'Puppy Proof' your Home
Imagine the devastation if the puppy was home just a short while and a horrible accident occurred. So, it is vitally important to check your whole home in order to ensure your puppy's safety.
While the young puppy is in the fast growing stage (under 5 months) injury can occur to growing legs and wobbly joints should the very young puppy be exposed to the possibility of skating around on a slippery floor of polished wood, tiles or newspaper. This is especially relevant to large breeds. For small breeds, climbing up and down steep steps can also cause injury to a small puppy, particularly if they are slippery.
Inside the house make certain that electrical leads are not accessible for the puppy to chew on and that all objects, especially breakable items that usually sit on the floor are stable. Outside, ensure the yard where the puppy will be running is perfectly secure by blocking up any holes where the puppy might get stuck or worse, escape. If you have a swimming pool, make sure that not only is the fence secure, but also the puppy cannot fit beneath or between any of the railings. Many a small puppy has drowned not only by falling into the family's swimming pool, but also getting stuck underneath its cover.