Welcome New Puppy Get Your Yard Ready For Your New Addition

There’s nothing more wonderful than getting ready to welcome new puppy, especially if you have a big yard they can play in. However, growing dogs are like human children: they get in trouble and put everything in their mouths. Therefore, you need to puppy-proof everything and prepare appropriately for their arrival. Let’s discover everything you should do to keep your pet safe in your backyard.

1. Secure Your Pool

Having a new dog comes with many responsibilities. Many homeowners have pools or have just called a custom pool company to install one when their puppy plans develop. It’s easy to hesitate at that point, believing that you can’t have a pool with a dog in the house because it would be too complicated.

It doesn’t have to be dangerous as long as you take the proper precautions to ensure your pet’s safety. A local pool builder can help plan your pool so your dog can’t get into trouble, but you should also train them to avoid it. You can’t welcome new puppy unless you have the initiative to show them how to behave.

Once your puppy learns some limitations, you won’t have a problem, even if it takes a dip with the rest of the family. Still, several vet tips could come in handy. For example, buying a special floating vest for your dog is a good idea. It’s similar to a kid’s water wings. You just need to put it on and ensure it works before letting your pet take a dive.

There are other particular problems to consider, like pool covers. While they’re great for maintaining the water clean, they could be hazardous to dogs. They will fall into the water even, and the cover will prevent them from finding a way out. Therefore, good pet owners invest in pool fences when they want to cover their pools.

2. Assess Your Yard’s Current State

Once you’ve settled on what to do with the pool, it’s time to look at the rest of your yard. Your lawn needs proper attention. It’s a complete myth to believe that homes with dogs can’t have beautiful and well-maintained gardens. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially for responsible pet owners.

Unfortunately, many plants, flowers, and shrubs in your yard present trouble for dogs, so good homeowners need to find a balance between pet safety and having a decent garden. You can also teach your dog to avoid certain areas, such as where you’ve used terra seeding services. Various fertilizers are poisonous to dogs. Keep them away from the material you bought from mulch suppliers or anything else that could mess up your garden.

It would also be wise to eliminate or secure certain entertainment yard areas. Dogs may eat the ashes of bonfires and barbecues or get too close to an open flame, so be safe with everything. Check for any bee or wasp nests outside that could harm your dog and household. Ensure no broken bottles or sharp objects are lying around. Keep your garden equipment locked up in the garage or somewhere your dog can’t get to it.

3. Remove Any Harmful Plants or Hazards

One of the main parts of getting ready to welcome new puppy is getting rid of what could hurt them, and some plants pose a potential danger to them. For example, if they ingest flowers, like daffodils, hyacinths, etc., they’ll need a vet. Therefore, you must consider adding dividers and small fences around these plants or removing them altogether.

Also, you can invest in buckthorn removal, but you need to keep your dog away from that spot until it’s all cleared. Any chemical agents need to be placed when your dog is secured somewhere else. If you’re removing the invasive plant with hand tools, keeping your puppy and children away is wiser. However, plants are not the only hazard in your yard.

If rain accumulates in several parts of your garden, you should consider a field drainage solution because it’s dangerous for your household to have those water spots. Dogs will drink that water or roll around in it. You don’t want them to get sick or make your home dirty after running around the yard.

Furthermore, you’ll end up with waste whenever you perform garden maintenance or fix a few things. Puppies are attracted to garbage bags because of their curiosity, and you don’t want them eating anything poisonous or making bigger messes by tearing up the bags. Therefore, invest in yard waste dumpsters with proper lids to avoid issues.

4. Create a Designated Potty Area

A primary aspect of getting ready to welcome new puppy is settling where they will do their necessities. Many homeowners prefer to take them on walks, so they’ll go elsewhere. However, not everyone has that kind of time, and dogs should have a particular area in the yard to poop and pee.

Everyone should keep the dog’s business in one spot, so you’ll know where to pick it up. Furthermore, pet pee could ruin some plants and create patches, which is not ideal because fixing a dried area in your lawn can be complicated. Therefore, you must give them a designated place in the yard.

You just have to reinforce good behavior with treats and train them not to go in other parts. You’ll be surprised by how quickly they learn if you keep things consistent and have patience. Accidents can happen, but you must discourage that behavior and aim for a goal. It’ll be hard to prevent peeing in other spots every once in a while, especially if you have a male dog that marks territory, but you should still try to set up a particular site.

5. Install a Fence or Barrier Around Your Property

You can’t welcome new puppy without considering its safety. Pet-proofing is a fundamental responsibility for homeowners. Fencing the pool and parts of the garden is only the beginning. You also have to understand that puppies are curious. They’ll notice everything going on in the neighborhood. Loud noises can make them nervous, and they bark and run.

