• Make sure all poisonous household items are securely stored out of reach
  Put household cleaners, laundry detergents, bleach, disinfectants, insecticides, cleaning fluid, fertilizers, mothballs, antifreeze, insect poisons, rat poisons and other hazardous items in latched or locked cabinets or on high shelves. Read more about Home Safety.

• Check your plants
  Many plants in and around your house can be harmful to your dog if ingested. Read more about Poisonous Plants.

• Look at your house from your dog's point of view
  Get down on all fours and look around. Move or remove dangling electric cords and other entangling objects such as curtain pulls, loose nails, plastic bags and other tempting objects that will be in reach.

• Pick up buttons, string, sewing needles, pins and other sharp objects, and anything small enough to swallow
  If your dog swallows any of these objects, they may cause damage to his mouth and internal organs.

• Keep your toilet lid down
  Dogs are often tempted to play in or drink toilet bowl water. This habit can be very hard to break. It’s unsanitary and toilet cleanser may be harmful if swallowed.

• Unplug, remove or cover any electrical cords in your dog’s confinement area
  Chewing on these cords can cause mouth burns, electrocution and fires.

• Close off balconies, upper porches and high decks
  Puppies in particular are so little that they can slip through openings and fall.

• Buy a book on dog care
  Place a handy reference guide on a shelf in your bedroom, den or kitchen. You never know when you'll need a quick answer.
  
• Be mindful of access to your cat’s litter box
  If you own a cat, be mindful to your dog’s access to your cat’s litter box.
  
• Take care to protect your valuables until your dog is properly trained
  Any valuables that could be ruined, such as antique rugs, should be stored away until your dog is properly trained.  Children should also be educated about leaving their toys and valuables in places where they could be a temptation to your dog. Finally, decide which parts of your home are off limits to the dog and make sure everyone in the family knows so that this area is always kept closed off to your dog.
  
• Be mindful of ways your dog can ‘escape’
  If you have a fenced yard, you should always check if gates are closed or if there are vulnerable gaps at the base where a dog could wiggle his way out.

In the last few days before arrival, give your house a good cleaning and remove breakable items from areas where your dog will be. Also, spend some time preparing yourself and your family. Small children need to know how to act around puppies and dogs.