A New Puppy Is Coming Home.

Are you ready? A practical guide to keeping your newest family member safe.

There is nothing quite like the arrival of a new puppy. The excitement, the tiny paws, the absolute chaos of having a small, curious creature explore every corner of your home at warp speed. But before that little one arrives, it pays to take a good look at your world through their eyes because puppies see the world with their mouths, and everything is fair game!

We have put together this guide for all new puppy parents and as a timely reminder even for the most experienced dog owners among us.

A real-life reminder

One of our wonderful clients, a very experienced dog owner who knows her stuff recently welcomed a new puppy into her home. Despite her years of experience, in one unguarded moment her pup got hold of her human medication and ate the tablets. Thanks to her fast thinking and a swift trip to the vet, her pup is completely fine and back to causing the usual adorable mayhem. But it was a sharp reminder: accidents happen in the blink of an eye. No one is immune, and puppies are lightning fast.

The golden rule

Puppies explore everything with their mouths. If it is on the ground, on a low table, or within reach of a determined little snout assume it will end up in their mouth. Puppy-proofing is not a one-time task; it is an ongoing habit.

Human medications: the most urgent hazard

This one cannot be stressed enough. Common prescribed and over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, paracetamol, antihistamines, and antidepressants, sleeping tablets are extremely toxic to dogs even in small doses. Keep all medications in a closed cabinet, well out of reach. Never leave tablets on a bedside table, kitchen counter, or in a bag on the floor. Handbags are a particular hazard puppies love to rummage, and a handbag left on the ground is an open invitation.

Toxic foods in your kitchen

Many foods we enjoy every day are dangerous and sometimes fatal to dogs. Keep these well out of reach at all times:

Absolute no's

• Chocolate

• Grapes & raisins

• Xylitol (sweetener)

• Onions & garlic

• Macadamia nuts

• Avocado & avo pips

Also dangerous

• Alcohol

• Caffeine

• Raw dough / yeast

• Cooked bones

• Fruit pips & stones

Watch the counters

• Bin lids secured

• No food left low

• Compost out of reach

• No unattended plates

Corn cobs deserve a mention of their own. They are extremely dangerous and one of the most common causes of life-threatening intestinal obstructions in dogs. Unlike most food items, corn cob does not digest it gets lodged in the gut and almost always requires emergency surgery to remove. Never give your dog a corn cob to chew, and ensure they cannot access the bin or compost where cobs may be discarded.

Toxic plants in the garden

Unfortunately most of our gardens are full of plants that can harm dogs. Some of the most common offenders include:

• Oleander

• Sago Palm/cycad - their seeds are extremely toxic

• Lantana

• Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow

• Wild Garlic

Also watch out for

• Aloe vera

• Daffodil bulbs

• Morning Glory

• Chrysanthemum

• Autumn Crocus

Good practice

• Fence off garden beds

• Supervise outdoor time

• Remove fallen fruit

• watch for mushroom growth, especially after rain.

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Household products - keep them locked away

Cleaning products, pesticides, pool chemicals, fertilisers, and even some essential oils can be highly toxic to puppies. A puppy does not need to ingest a large amount to become seriously ill. Secure all of the following in closed cupboards or high shelves:

Bleach, dishwasher tablets, fabric softener, rat poison, slug pellets, pool chlorine and acid, weed killer, car products (antifreeze especially as it has a sweet taste that attracts dogs), paint, and turpentine.

Tip: Child-proof locks on under-sink cupboards are an easy and affordable fix and they work just as well for determined puppies.

Swimming pools - a hidden danger

Swimming pools are one of the most serious hazards for a new puppy. Even puppies that can swim can panic, struggle to find the steps, and exhaust themselves trying to get out. Always supervise your puppy near any body of water. Consider a pool net or a pool safety fence until your pup has learned where the steps are. Teach your puppy how to exit the pool from day one, repetition and reward make it stick. Never leave a puppy unattended near the pool, even for a moment.

Driveways

Puppies are small, fast, and low to the ground the perfect combination to be missed by a reversing vehicle. Always know where your puppy is before moving any vehicle. Your puppy should not have access to the driveway. A secured gate between the driveway and the garden is essential. Make it a house rule: before anyone reverses out of the driveway, check for the puppy. Every single time.

