To be healthy and happy, dogs need a safe, secure and familiar place to call home — just like us!

Naturally curious animals, they love exploring, biting, chewing, sniffing and licking almost any new, unfamiliar object — which, when they’re a pup, means pretty much everything. So, if you’re thinking of welcoming a new furry friend into your life, you need a house that’s puppy-prepared.

With potentially hidden dangers throughout the home, this is for their safety — but it’s also for the good of your favourite pair of shoes! The introduction of an energetic young puppy is a learning curve for owners, so get ahead of the game with a checklist prepared by Harringtons, natural dog foods to make things as smooth as can be.

1.      Create their designated doggy space

Dogs love having an area, however small, which they can retreat to, relax and call their own — a canine bedroom, if you will. Much like for a baby, you need to ready a space for the arrival of your new puppy! 

A dedicated area for your dog can be extremely beneficial for their house-bound ‘development’. It helps puppies get used to being alone, when that time eventually arrives. Deck this puppy-safe zone out with their brand new doggy bed, blanket, treat toys and other doggy gizmos — essentially, pack it full of familiarity and comfort.

Some owners make their designated doggy space a place that engages all the senses by playing some quiet music or nature sounds.

Any room in the house can be used for this — your spare room, the laundry room, a walk-in closet. It doesn’t have to be big; in fact, dogs often prefer a nice, cosy space. Word of warning, however: be braced for doggy ‘accidents’.

A mess-proof, wipeable or replaceable floor can be a good idea. If space allows, many puppy owners opt for their kitchen, perhaps fenced off with baby gates.

2.      Dog-proofing your home

It goes without saying, but make sure to pup-proof the immediate environment; the curiosity of a young pup knows no bounds. It might help to get down on your hands and knees and experience your home from their perspective!

• Remove all choke hazards, and make sure to store any toxic cleaning products or medicines well out of reach. Don’t leave small objects like paper clips, coins or hair bobbles lying around.
• Tape down all electrical cords; dangling wires should be out of reach to remove the risk of electrocution.
• Remove hanging objects that could be chewed and gnawed on.
• Consider investing in some dog-friendly bins — butterfly pedal bins usually do the trick.
• Expect your houseplants to come under attack, so make sure they’re not poisonous — or of too much value!
• Find a secure place to store your shoes or other enticing household objects, or they might be a new favourite chew toy in no time.
• Try to make heights inaccessible; it can be easy to get up, but bones can be broken falling down.

3.      Stock up on supplies

Eliminate the risk of being caught short by ensuring all of the necessary supplies that owning a (sometimes messy) puppy might entail. 

• Food represents the biggest ongoing supply expense. We’d recommend that new owners set up a dog food subscription service; as well as being one less thing to have to add to your supermarket trolley, you’ll never worry about running out. With a fully-customisable Harringtons dog food subscription, you’ll be able to make exclusive savings on every order, as well as benefit from free delivery.
• Unfortunately, all puppies leak. Whether you’re using puppy training pads or not, having absorbent materials like newspaper on hand can save you some hassle.
• For when those unavoidable messes do occur, invest in some household cleaning products. A good stain and odour removal and disinfectant are essential items in any puppy owner’s arsenal.
• Clean dog, clean home — absorbent towels, wipes and dog shampoo are great investments to keep your dog as sparkling as can be. Don’t forget your dog toothpaste and the toothbrush, too. 
• To keep your new pooch (as well as the home) neat and tidy, a bristled or rubber-toothed brush is an essential piece of grooming kit.
• To prevent your sofa becoming the favourite thing to chew on, stock up on some interesting and playful chewy toys; they provide mental and physical stimulation. 
• If you’re keen on protecting your upholstery, some slipcovers and a throw for your sofa are never a bad idea.
• For when it’s time for walkies, don’t forget that you’re required by law to pick up after your pup — so a plentiful supply of poo bags is essential.

4.      Educating everyone & assigning responsibilities 

Needless to say, owning a dog is a huge commitment, so you need buy in and investment from everyone in your house. Establishing the responsibilities around the home are important; who’s in charge of feeding, or poop collecting?

Overexcited children and new puppies are a very common pairing, but they don’t often go well together! As fun as they can be, puppies aren’t toys, so it’s important to teach young ‘uns the basics of puppy care — how to feed it, to not disturb it when asleep, and so on. 

5.      Establish a routine

When everyone knows what to expect and when to expect it, you have a recipe for a well-oiled puppy-owning household. Like humans, dogs love and thrive on routines, so establishing regular feeding, walking and bed times helps to make the puppy-owning lifestyle a smooth, simple one.