Bringing home a new bundle of fur is an exciting time but it’s also a lot of work. The first thing you’ll need to do is puppy-proof your home.

Start by getting on your hands and knees so you can see things from their perspective and put everything away that a pup might chew on such as shoes and hats. Here are a few other handy tips:

Think Inside the Box

It’s a good idea to crate train your puppy right from the start so that both of you can get a good night’s sleep.

Power Down

A teething puppy may try to chew on electrical cords so tuck them away so that they’re out of reach.

Pack Your Poison

Gather up any poisonous items such as chocolate, xylitol, bleach or ibuprofen and put them in a secure spot.

Trash Talk

Keep your garbage can out of reach so that your pup won’t come into contact with bones, plastic bags or other choking hazards.

Champion Chewer

Stockpile a wide variety of puppy-friendly chew toys to help redirect their focus away from your shoes or your couch.

Yard Time

Make sure there aren’t any holes in your fence and look out for poisonous plants such as azaleas and daffodils.

Bringing a puppy home is a wonderful, life-changing experience but it can also be a lot of work. It’s therefore best to prepare your home ahead of time so that you can offer your pup the constant love and attention it deserves.