If you're like most of us who can't resist adorable, cuddly creatures, you'll love National Puppy Day on March 23. This special day brings awareness to orphaned and abandoned puppies that need homes. Before National Puppy Day arrives, our real estate agents encourage you to adopt a puppy that will fill your home with laughter and love.

Puppies grow up to be great family pets, but their curious and playful behavior can be a handful when they're young. To prepare and keep your puppy safe, you should puppy-proof your home before your new puppy arrives.

• Prepare a Place for Your Puppy
  Puppies are curious, full of energy, and love to explore, so they can quickly get into trouble without supervision. When you bring your puppy home, it's best to put him/her in a room or isolated space away from dangerous temptations. Choose a spare room or indoor space without electrical cords on the floor, small tables or lamps that can tip over, and open cluttered closets. Bathrooms work well because of hard-surface floors and fixtures attached to the walls. If you choose a less secure space, you should create a confined area with a dog crate that latches and a comfy dog bed inside.
  
  
• Stock Up on Supplies
  Before you bring your puppy home, make a list of necessary supplies and head to the local pet store to pick up the following items:
  
  
  • Puppy food and treats
  • Food and water bowls
  • Collar and leash
  • Dog bed and soft blanket
  • Crate for sleeping
  • Carrier for transportation
  • Shampoo and brush
  • Puppy pads
  • Safe chew toys
    
    
• Establish Household Rules
  Whether you live alone, with children and pets, or you're planning a move to one of these Klamath homes for sale, it's important to establish some ground rules. To protect your puppy and your home, decide where you're puppy can and can't go inside the house. Establish a daily chore list, so everyone in the household can share in puppy duties and playtime. If you have other dogs or cats in the house, introduce your puppy to them slowly, and make sure you supervise visits until they become familiar. 
  
  
• Secure Your Home and Yard
  Puppies are unaware of indoor and outdoor dangers that can harm them. They may eat and swallow things, chew on furniture, nibble on plants, explore the closets, and escape through open doors and windows. To protect them, treat them like toddlers who need supervision and safe spaces to play.
  
  
• Indoor Safety
  
  
  • Unplug electrical cords and extension cords
  • Keep cleaning supplies and medications in a secured cabinet
  • Close toilet lids and cabinets
  • Close doors and windows
  • Purchase non-toxic houseplants
  • Install baby gates
    
    
• Outdoor Safety
  
  
  • Install a secure fence around the yard
  • Install a fence around pools and hot tubs
  • Maintain your yard and shrubs
  • Remove toxic plants
  • Use safe organic fertilizers, insecticides, and pesticides
  • Keep lids on trash cans
    
    
• Schedule a Visit to the Vet
  If you adopt your puppy from a shelter or rescue organization, they have likely had a basic checkup for flees, worms, and certain illnesses. Within the first few months, schedule a visit with a local vet who can do a thorough checkup, give necessary shots and vaccinations, and address your care and health concerns.

If you're considering a move to Klamath Falls, contact us for information on available properties and prices in desired neighborhoods.