So, you have a new family member? Congrats!

These cute paws, gentle woofing, and wagging tail melt literally every heart. However, together with this tiny cuteness comes a bag of responsibilities. All of a sudden, you have to take care of things like bathing, choosing the best dog food for dental health, and collecting chew toys all over the place..

To help you survive this wonderful time, we created a simple checklist to tackle before you pick up your furry baby, so you can actually enjoy the ride.

1. Hide all chargers and electrical cords. There’s no doubt that your puppy will use e-cords as a chew toy. To avoid that, it is crucial to hide electrical cords behind the furniture so your buddy doesn’t have them for dinner.
2. Provide a cozy sleeping place. It must be comfy and safe. A plush bed or a crate could be the option. It should be big enough for a poochie to lie down, stand, and turn. Place the bed somewhere in the corner and add soft bedding and a blanket that smells like you.
3. Get dog gates. If you plan to keep some rooms dog-free, it’s better to use baby gates. After all, puppies are like kids. They like to explore every part of your home, so if you would like to keep the stairs, library, or home office closed for your pet, set these boundaries properly.
4. Keep fluffy babies busy. Puppies teethe and need to chew. Actually, they need to chew a lot. So if you have a collection of shoes, it’s better to protect your gems by providing your pet with puppy-friendly chewing alternatives. These can be some durable rope toys, rubber toys, and teething rings. Plus, puzzle feeders work well for mental stimulation. It’s also crucial to rotate toys weekly to keep things exciting for your woofer.
5. Get rid of all the toxic plants. Check out your home’s flora for toxic Pothos, Peace Lily, Dieffenbachia, ZZ Plant, and lilies since they’re toxic if ingested.
6. Store cleaning stuff out of puppy’s reach. Do the same with sharp objects and meds. Keep it in a secure place and use childproof latches if needed. As we’ve already said above, puppies are like kiddies – they like to explore and open drawers or anything else that can be opened.

If you happen to live in the house, it’s better to check your yard. Are there any gaps in the fence? Or, perhaps, you find toxic plants out there? Your task is to protect your new family member from anything they might chew, dig up, or destroy that they shouldn’t. Happy pet-parenting!