Welcoming a new dog into your home doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In fact, with a little research and the right know-how, you will be able to prepare your home for your dog in next to no time. This article explores how to prepare your home for your new dog, with tips on the steps you and your family can take to welcome the pet into your property.

1. Clean your home

Cleaning your home thoroughly is imperative if you are introducing any pet into your home, but especially important if you are bringing home a new puppy. As young dogs will often want to chew everything, make sure that the floors of your home are clean and tidy, and free from dust, grime and any other small items which could cause your animal to choke. You may also want to secure electrical wires to prevent a serious injury, as well as moving any valuable possessions to another room where your dog won’t be able to access.

2. Secure rooms that you don’t want your dog to visit

If there are rooms in your home where you’d prefer your dog to stay away from, install baby gates that will open and close easily. You will be able to secure these tightly preventing your dog from accessing certain rooms of the home. Your dog will still be able to see you through the gates, so these items are far less intimidating than other ways to prevent access.

3. Talk to your family about your new pet

It is important to talk to every member of your family about your new pet and how their lives could change significantly once the new dog has come home. If you have young children, it will be a good idea to sit them down and discuss what it entails to look after and care for a dog. You may want to sit down as a family and comprise a budget for the new pet. Write down things such as the cost of dog food, potential veterinary bills, and the cost of toys and accessories. You may also want to come up with a routine for walking the dog; perhaps members of the family can take it in turns to walk the dog depending on the time of day.

4. Move furniture and make space for your new dog

Clearing out a cupboard to make way for dog food and accessories is a good idea if you are welcoming a new dog into your home. You will need to prepare healthy meals for your dog everyday so it’s important to have all the food in one place for easy access. Let members of your family know about the “designated cupboard”.

5. Keep the home free from clutter at all times

There are certain things you may not be able to do once you have welcomed your new puppy into your home. These changes are only small, but you may have to adapt the way you do things to ensure the safety of your pet. You should no longer leave bags or containers on the floor as dogs – especially puppies – will get into the items. This can be extremely dangerous for your dog, so make sure you are aware of what you are leaving around the house and where.

6. Try and relax the dog

One the day that your new puppy is due to come home, you may want to make things as relaxing as possible for your new pet. Try and make the journey home as calming as possible. Your new dog may be nervous about meeting all of you for the first time, especially a new puppy. Try and make your puppy go to the toilet before it gets into the car.

7. Prepare your dog’s sleeping area in the home

A well-prepared sleeping area for your dog can really make it feel at home. Think about a comfortable dog bed with cushions, toys and accessories. The dog bed will need to be positioned in a part of the house that will provide easy access for the animal. There are a number of factors to consider if you are purchasing a dog bed for the first time. The product should be the right size, and should allow you to wash the bed frequently and easily (perhaps with a removable and washable cover).

Author bio:

Andrea Hudson is a passionate blogger and a great animal lover. She loves writing articles about home remodeling and how to improve your home space when getting a new pet . In her free time she enjoys taking long walks with her two small dogs.

If you’re considering getting a new pet for your home in Westchester County, NY, please visit the SPCA of Westchester.  They have an amazing amount of animals waiting for their forever home 🙂