Preparing for your puppy’s arrival

Welcoming a new puppy is an exciting, challenging and hugely rewarding time. If you’re well prepared, you can help your puppy settle faster and it’ll be more enjoyable for you too.

Getting ready for your puppy

There’s lots of things to do before you collect your puppy to make sure you’re ready for their arrival. As well as buying important equipment for them, it’s vital to make appropriate preparations at home too. Key things to consider are:

How to puppy-proof your home

Puppies are curious and love to explore, so it’s important you make sure your home’s safe and secure for before you collect your new arrival. Here’s our checklist to help you prepare your home for your puppy.

How to puppy-proof your garden

Your puppy will enjoy spending time outdoors, so you’ll need to make sure your garden’s safe for them to explore too. Here are some important things to consider.

1. Fencing and gates

Before your puppy arrives, make sure there are no gaps in your garden fencing or gates. And check there are no areas where your puppy could dig under or climb over to escape.

2. Toxic garden plants

As with houseplants, there’s a long list of outdoor plants that are poisonous to dogs. They include ficus, holly, mistletoe, philodendron, narcissus, hyacinth, iris, azalea, rhododendron, oleander, poinsettia and sweet pea. If you have poisonous plants in your garden, you’ll need to watch your puppy to make sure they stay away from them.

3. Hazards

Have a close look around your garden to find and address anything your puppy could injure themselves on, including holes in the lawn and sharp thorns.

4. Ponds and water features

Until your puppy’s older, it’s safest to keep ponds with steep sides and water features covered to prevent them falling in and drowning.

5. Tools and small objects

As with indoor puppy-proofing, remove small objects from your garden that puppies could swallow or choke on. And lock away your garden tools, especially those that are sharp.

6. Dangerous substances

Store all garden chemicals such as fertilisers, insecticides, paints and solvents away from your puppy’s reach in a locked area.

Things you'll need for your puppy

Before your puppy arrives, make sure you have everything you need to care for them and help them settle into their new home. Here are the essentials.

Choose one that’s easy to clean and will suit your puppy as they grow.

These are useful for cleaning up any accidents, so make sure to get plenty in stock.

As an adult, your dog must have enough room to stand up, turn around, lie down and stretch out in their crate.

Stainless steel bowls work well as they can’t be chewed, are easy to clean and don’t rust, chip or break. Noise sensitive puppies may prefer plastic bowls.

Initially, this should be the same food your puppy's being fed before you collect them.

Buy toys, balls or treat-dispensing chews that are the right size for your puppy. Rubber dog toys are often more durable.

Choose a collar that will adjust as your puppy grows. And check it’s snug enough not to slip over their head.

Buy non-hazardous cleaning materials that don't have a strong scent to avoid your puppy associating the smell with toilet accidents.

Depending on your puppy's coat type, you may need a brush, comb or grooming mitt. You’ll also need nail clippers designed for dogs.

Choose a toothbrush, toothpaste and shampoo that's specially designed for dogs.

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