Before puppy comes home check the locks and catches on sheds or outbuildings where chemicals or other hazardous substances are stored, make sure they can be securely shut or locked and make sure everyone knows to keep them that way. In addition, move any hazardous or potentially hazardous chemicals to high shelves where Puppy cannot reach. In particular make sure that no weed killer, slug pellets, insecticides or fertilisers are accessible and make sure none of these are used in the garden without observing the precautions detailed on their containers for the protection of pets.

Some common garden plants are also partly or wholly poisonous to dogs, laburnum (golden chain) is an example where every part of the tree is poisonous (to people as well as dogs).

Take a walk around your garden and look for any other potential hazards, broken glass, dangerously protruding nails, screws or pieces of wire on fences or outbuildings, unsteady or unsafe garden ornaments or pant containers, remove these or put them all in good order - before Puppy arrives - not after she has had an accident. If children have left toys in the garden enforce the discipline of clearing them away otherwise puppy may damage them or, much worse injure herself on them. Needless to say any junk or rubbish should be cleared away and disposed of safely.

When you are satisfied that your home indoors and out are safe and puppy proof you can start to make specific plans for you puppy's arrival.

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