by Donna Fallesen

Created on: November 16, 2008

Your family just decided on getting a new household addition, and you are excited but possibly overwhelmed by what must get done before your precious, furry, little bundle can step paw into the home. Do not fret, because what must be done is not as much as it seems and think about the prize in the end. What do they say? Oh yes, eyes on the prize!

First off, you have most likely decided on the breed of dog you are choosing but perhaps you do not know much about them or maybe you would just like to read up for a heads up on anything of importance you might be facing in training this new and cute beast of yours. You can go to the local library, possibly a book store if you are willing to invest some money on a training book, or you could simply use the internet which is teeming with knowledge of the breed you have your heart set on. Why is this important? Because if you go in unprepared, you will be shocked later on by any of the chosen breed's traits you did not realize. For example, if you had children you would want a family dog. It is very important in preparing yourself to get at least some information down.

Now, after having read about your dog, you likely understand puppies like to chew and they are not picky about what they get their mouth on and they can do a massive amount of damage on something even if they only have their puppy teeth. This brings us to cleaning up the home and minimizing any mess or knick knacks that you would rather stay in perfect condition, because believe me, if you don't it will be lost to those tiny white fangs! You will want to have wires out of reach and garbage out of sight, because it most certainly will not be out of their smell. Everything that is harmful to the animal should be taken out. For example different types of plant life can be poisonous to your household animals, and you do not want to risk falling leaves or flower petals.

This goes for your outside yard too. Make sure you either stay with your puppy and keep an eagle eye on him, or simply remove the plant which could end up causing you problems and too much worry in the future. As for the rest of outside, if you are having your dog run loose, I recommend fencing and plenty of proofing on the lawn. Puppies make mess, so if this us a concern to you, try sectioning him off to a "bathroom" corner.

Now for the fun and your puppy will love you for this.. toys! Read up on different brands of toys to make sure they are safe for your little dog. Some read right on the label that they are not harmful in case of ingestion, and that is critical because as stated before, puppies will chew. If you are getting your dog a bone, make sure it will not splinter because this will cause digestion issues and can be very painful and dangerous for the puppy.

As for food and water dishes, make sure they are suited for your dogs height and weight, because a bowl with little food can look like a sad bowl and you do not want to be tempted to overfeed!

Crates also come in handy for when you are out of the home and cannot watch your little dog. It prevents them from going on a destruction rampage and can ease your mind when you are not home. Try leaving your puppy a water dish inside so that he does not go thirsty when you are away to work or running errands. Also, everyone loves comfort and dogs are no exception! Go ahead and give your new addition a cozy, but durable, bed. They come in various shapes and sizes that you will have to be the judge on what fits your dog's personality!

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