaging.

You will need to designate an area where the puppy can sleep and have some downtime. This should be somewhere where she won’t easily be disturbed and is always in the same place. Some people use puppy crates which are like a den where the puppy can have its personal space which shouldn’t be invaded.

If you have a yard, then chances are the puppy will start using it for going to potty. Have some tools and materials available to remove the mess as soon as possible, particularly if you have children also playing in the yard.