Providing a Safe Environment for Puppy

So you've found her. The perfect little puppy of your dreams. As you are starting an adoption process or making plans to bring her home, the first thing you must do before she gets there is to prepare her new home. Just as if you were bringing home a new baby, for some of us this is exactly the same thing, your home should be a safe haven. You should not have to worry about the puppy getting into things that could hurt her or poison her. You need to make sure she will be secure and safe both from predators and from herself. So how do you do that?

First you should make the decision as a family whether or not your new pet will be an "indoor" dog or and "outdoor" dog. This depends on the breed and your ability to keep it safe. If the dog will be a very large and rugged breed who does well in your climate, it will probably be ok to be mostly an outdoor dog with the exception of extreme weather conditions. Hopefully you have already done your research to determine which breed is right for you. If your dog, like mine, is a small, needy breed, she may do best indoors. Be sure to have checked the breed in relation to any family member's allergies if necessary especially if you choose to keep her indoors.

Whether or not your dog is outdoor or in, consider how you will be taking her out on potty breaks. Will you mostly be letting her out the backdoor? Will you be installing a doggie door in the back door? I open up my back door and just let my little girl do her business on her own. She usually lets me know very loudly when she is ready. If this is what you will be doing you need to make sure your back yard is fenced in and well secure. Make sure any gates you have are closed. Dogs can become very easily distracted and any sudden noise or movement is all the excuse they need for a quick exit. If this happens, they could be hurt by a car, a neighbor, another dog, or anything you could never imagine. Remember, even when you allow a little independence, it is your responsibility to keep them safe. Also, keep in mind some breeds are avid diggers. Make sure if your dog does this they cannot get out. This is how many beloved family pets end up lost or stolen. If your dog is always outside, make sure they are safe from lawn care tools and plants like ivy. Dogs are deathly allergic to many plants. Provide them with shelter from a sudden storm, warmth from the cold, and cool shade from the heat. Sometimes its less costly to keep them indoors.

If you do not have a fenced in yard, or if you would like to enjoy a pleasant walk with your new bff, you will need a leash. Most states require if the dog is not fenced in to be on a leash. Many dogs do not automatically stay close to mom and dad, they tend to bolt at the site of a neighbor they don't know or even children playing. They will not yield to oncoming cars, nor will they cease fire if they feel threatened. This takes time and a lot of training and even after that, the laws are still the laws. May I suggest a harness while leash training for tiny puppies. They prevent the dog from hurting themselves while tugging on their leash. You will probably find, however, that as they get bigger, the harness is hard to pull on and off every time you need a potty break and if left on, they like to chew them off. Never take them out without a leash. You will be putting them in jeopardy of hurting themselves and as they get bigger, of hurting someone else. You are their source of food, so most dogs instinct is to protect that. A leash will keep them safe and by your side at all times, and also keep an occasional neighbor from getting angry with you!

Inside the house, much as if a new baby was coming home, you must pick up any and all items from the floor that the puppy could get a hold of, chew on, or even eat. They will swallow odd things, given the chance, just like a baby that can hurt them. Be weary of all electronics cords, cables, and exposed wires. Might I suggest a product called Fooey. You can find this at any pet specialty store and its amazing, just don't get it on your hands. Use household cleaning gloves while you spray this on any exposed cords as well as the bases of furniture to prevent chewing. This stuff leaves an awful drying sensation on the tongue and will teach the puppy that they do NOT want to chew on THAT! Don't worry, it wears off after a while, it doesn't stain or damage anything, and by the time it has worn off your puppy will be trained!. Make sure to separate children's toys and dog toys. Do not let them have the ability to reach and therefore chew each other's toys.

Determine a means of securing your pet while you are away. For outdoor dogs, might I suggest to not tie them up as it is easy for them to be hurt, not to mention, this is a bit cruel and unfair to the animal. If you cannot secure a pet any other way Do Not Get One. Make sure the back yard is fenced and the fence is secure and safe, and keep updated on your weather forecast. In Houston, the weather is unpredictable and can change while you are at work. If there is a remote possibility that we could get a hurricane, don't leave FeeFee outside. If it will be 104 degrees, Fido will be better off inside. If the dog IS indoors, decide whether or not to use a kennel. This is a great means of aiding in house breaking as well. The expression "Never Poo where you eat" comes from here. Make sure you get a kennel big enough for their adult size, not their puppy size. Put a little food and water in there with them. This works best if you can hang it inside the kennel especially for hyper dogs. If their food is close, the poo will wait. Slowly but surely this works. Some people just secure a small room like a bathroom or closed off hallway. If you choose this method, make sure there is food and water available and nothing dangerous they can reach. Baby gates make great room dividers for smaller dogs. If you use a wooden baby gate, spray it with that Fooey stuff.

These methods will ensure that your new baby is safe and sound and will grow healthy and strong. Congratulations on your new bff, enjoy her, love her, respect her, and make her part of your family. But remember, you are not just responsible for entertaining her, her safety comes first.