How to Prepare for a New Puppy

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Dog bed
Dog food
Baby gates
Kennel
Food and water dishes
Chew toys

Step 1:
Check your yard. Make sure there are no holes under the fence for your new puppy to wriggle under. Also ensure that there are no garden tools, fertilizer or other things that he could hurt himself on.
Step 2:
Puppy-proof your home. Do the same things you would to baby-proof your house: Remove house plants from the floor, hide electrical cords and remove dangerous chemicals. If there's a way to get into something, a puppy will find it.
Step 3:
Find out what kind of food the puppy has been eating. Start with that food; if you want to switch foods later, you can gradually mix the new food in so that he can make the transition easily.
Step 4:
Buy a bed that can withstand chewing. Make sure that there aren't any pieces that could break off and hurt the puppy.
Step 5:
Get a kennel or playpen so the puppy will have a safe place to sleep or play when you are not able to supervise.
Step 6:
Buy all the supplies you will need for your puppy. In addition to the kennel, bed and food, you will need a food and water dish, chew toys and cleaning supplies for the inevitable accidents.
Step 7:
Install baby gates. These can be used to keep the puppy in or out of certain areas and block access to the stairs.

Tips & Warnings

Buying puppy pads may be a good idea. They can be helpful when potty training a puppy.

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