Preparing Your Living Room Before Bringing Home A Puppy
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The first few weeks with your puppy are a huge adjustment for both of you. They will experience a lot of sights and smells that can be overstimulating.
It is important to prepare your living space ahead of time to help make the transition as easy as possible for you and your pup. This includes preparing your home with safety checks, acquiring necessary supplies and talking with your family about responsibilities and schedules.
Create Boundaries in the Living Room
The living room is the heart of your home. It’s where you host friends, watch movies, and spend quality time with family. But sometimes it can feel like a catch-all for life’s miscellaneous debris. When you have a puppy in the house, things can get even more chaotic.
Puppies are endlessly curious, so they will want to explore all areas of your home, including the living room. If you don’t create clear boundaries, your pup could chew the leather handle on your guitar case or stub his toe on an unattended hand weight left on the coffee table.
Baby Gates for Dogs
Creating borders in your living space will help keep your new puppy safe. Use baby gates to block off stairs and other areas that your puppy may be tempted to explore. This way you don’t have to worry about them wandering around.
Dog Crates
Also, create a bed or crate in the corner of your living room to serve as your pup’s own personal area. This will help them feel safe and secure, which can reduce territorial behavior. The best crates will also provide a comfortable place for your pup to sleep and rest after adjusting to their new environment.
Designate A Safe Space for Your Puppy
When it comes to puppy safety, it is important to have a private space for your dog that they can retreat to when they are overwhelmed. This safe space can be their bed, a crate or even a favorite spot on the couch.
You can make their safe space cozy and welcoming by adding a blanket or bed to it, as well as giving them toys that they can chew on. You can also use this space to give them medication or calming supplements, if necessary.
Before you bring home your new pup, have everyone in the household agree on what their private space will look like and what rules they will follow when they are in it. This will ensure consistency and prevent your pup from being confused if they are allowed on the sofa one day but not the next.
You will also need to puppy-proof your puppy’s safe space, so that they cannot access objects that could harm them. This means putting away cleaning supplies, medications, and trash cans that they can’t reach.
You will need to also secure items that can be choking hazards, such as paper clips and jewelry. Lastly, you will need to put away any sharp items like scissors, razors and tools.
Remove Any Objects That Could Harm Your Puppy
Young puppies are inquisitive by nature, and they’ll want to explore their environment and chew on anything that fits their mouth. Items like electrical wires that can cause burns or, if swallowed, blockage in the intestines should be covered or removed completely from the puppy’s reach.
Medications and other cleaning products that could be toxic if ingested should also be stored safely, either in high cabinets or behind doors with childproof latches.
Puppies are often attracted to trash and other food sources, so secure your garbage cans and move any food that’s on the counter or tables out of reach.
Toxic plants and flowers should be moved to higher locations in your house or garden, too.
If you have young children in your home, make sure they know to keep their plush toys away from the puppy. These things can snag in the puppy’s teeth and choke them if chewed on.
Prepare and Adjust Furniture for Your Puppy’s Comfort
A puppy’s curiosity may be piqued by items on or in your furniture that you don’t want them to chew or eat. Make sure these items are not within their reach by putting things like cords in baskets, stashing shoes and jewelry in closets, and securing trash cans with childproof latches.
Furniture can also be tempting for puppies to climb onto because they may feel close to you and it offers them a view that they cannot get from the floor. To discourage this behavior consider putting rugs or blankets on your furniture that can be easily washed if they become dirty.
If you decide that your puppy is not allowed on the couch then stick to that rule from the beginning so it is clear to everyone involved. Use the command “off” to help your dog understand that he is not permitted on the furniture.
If your puppy is still climbing on the couch, gently and firmly take him by his collar and lead him off in a way that he knows he is not going back up. The more time he spends on his bed the less fur, stains, scratches, vomit, and other debris will be on your living room furniture.
Gather Necessary Supplies to Care for Your Puppy
Puppies require a lot of care. They need to be fed three or four times a day and walked or taken outside for potty breaks at least once every hour. They will also have the occasional indoor accident (they are puppies after all).
Adding a puppy to your home can be challenging, especially if you already have a full schedule. If you can, work from home or book a few days off so you can devote time to your new pet.
Before bringing your new puppy home, make sure you have all the supplies you need to care for them. Stock up on paper towels, cleaning cloths and commercial cleaners that are designed to clean typical dog messes.
Move any household plants, which are often toxic to dogs, out of reach and secure any trash cans with snapping lids. You will also want to buy a collar, leash and ID tag for your new pet.
It’s a good idea to have all the family members sit down and come up with rules for the new puppy before they arrive. Most puppies learn best when there is consistency. They won’t understand if one day they are allowed on the couch and the next they aren’t.
Set Clear Rules For Your Puppy To Follow
Your puppy is new to your house and their surroundings, so it’s important to set clear rules for everyone in the household. This includes establishing a daily routine, training, and food schedule.
It’s also a good idea to invest in some basic supplies like puppy pads, spot begone spray for cleaning up messes, a chew deterrent, and healthy treats for training.
Puppies may be endlessly curious, but it’s important to teach them what areas are off limits to avoid them getting into trouble. It’s not a good idea to allow them to play with your shoes and other personal items because they will likely be chewed on. Instead, encourage them to engage with safe toys in their living space area.
Similarly, it’s not a good idea for other dogs or pets in the home to swarm your puppy when you first bring them home because it will overwhelm their senses and make them feel threatened or anxious.
In these situations, it’s best to introduce them one-on-one outside in a neutral environment and let them get comfortable with each other. Afterward, they can play together with supervision. This will also help to prevent any aggressive behavior or fighting that could occur between them.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your living room before bringing home a puppy is essential to creating a safe and comfortable environment for both you and your furry friend. Puppies require a lot of attention and care, especially during their first few weeks in a new environment.
By taking the time to properly prepare your living room and implement a consistent routine, you can provide a stable and nurturing home for your new pet and enjoy many years of love and companionship together.
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