Are you bringing home a four-legged furry family member? Then check out the best ways to make sure to prepare home for a puppy the right way.
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Table of Contents
- 1. Keep a Puppy Safe by Securing All Electric Cords
- 2. Grab a New Puppy Proof Trashcan
- 3. Puppy Proof Cleaning Supplies with Genius Locks
- 4. Find and Hide All Choking Hazards for Puppies
- 5. Put Away Toxic Foods for Puppy Safety
- 6. Keep Sharp Objects Clear of New Puppies
- 7. Remove Poisonous Plants from Home and Yard
- 8. Keep Grass Trimmed for Ultimate Puppy Protection
- 9. Puppy Proof to Protect Your Furniture
- 10. Protect Your Mattress from the Puppy with a Great Protector
- 11. Upgrade Your Flooring to Help Puppy Proof Your Home the Right Way
- 12. Install a Doggy Gate for Puppy Protection
- 13. Fence in Your Yard to Secure Your Puppy
- 14. Secure Pool Areas for Ultimate Puppy Safety
- 15. Secure the Toilet from Puppy Problems
Adopting a four-legged fur baby is full of excitement, joy, laughter, and fun.
However, puppies tend to be mischievous and it’s important to prepare your home for a puppy the right way.
My husband and I are dog people.
In fact, for many years my husband was a K9 officer and Paco (below) was his partner.
A high-energy Belgian Malinois, Paco had one speed – FAST!
Although Paco was a police K9 he lived with me and my husband full time.
After many years on patrol, he retired from police work to live out his golden years with us eating Puperoni and watching Animal Planet.
When we noticed Paco was slowing down from his whirlwind-fast speed we knew he needed a friend.
Enter rescue puppy, Mirage. At only a few months old Mirage was a handful!
Paco did his fair share of showing her the ropes around the house, but we learned early on that puppies can and will get into just about anything!
To keep our new puppy, Mirage safe we made sure to take extra steps to prepare our home.
With all the years of puppy parenting, we’ve learned a thing or two and would love to share it with all of you.
So, let’s get into all the ways you can prepare your home for a puppy, too.
1. Keep a Puppy Safe by Securing All Electric Cords
In today’s world, we must charge so many different devices.
Laptops, cell phones, tablets, headphones – there’s a cord for everything! Add in cords for TVs, alarm clocks, and everything else – that’s a lot of temptation for a puppy.
The first thing Mirage got into was my laptop cord.
We puppy-proofed our cords immediately after.
- Wrap PVC piping around cords
- Use zip ties to secure cords and attach them to the wall
- Hide cords under furniture
2. Grab a New Puppy Proof Trashcan
Have you ever come home to find your dog had nosed through the trash?
There’s garbage strewn all over the place…. cleaning that up is not fun!
From a puppy’s perspective, there’s nothing more tempting than exploring the smells of garbage.
The trashcan is a treasure trove of goodies galore just waiting for them to open.
Eliminate the puppy temptation with a locking trash can.
We upgraded to a locking trash can when Mirage was a pup, and its handy locking feature eliminates her ability to open the lid.
3. Puppy Proof Cleaning Supplies with Genius Locks
Although cleaning supplies keep our homes fresh and sanitary – many chemicals are toxic to animals.
It’s very important to secure any cabinet that stores cleaning supplies.
Consider adding a latching system to low-level cabinets.
4. Find and Hide All Choking Hazards for Puppies
It’s easy to forget about the little everyday items floating around your house.
A penny on the bedroom floor, rubber bands in the office, hair ties in the bathroom – these can all be choking hazards to animals.
Make sure to do a thorough check of each room of the home to ensure items are not lying about.
5. Put Away Toxic Foods for Puppy Safety
There’s nothing better than a chocolate bar after dinner to satiate that sweet tooth.
But that same yummy chocolate is toxic to pets.
Make sure to secure all food in a cabinet.
If the cabinet is low and accessible to the animal – consider securing it with a latching system.
Here are a few foods to secure:
- Chocolate
- Corn on the cob
- Avocado
- Artificial sweetener containing Xylitol
- Alcohol
- Macadamia nuts
- Onions
- Grapes
6. Keep Sharp Objects Clear of New Puppies
Did your mother ever tell you not to run with scissors?
It’s because they are super sharp.
Make sure to find a safe place to keep all scissors, knives, and any sharp objects away from pets.
7. Remove Poisonous Plants from Home and Yard
Plants and flowers create beauty and elegance in any home.
However, many plants and flowers are highly toxic to animals.
Here are a few plants to secure:
- Lilies
- Hyacinths
- Tulips
- Daffodils
- Azalea
- Crocus
- Peace lily
- Easter orchid, lily, cactus
- Daylily
- Poinsettia
8. Keep Grass Trimmed for Ultimate Puppy Protection
The lawn is my dog’s favorite place to hang out.
