Whether your new friend is an adult dog or a puppy, you'll want to make your house as safe a place as possible by following these tips:

• Restrict acces to plants that may be harmful to your dog. Known dangerous plants for dogs are: poinsettas, rhododendrons, azaleas, dumb cane, oleander, English ivy, and Japanese yew.
• Keep household cleaners and chemicals out of the dog's reach.
• Hide or cover electrical cords so the dog can't chew on them.
• Store breakable items safely out of the way.
• Safely store antifreeze, engine oil, lawn chemicals, and laundry detergents.
• Use a cover and/or protectivie fencing if you have a pool or a hot tub.
• Keep kid's toys off the floor, since some parts may be small enough for your dog to swallow.

Once you decide where you want your puppy to sleep, take into consideration which areas of the yard and house are going to be off limits. Resricting freedom of the house and yard will make housetraining a lot easier.

Puppies will chew anything, including your slippers, the siding on your house, etc. Chewing is a normal behavior for a puppy, so encourage chewing on the right things, such as safe toys that will satisfy this need.

Also, make sure to put the kitchen trash in either the garage, behind a cuboard door, or high enough to be out of your dog's reach.

You are the "parent" of your new puppy or dog, so it is your job to help him get use to his surroundings. To help your animal adjust, you'll need to:

• Bring him home when it's quiet and you don't have company over. Try to choose a time when your routine is normal.
• Show him the area of the yard that will be his bathroom before you bring him inside. Then take him there whenever he goes outside.
• Give your dog his own room where you can keep his crate (complete with chew toys and bedding) and leave the crate door open. Your puppy will consider this his "den" and will feel safe in it. You may want to put down newspaper to prepare for any accidents.
• Supervise your puppy at all times, and make sure to play with him several times a day. This is the way you will establish yourself as the pack leader.
• Give him bathroom breaks every few hours, as well as right after eating, drinking, sleeping, or playing. Watch your dog for signals that he needs to go outside, such as sniffing or circling. Never punish your dog for accidents in the house, instead praise him when he goes in the correct spot outside. Positive reinforcement always works best.