Preparing the Home for your new dog

Before the puppy  is collected from the breeder, a few preparations should  be taken in hand  to await his arrival.  Garden  fences and  gates should  be made secure, and swimming pools and garden ponds covered over until the puppy has come to realize the potential danger  they represent. Garden  pesticides should be stored out of reach of children and animals. In the home, take care to move tempting  objects out of reach of an inquisitive  puppy;  he will chew anything lying around, especially  leather  and  rubber  objects.  Loose,  trailing  electric wires and flexes can cause serious accidents; leather gloves and slippers will be chewed to ribbons in a short  while as will practically everything at floor level, including newspapers  and mail on the front  door  mat. Tidiness becomes an essential  household  task with a puppy  around.

Although a young puppy will spend  much of his time sleeping, he will also want to play and should be encouraged to do so. A few toys are useful, provided that they are so large that they cannot be swallowed; squeaky toys may be too excitable. Avoid toys made from nylon and plastic, which are easily chewed by small teeth  and  on which the puppy  may choke.