Fitting a collar safely and when to take it off

Your puppy's collar is their ID tag and their lifeline if they ever get lost but a poorly fitted collar can cause injury and even death. The two-finger rule is the gold standard: you should be able to slip exactly two fingers snugly between the collar and your puppy's neck. Any tighter and it can restrict breathing or cause chafing; any looser and it can catch on something (a potential choking hazard) or slip off entirely. Check the fit regularly puppies grow fast.

Remove your puppy's collar when they are at home and not being actively supervised. This is important: collars can snag on furniture legs, crate bars, garden fencing, and all manner of household objects and once caught, a puppy can panic and injure themselves, or worse. If you prefer your puppy to wear a collar at all times, invest in a safety-release (breakaway) collar. These are designed to snap open under pressure, releasing your pup if the collar becomes caught.

Tip: Have your puppy microchipped as soon as possible and register their details. A collar can fall off or be removed; a microchip cannot. Microchipping means your pup can always find their way back to you.

Keep things off the ground

Shoes, socks, children's toys, TV remotes, electrical cables, earphones, hair ties, coins, sharp objects, and jewellery, all of it is a hazard. Beyond the chewing damage (which is very real), the danger is ingestion. Swallowed objects can cause choking, intestinal blockages, and internal injuries that require emergency surgery.

Remote controls deserve a special mention. They contain small button batteries which, if swallowed, can cause severe internal burns within hours and are a medical emergency. Keep remotes on shelves or out of reach, and if your remote is chewed and a battery appears to be missing, go straight to your vet, do not wait for symptoms.

Cable management is equally important. Puppies chew through cables and can receive a serious electric shock. Use cable covers, run cables high, and block access to areas with exposed wiring where possible.

Tip: Get into the habit of treating your floor like a puppy might explore it at any second because they will. A quick scan before leaving a room is all it takes to prevent a costly trip to the vet.

Vaccinations, flea & tick control, and deworming

Keeping your puppy physically safe from hazards in the home is only part of the picture. Protecting them from disease and parasites is just as vital, and getting the schedule right from the start sets your puppy up for a long and healthy life.

Vaccinations and socialisation

Puppies receive a series of core vaccinations starting from around 6–8 weeks of age, with boosters every 3–4 weeks. These protect against distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, and more. Annual boosters are required throughout adulthood. Until your puppy's vaccination course is complete, avoid contact with unvaccinated dogs and public spaces where dogs congregate.

Early socialisation is also crucial during puppyhood, but it should take place in a safe, controlled environment such as a reputable puppy school or doggy daycare. These environments are carefully managed, meaning the other dogs are vaccinated, monitored, and appropriately matched.

Avoid taking your puppy to places where unknown dogs can run up to them. You do not know whether those dogs are comfortable around puppies, and negative interactions can potentially result in bullying, fear, or even injury. A bad experience under the age of 6 months can be extremely detrimental to a puppy’s emotional wellbeing, as this is a critical imprinting period that shapes how they view the world.

Contact David Middleton at Puppy Power tel: +27 76 310 2257 for early socialisation support (from their first vaccine). Hackett Hounds & Cats tel: +27 76 200 4115 we can assist with structured daycare socialisation once your puppy is ready ie: two weeks post their 2nd vaccination.

Flea & tick control

We have the ideal climate which means fleas and ticks are a year-round concern. Start a flea and tick prevention programme from as early as your vet recommends many products are safe from 8 weeks and 2kg. Ticks in particular can transmit biliary (tick bite fever), which can be fatal in dogs if not treated promptly. Check your puppy after every outdoor adventure.

Deworming

Most puppies are born with worms passed from their mother. Deworming should begin at 2 weeks of age and be repeated every 2 weeks until 12 weeks, then monthly until 6 months, and every 3 months for life thereafter. Your vet or ourselves can guide you on the right product for your puppy's age and weight. Never skip this step, worms affect growth, coat condition, and overall health.

Build a relationship with your vet from day one. A good vet is your puppy's best health advocate schedule a new puppy check-up within the first week of bringing them home, even if they have already had their first vaccinations.

Welcoming a puppy into your home is a wonderful experience. With a bit of preparation and awareness of potential hazards, you can focus more on cherishing every moment with your new furry friend, from their puppy breath to their tiny paws. If you have any questions, we're always here to help. Wishing you joyful puppy parenting from everyone at Hackett Hounds & Cats.