Moving into a new house is a big moment. After years of living in a place that was “just enough,” you finally have the space and permission to do what you want with your home. And after you unpack, hang pictures and explore your new neighbourhood, it’s normal to feel as though you’d like something else. Perhaps you’re still missing that “home” feeling, or maybe you’re just ready to take on the responsibility of caring for someone else. A new baby might be too much, but a pet can be just the right amount of change.

Dogs are always a popular option when it comes time to choosing a pet. The unconditional love they provide is hard to beat, and there are so many breeds to choose from that you should have no trouble finding a dog that’s perfect for your home and lifestyle.

However, even though you’ll surely love you’re new dog, it’s not all fun and games, especially when you’re just moving into a new home. Here are five ways to make sure this transitions works for everyone:

1. Safety First

Consider this a good chance to practice childproofing, in the event you do one day have a kid.   Before bringing the puppy home, go through each room and identify any potential danger areas, and make sure to deal with them. Put cords out of reach or in chew proof tubing, and secure any doors or cupboards that could be within reach. And make sure you block off areas where you don’t want the dog to go.

2. Chew Proof Your Home

Puppies love to chew anything they can get their paws on. And if it smells like you, they’ll go even crazier. Whether it’s your Prada heels, your TV remote or your chair legs, they will chew it. As a result, you need to change some of your habits to make sure all your belongings don’t get damaged and your puppy stays safe. There’s a few things you can do, such as:

• Keep lids on rubbish bins
• Put scraps of carpet around chair legs and furniture
• Place chew toys around the house as distractions
• Put bins near the door for shoes so that the dog stays away

3. Choke and Swallow Proof, Too

If dogs chew everything, then it stands that they’ll try and swallow them, too. And since young puppies often chew things without thinking, this can become a very dangerous habit. Make sure you keep the house clean so that there’s nothing dangerous within reach, and you may even want to invest in pet insurance. Stomach pumping can be very expensive and it’s very common for young dogs. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

4. Toilet Training

For toilet training to be successful, it’s important you start as soon as the dog comes home with you. Identify an area in the garden where you want them to go, and then establish a routine for them to get used to. Never rub their nose when they make a mess, and always reward them when they go outside with both praise and, of course, treats.

5. Dog Vibes

Dogs can quickly take over your home if you’re not prepared. Their hair gets everywhere and they can destroy furniture. Consider placing protective carpets over the furniture, get bins for dog toys, wash soft toys and blankets regularly and make sure they have a spot to go to the bathroom. Remember, dogs are still animals, even though sometimes it doesn’t seem like it. But if you keep this in mind, you’ll find it rather easy to adapt to having a furry friend in your home.