She just loves to chill, run, and roll around all day in the backyard.
I’m pretty sure when I’m late for work, she enjoys sniffing absolutely every single blade of grass before doing her business.
With as much time as dogs enjoy spending in the yard, it’s important to keep the grass trimmed.
If your grass is too high, this can be a breeding ground for nasty insects like ticks.
Ticks can cause:
- Lyme disease
- Paralysis
- Anemia
To help protect your puppy against fleas, ticks, and mosquitos, consider adding K9 Advantix ii to the mix.
We’ve used it on both our pups and love it.
9. Puppy Proof to Protect Your Furniture
I know there are many pet parents who don’t allow their pups on the furniture.
Below you’ll see a picture that shows I am NOT one of those pet parents.
I love to snuggle up on the couch with Mirage after a long day.
What I don’t love is the bathroom accidents that can happen with a puppy.
My waterproof sofa cover has been wonderful. It secures to the couch and is anti-slip creating a comfortable area for both me and my pup.
10. Protect Your Mattress from the Puppy with a Great Protector
Similarly, to protect your furniture if your pet shares your bed, it’s important to protect this area as well.
I use a waterproof mattress protector.
11. Upgrade Your Flooring to Help Puppy Proof Your Home the Right Way
When selecting flooring – I’ve been told there are two camps.
Those that hate carpet and those that love it.
I prefer a mix throughout my house.
In my living room and bedroom, I enjoy super plush carpeting.
We upgraded to a stain-resistant carpet in these rooms.
The stain-resistant carpet gives us the peace of mind of knowing if Mirage has an accident, it will clean more easily.
If you have hardwood floors or need a spot on carpeting for your puppy, a puppy mat can help protect your flooring.
12. Install a Doggy Gate for Puppy Protection
If you have areas you would like to keep off limits to your new fur baby, consider adding a doggy gate.
These gates help secure areas of the home that are off-limits to animals.
This also teaches the pup these areas are a no-go.
When we adopted Mirage, we invested in a portable doggy gate.
This has been great since we can take it along on outings.
I often bring it to my parent’s house and create a barrier for the deck so Mirage can roam safely around the deck.
13. Fence in Your Yard to Secure Your Puppy
Providing a safe place to roam, a fenced-in yard can be a perfect upgrade for your pet.
A fence is on my house wish list.
If you’ve read my blog, you know my husband and I moved recently.
We really want to fence our yard to provide a safe place for Mirage to relax, roam, and exercise.
14. Secure Pool Areas for Ultimate Puppy Safety
Backyard pools are a great place for summer fun in the sun.
However, they can be very dangerous for a dog, especially a curious puppy.
Make sure to secure all pools and ladders from your animals to prevent accidents.
15. Secure the Toilet from Puppy Problems
Puppies are just plain curious.
Everything is new and exciting – this includes the toilet.
Consider keeping the bathroom door closed to prevent your puppy from using the toilet as a giant water bowl.
They really don’t know the difference between the porcelain throne and their water bowl.
However, if that isn’t possible, add a toilet locking system until the puppy is trained.
Final Thoughts
I hope these tried-and-true tips from my own puppy-raising days have helped you prepare your home for a new puppy or dog.
For fun, because I love them, here’s another picture of Mirage and Paco, the best of friends, Scooby and Scrappy Doo.
We miss Paco – he crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2015.
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Your turn!
Are you thinking of bringing home a four-legged family member soon? Do you have any tips to prepare home for a puppy?
Let me know in the comments!
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Great article! Puppies can be a lot, and require a lot at times. Love the pics. Beautiful dogs!
Thank you for reading and the compliments on the pictures Amanda!
Great tips! I got a puppy 2 years ago after not having one for over 15 years and I had forgotten how much they can get into. This is a good teminder.
Hi Dawn! Puppies are wonderful but can be a handful. Thank you for reading.
These are some very practical tips. I am thinking of getting a dog when i get my house. I will bear in mind your home prep tips when I do get a dog.
Hi Kevin!
I hope you are able to get a new puppy when you get your house – they sure make a house a home!
Thank you for reading!
Such great tips in this article. This needs to be read by anyone adopting or purchasing a puppy!
Hi Stephanie!
I’m excited you found the tips to prepare your home for a new puppy great.
Thank you for reading!
Great article – especially about the food. My dog has liver disease and can’t have any food apart from a special dog food, so this is so important!
Hi Alison!
I’m excited you found the article great. In addition, I’m sorry to hear your dog has liver disease. I hope the special dog food is helping.
Thank you for reading!
I remember bringing my german shepherd puppy home, so young and energetic and wild! These tips are spot on, I could have used them all at the time! haha 🙂
Thank you for such a great list! Good preparation is key to a successful puppy integration!
Hi Rob!
I’m excited you liked the post to prepare your home for a new puppy. It really is key to making a puppy transitioning easier.
