1. Locate Ideal Home Locations
Expect a few accidents in the first few days at your new house since your dog will be enthusiastic or frightened. Choose easy-to-clean beds, water and food dishes, and playground spaces for your new pet. Spread pee pads over a few days to simplify “accident cleanup.”
Baby gates may block off places your dog shouldn't go. You can educate your dog that certain rooms are off-limits that way.
2. Check Danger Zones and Products
Inspect closets and locations where shoes, soiled clothing, cosmetics, and personal care items might be accessible to your dog. Put items up high, in drawers, or behind ties-fastened garden doors to keep your pet out. Some dogs like to chew on personal possessions, including smelly things.
● Block your fireplace with a screen or grate. If your new puppy is inquisitive, keep them out of the fireplace area.
● Put your cleaning supplies, chemicals, tools, plastic bags, sharp items, and matches away or in cabinets/closets an inquisitive dog can't enter.
● Remove tiny items from pet-accessible tables. You don't want a sick dog to chew, ingest, or shatter them!
● Keep pricey flowers, table lamps, mobile phones, iPads, and remote controls out of reach.
● Remove nibbles from tables and food from low shelves. Grapes, chocolate, and other human delicacies are toxic to dogs. Use safety locks on low cabinets to keep pets out of food and rubbish cans.
● Remove floor plants or place them behind furniture to prevent your dog from chewing on leaves and blooms. Lilies, azaleas, irises, sago palm, and daffodils are pet toxic.
3. Hide Wires and Cords
Wrap cables and wires and conceal them under furniture so your dog can't chew on them. Tape hazardous cables and cords to walls or furniture if you can't conceal them.
Don't charge your phone or iPad in floor outlets or leave plug-ins where your pet may get them.
4. Safeguard Older Dogs
Be wary of mobility issues if you're adopting an elderly dog. You should also know that bare flooring might bother them. Keep your new senior dog away from kitchens and bathrooms with hard, slippery floors and provide them stable carpets or rugs. Consider senior pet boots with sturdy, rubberized soles if all your flooring are hard.
Block the stairs with baby gates, pet steps, or a ramp if an elderly dog needs support. You may need a ramp to get an elderly dog into your vehicle. Senior dogs like raised feeders and warm beds.
You can also make special pet doors in the house to make it easier for them to move. Find out the door installation pricein advance.
5. Buy Pet Food to Welcome It Home
Dog food should be age-appropriate and vet-approved. A package of goodies may help teach a dog and clean its teeth.
Check what your pet has been consuming before feeding it new food. Keep feeding your new dog's favorite meal while introducing new ones. Over many days or weeks, gradually add the new food.
Know your pet's feeding regimen. You may adapt it to your schedule and veterinarian-recommended feeding pattern.
6. Buy Indoor/Outdoor Items
Buy a collar and ID tag for the drive home when you pick up your new dog. Anywhere you reside, you need a leash. Keeping your dog on a leash and teaching the pup to heel can save you in crowded locations when get in and out of a car.
Choose a comfortable bed for your new dog based on size. You may require a pet carrier or crate for travel. Homemade carriers are less secure, so use a regulated carrier.
Considering your dog's size, buy separate food and water dishes. Because some dogs are sloppy eaters, metal bowls are simpler to clean and should have a pad beneath them. For walking and trekking, a portable water bottle and dish combo is great.
Have a brush, comb, shampoo, toothbrush, and dog toothpaste on hand—human toothpaste is unsafe. Pets adapt quicker and healthier to these care solutions if introduced early.
A few toys for your new dog are essential. Start with safe chew toys that will help entertain and engage your pup.
7. Give Your Home Special Cleaning Supplies
Dogs need special cleaning solutions, including odor neutralizers. Your dog may get on the bed or couch and leave their odor, whether you let them or not. Be prepared for accidents by stocking your house with stain removers, repellents, and paper towels.
For walks and treks, get a “pooper scooper” and disposable bags. That lets you pick up and properly dispose of dog feces.
8. Post Reminder Lists For Everyone
Talk to your vet and make an appointment before picking up your new dog, particularly if there will be no vet examination (pet shelters usually examine animals before releasing them).
Your veterinarian's number and other emergency numbers—animal poison control, after-hours emergency care, etc.—should be posted where family, dog sitters, and dog walkers can find them. Program these vital numbers into your phone.
Make “training words” reminders for yourself, family, and guests. When you want dogs to stop leaping on humans, say “down,” and when you want them off furniture, say “off.. Dogs may get contradicting signals if “off” is used to jump on humans and “down” is used to get them off furniture. Using various “training words” takes longer to teach an animal.
Conclusion
Always be one step ahead of your new pet and quickly evaluate locations for hazards. Close drawers and doors while leaving a room.
With little work, you can prepare your house for your new dog's safety, well-being, and enjoyment. Make it a habit to maintain it that way for enjoyment and peace of mind!