Whether you have never owned a dog and are planning on getting a new puppy, or have had dogs in the past and are considering getting a new puppy, there are a few items to consider to prepare your home for the puppy to arrive. Puppies are cute and fun to play with, but they also come with a ton of responsibility. Taking the proper precautions and actions to prepare your family and home for the new puppies arrival is key to having success and happiness with your newest family member.

Puppies love to chew. Whether your new puppy decides to chew on your shoes, furniture, cords or anything else it can get in its mouth; your puppy will chew. You need to be prepared for this and have a plan of action at hand to teach your new puppy what to chew and what not to chew. The best way to encourage your puppy to chew the right things, is to put them in front of them. Purchase dog bones and dog chews that will encourage your puppy to eat those and not your shoes, clothes and furniture. Secondly, there are dangerous aspects to what your puppy is chewing on. If your puppy decides to chew up a shoe and swallow pieces, you could have some problems on your hands. You may just be footing a veterinarian bill that you otherwise could have avoided. Another highly dangerous part of puppies and dogs with chewing habits is chewing on electrical cords and wires. Whether it's a lamp, extension cord or computer cord, chewing on anything electrical can result in electrocution or even death. Point made, cover your electrical cords and provide your puppies and dogs with the proper chew toys and treats they will love to chew on, saving your precious belongings.

For many small puppies and small dogs, stairs can be potentially dangerous. Whether your puppy cannot get up the stairs, or just does not belong up or down the stairs, you need to protect them from harms way. If your puppy is not able to climb stairs, but continues to try, you need to get a baby gate or puppy gate. These gates are affordable and available at many pet stores and department stores. Having a simple baby gate can save your puppy from a terrible fall down a flight of stairs or save your belongings that are at the top or bottom of the stairs. This is a simple solution that saves on many problems.

Cleaning products in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms can be fatally damaging to your puppy or dog. There are some measures that you can take to save your puppy from getting into hazardous chemicals and cleaning products. The first is the baby latches that can be purchased at a department store. These latches hook to the top inside of your cabinets and only adults can open the cabinets. In addition to adding latches, many stores are now offering chemical free "green" cleaning products that are not as harmful. You may need to block off bathrooms and kitchens entirely if you have a larger dog that can jump gates. These are some simple ideas that can be accomplished for minimal money and can save your puppies life.

Lastly, there is a great method of seeing your puppies world through his eyes. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. You will notice many items that your puppy can access that you don't really want it in. Whether it's decorations, hanging clothes that look "tempting" to the puppy, or other potentially dangerous items, seeing the world from your puppies eyes is the best way to avoid future problems.

Finding the perfect puppy or dog to add to your family is a great experience. Taking the time to puppy or dog proof your home will make your experience that much better. By avoiding dangerous and frustrating circumstances you will find that owning your new puppy a very rewarding and fulfilling experience for both your family and your puppy.