Therefore, you must add fencing around your property to keep them inside. People lose their pets because they run off, chase a motorcycle, or get scared during fireworks shows. If you plan to keep your dog outside but off-leash, it needs to be in a secured area.

Furthermore, reactive dogs could threaten others; whatever happens, is the owner’s responsibility. Avoid that liability with your neighbors and their kids by being careful. Make sure there are no holes or weak spots a dog can force it open and discourage your pet from trying to escape. Additionally, it’s always better to check up on outdoor dogs regularly throughout the day, and you can also peruse the fence once a week to see if anything has been chewed or scratched.

6. Repair or Remodel the Exterior

Since you’re getting ready to welcome new puppy and are planning to landscape and fence your yard, think about the other parts of the exterior. For example, your gutter system could have a problem you never noticed before, and it would be best to install new leaf guards and do all the renovations before you bring the dog home.

Fixing the cracks on driveways and pathways is another good option because they pose a hazard to pets and children. It also decreases the value of your house, so call ready mix concrete companies to see what you can do to repair those things before moving on with your dog-owning plans.

Consider other exterior aspects of your home, too. Siding cleaning and repair is a good idea because your puppy may bite and claw at sagging paneling or eat the peeling paint. Some people take advantage of the project and include everything else they’ve been putting off, like roof repairs and window replacement.

7. Take Measures to Discourage Digging

A major problem with having a dog outside all the time is that they get bored quickly. Their instincts kick in, and they will try to dig up your perfectly manicured lawn and plants to hide their bones or treats. If you don’t discourage that behavior, you’ll have a destroyed yard faster than you imagined. That’s why all dogs need proper training and boundaries.

They also need attention, especially if they are high-energy breeds. So, take them on walks, tire them out, and play with them in the yard. They probably won’t dig around if they’re being supervised, but part of preparing to welcome new puppy is doing everything to prevent damage in your home.

You can also adopt several excellent methods to stop digging, like burying flat rocks or plastic chicken wire in the soil. Sprinkling cayenne pepper or throwing citrus peels in your garden can also stop them from sticking their nose in the ground. You could even add motion-sensor sprinklers that will scare them off. Thorny plants have been known to work, too, but it’s better to try all the other options first.

8. Set Up a Comfortable Outdoor Kennel or Crate

While some homeowners don’t like the idea of kennels or crates, it’s something you should consider before you welcome new puppy. Building one in a particular area in the yard is like making a home for a pet. It doesn’t have to be a small place; you can build it as grand as you like. A kennel can have a stronger fence than the one around your yard, meaning double security for your dog.

Additionally, adding this spot gives them a new place to potty train and will prevent them from digging, destroying your garden, running away, or eating any dangerous things. You can also stop worrying about supervising them all the time, so pick the perfect location in your yard for the kennel where they won’t get wet or cold.

It’s also another way to teach them discipline and establish a routine because they’ll know when it’s time to play and when it’s time to rest. Some dogs require more attention than others, so researching each breed is essential. When in doubt, you should consult an expert in dog behavior to check if your plans are suitable.

9. Implement a Regular Maintenance Schedule

Although you can arrange everything, repair, and landscape your entire yard, you’ll still need to upkeep it regularly. That’s why all homeowners with plans to welcome new puppy should consider hiring a local home maintenance company. Your contract can focus on just outside maintenance, which is one of the benefits of getting professional work done.

They can also check that the fences and the kennel you’ve installed are all up-to-code and still secure. You’ll need work on your yard, and some maintenance services include that in their packages, but if not, you can also hire landscapers. There’s nothing worse than owners who leave their dogs outside and let the garden turn into a smelly mess.

Everyone can maintain their property’s value intact just by being responsible and hiring the right people. Their dogs will be much happier in a pristine yard where they can play around freely.

10. Add Fun and Interactive Toys

If having a dog only causes headaches and adds to your workload, then it’s better not to get one. However, anyone planning to welcome new puppy should want to enjoy their time with the animal. A large yard will allow you to install fun and interactive toys to tire and distract your pet during the day.

Remember, this animal is not an accessory. It’s a living being that should become part of your family. You should want to keep your dog happy by playing together regularly. Your kids should also join in the fun. The items can stay outside so no one trips on anything on the floor inside your house. Some people buy toys that are also training tools, which always stay in the garden.

Now that you understand how to welcome new puppy by preparing your yard, you only need to pick and choose where you’ll get your pet. Animal shelters have tons of puppies ready to be adopted, but getting a puppy from a licensed and caring breeder is alright, too. You’ll never regret getting this companion for your household or maintaining your garden by hiring the right services.