Before you bring your puppy home

     There are several things that you can do to prepare for your newest family member. I use Maltese as a reference, but many of these tips are useful to most breeds.

I usually tell people that getting down on your hands and knees is the best way to check for hazards to your pup. It gives you a puppies eye view of the world. Small puppies can fit under couches, and behind almost any, cabinet or appliance. Normally, you realize this when you try to catch them. They seem to find your difficulty reaching them, utterly amusing :D


Puppy proofing tips:

Cords and wires: Puppies will chew on almost anything when they're teething. Make sure that all electrical cords and wires are out of their reach. This includes video game wires and controllers. Vacuum cords are also a big favorite.


Toys: If you have children, make sure that there are no toys on the floor. Watch out for Lego's, building blocks, Barbie's or anything else that a puppy might find appealing and choke on. Magnetics are a threat as well. They can cause major intestinal blockage.

Learn the puppy shuffle: These puppies are very tiny, and can easily be injured. Kicking, or stepping on a pup accidentally, is a very easy thing to do. They're also quite playful, and will chase your feet. Many an owner has been injured whilst trying to avoid stepping on their pup. Until they learn to walk by your side, and not in front of you, try to slide, or shuffle around your house. You may feel ridiculous, but it helps avoid an injury to either you, or your puppy, It's worth it.

The refrigerator door, or any door for that matter: Get in the habit of looking down before you close the refrigerator door. There are a lot of intriguing smells in, and around that area for your puppy. It only takes one mistake to cause brain damage or even death. Be cautious with all of the doors in your home. Anything new, is free game to a puppy. They won't hesitate, to go in-between traditional or sliding glass doors.

Plants: Make sure, if you have plants that are low enough to reach, they are not poisonous. Poinsettias are the most obvious, but common plants such as Aloe Vera, Chrysanthimums and azaleas are also poisonous. Here's a link to a helpful list http://www.blankees.com/house/plants/poisonous.htm
Do some research. This not only applies to your house, but your yard as well, and don't forget about mushrooms.

Your yard: Make sure there are no poisonous chemicals your puppy might find interesting...Anti freeze, insecticides, fertilizers, bleach, gas, motor oil, etc.

Fencing: When my dogs were little they could slip right through my fence. Mesh, or chicken wire around the base of the fence, should solve this problem.

Birds and cats: Maltese puppies are very small, and can be mistaken for a bird, or cat's natural prey. I've heard stories of puppies being taken from yards by hawks and never seen again. Because of their diminutive size, this applies to adult dogs as well.(NEVER LEAVE A PUPPY ALONE IN YOUR YARD!)