There is only one thing that can make your new home that much better: a new puppy! What’s not to love about floppy puppy ears, soft bellies, and of course – puppy breath?
Whether you’re heading out to get a new pup this weekend, or are the proud new parent of a little rascal, one thing is for sure: you need to know how to puppy proof your new home so that your biggest emotional investment does not wreak havoc on your biggest financial investment. Here are some tips to keep your home safe.
Crate Training
Using a crate is one of the best things that you can do to protect your new home. Crate training is an appropriate and effective way of confining your dog to one area of the house, and is key in potty training, and getting them accustomed to spending time in their own space without you. This is a great training method, especially when you are running an errand or when it is time for bed. Using a crate helps prevent your puppy from wandering off and getting into things, chewing things, or having accidents in the house when you least expect.
Puppy Proof by Removing Obvious Puppy Attractions
Be sure to barricade areas hallways, stairways or the dining room that you don’t want a puppy to have free access to by using baby gates. Also, remove items you don’t want chewed up, like your expensive pair of shoes. You should also make sure that trash is kept in a closed container or under the sink, and that power cords and other enticing objects are removed from within puppy’s reach. Make sure that any dangerous and toxic items are locked up and inaccessible. Giving your puppy too much freedom too early will enable bad habits to form (such as urinating in bedrooms and closets).
Take Your Puppy Outside A LOT
If you want your puppy to be worn out and avoid having accidents on your brand new sofa or carpet, you need to take your pup outside frequently. When your puppy is still being house trained, take them out once an hour if you can. When they go to relieve themselves outside, reward them with affection and a treat. Take your dog out even if you do not think they need to go, and plan on waking up in the middle of the night once or twice to let the puppy outside; puppies cannot hold their bladders through the night.
Purchase Toys
As puppies lose their puppy teeth and grow in their adult teeth, chew toys are a must! To keep your puppy from chewing up everything in sight, make sure you purchase plenty of puppy-friendly toys to keep it entertained. In addition to dog puzzles, balls, and stuffed animals, invest in some durable, flavored chew toys.
Keep Your New Home Looking New
Setting up a routine that involves proper training and some playtime is a great way to get your dog accustomed to its new home. Just remember to crate train, go outside often, buy puppy toys, and keep the puppy out of rooms of the house you want to protect. It is never too early to start training, so consider enrolling your newest family member in a puppy training course near you. You’ll be glad you did.
Are you interested in buying a new home in Oregon, Idaho, or Washington that would be perfect for a puppy? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. Hayden Homes offers homes that dog owners will love, and our homes are in some of the most pet-friendly communities out there! Contact us for more information.