Thank you for reading!
Hi Catia!
I bet your German shepherd puppy was quite energetic and wild. My Belgium malinois (similar to a German shepherd) was a crazy, handful as well. The puppy stage was a handful!
Thank you for reading!
Great tips! This will be very useful since I’m planning for a puppy in the near future.
Hi Annette!
I hope you are able to welcome a puppy soon and found the tips on preparing your home for a new puppy helpful.
Thank you for reading!
Great tips! I remember bringing my dog home. She was a last minute decision so we weren’t as prepared as we could have been.
Hi Elaine!
I’m excited you found the tips to prepare your home for a new puppy great. There is so much to do, but sometimes last-minute decisions are great, too.
Thank you for reading!
Great things to consider ad I’m thinking to buy myself one soon. So, this will be good to know. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Fransic!
I hope you are able to welcome a puppy soon and found the tips to prepare your home for a new puppy helpful.
Thank you for reading!
PUPPPIES!!!! Saving this for when I finally get a little puppy of my own! thank you for these very helpful tips!
Hi Hailee!
I hope you are able to get a little puppy of your own soon. I’m excited you found the tips to prepare your home for a new puppy helpful.
Thank you for reading!
Great post and nice photos!
Hi Kirsten!
I’m excited you enjoyed the tips to prepare your home for a new puppy great and liked the photos.
Thank you for reading!
Oh my gosh! We love our three rescue dogs. These are some amazing tips for how to prepare our home for a new puppy when the time comes. Thank you for sharing!
Hi There!
We love our rescue dog as well. I’m excited you found the tips to prepare your home for a new puppy amazing!
Thank you for reading!
Aww this so great, thanks for sharing this resource! I want a puppy and this helped me learn about all the things to beware of an prepare for. Who knew I had to prepare my toilet? Hhaha! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Nia!
Puppies can get into just about anything – even the toilet! LOL! Preparing your home for a new puppy is quite involved. I hope you are able to get a puppy soon.
Thank you for reading!
Brining home a puppy is so exciting! I have two who are seven year old now but I remember the puppy phase as if it was yesterday. It’s a wonderful experience when you’re well prepared. These tips are great! Especially putting out of reach toxic or sharp objects. Pups have a talent to get into everything they shouldn’t. Thank you for sharing these!
Hi Charlie-Elizabeth!
I agree! Bringing home a puppy is such an exciting experience, but they really do have the talent to get into everything they shouldn’t! I’m excited you enjoyed the tips to prepare you home for a new puppy post!
Thanks for reading!
Great tips! My husband and I are hoping to add a new puppy to our family soon when our son gets a little older. It is daunting bringing a dog into our home with a baby but these tips make it seem more doable that I thought. Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Jessica!
I’m excited you thought the tips for preparing your home for a new puppy were great. I hope you are able to welcome a puppy when your son gets older.
Thank you for reading!
Great tips. I’ll have to save this in case I ever adopt a dog.
P.S. Mirage is adorable!
Hi there!
Thank you so much – I adore Mirage! I’m glad you liked the tips for preparing for a new puppy!
Thank you for reading!
This brought back so many memories! My puppy got into EVERYTHING… but it was totally worth it! This is a great article to prepare new dog owners for the reality of a puppy. Ours ate our couch! lol
Hi Carrie!
I know what you mean about puppies getting into everything! My pup, Paco was known to eat a couch or two in his day, too. Thankfully, Mirage hasn’t been as destructive.
Thank you for reading and I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Love this post! Puppies are such hard work that a lot of people don’t realise, but by following guides like this, they can absolutely set their homes up for success!
Hi Katherine!
I’m so excited you loved the prepare your home for a new puppy post. It sure can be a lot of work!
Thank you for reading!
So many great tips on securing your home for a new puppy. We need to always be aware that while they are so cute, they are definitely a handful. I like that you added in the foods that we need to make sure we keep out of their reach. Paco and Mirage are both adorable!
Hi Michelle!
I’m glad you found the tips to prepare your home for a new puppy helpful. Puppies sure can be a handful. Also, thank you for complimenting Paco and Mirage. I really appreciate it!
Thank you for reading!
I appreciate this checklist because my daughter has been asking for a puppy. And although we are not there yet, it’s good to know that there are things that need to be done before bringing a puppy home.
Hi Nadia!
I’m glad you liked the prepare your home for a new puppy checklist. I hope when you are ready you and your daughter find the best puppy.
Thank you for reading!
I have some little ones who would love me to take your helpful post to heart:). Thank you for sharing!
Hi Lindsey!
I hope your little ones are able to get their puppy someday (when you are all ready to welcome one.)
Thank you for reading!
I have a friend getting a new puppy THIS weekend! I am sending her this asap!
Hi Andi!
I hope your friend enjoys the puppy days. They are a lot of work and a lot of fun.
Thank you for reading!