March 23rd is National Puppy Day, and if you're contemplating adding a puppy to your household, preparing for their arrival is important. This will keep your puppy and belongings safe while ensuring the transition is as smooth as possible for your whole family. Follow this guide to create a puppy-safe home for your new pet.

• Invest in Locking Trashcans
  Puppies and uncovered or unlocked trashcans don't mix. While your puppy can learn to leave your trash alone with training, minimizing their ability to go nosing through your trash for a quick snack is best. Swap your kitchen and bathroom trashcans for locking versions to keep trash where it belongs.
  
  
• Consider Utilizing a Crate
  A crate can be a valuable tool for housebreaking a puppy and providing them with a safe spot to nap or retreat from household chaos. Using a crate will reduce the amount of accidents your puppy has inside the house, as dogs don't like to use the bathroom where they sleep. 
  
  If you decide to use a crate, outfit it with cozy, washable bedding and select an appropriate size for your puppy. Avoid using crates that are too large, as they can encourage your pup to use the crate as a restroom. 
  
  Should your plans involve listing your home with other St. Louis homes for sale, using a crate ensures you have a comfortable, familiar spot to contain and transport your pup during showings and open houses.
  
  
• Set Up a Baby Gate or Enclosure
  During times when you can't focus all your attention on your puppy but still want to allow them to play and explore, set up a baby gate or enclosure to keep them confined to a specific room that's been thoroughly puppy-proofed (and ideally has easy-to-clean flooring). 
  
  
• Secure Any Object You Don't Want Your Puppy to Get a Hold of
  This is an excellent time to go through your home and see that every item has a designated location, preferably secured with a lid or door.
  
  Puppies love to chew shoes, children's toys, books, bottles, and cords. Some will even go after clothes, documents, decorative figures, pillows, and blankets. Medications, sugarless gums and candies, and some houseplants can even be dangerous to your puppy. All these items should go in a bin with a lid, cabinet, drawer, or closet. 
  
  Avoid simply placing forbidden items on a high shelf or counter. Some puppies are surprisingly sneaky and will learn how to access areas they shouldn't; this is especially true for large-breed dogs who learn there's a whole other world to explore when they stand on their hind legs. 
  
  
• Don't Forget to Puppy-Proof Your Yard
  Check that any plants or vegetation in your yard are safe for your puppy to be around. Put a fence around any pools, ponds, or water features. Remove any tools, toys, or chemicals that your puppy might get hold of. 
  
  Keep your lawn mowed and your shrubs and trees trimmed to reduce the number of ticks and fleas in your yard. When your puppy uses the restroom, clean up their mess as soon as possible to deter flies from your property. 

With a little time and preparation, you can transform your home into an environment perfect for welcoming a new puppy into your family. Interested in purchasing a home with more space for your pets? Get in touch to get started.