If you're about to bring a new puppy home, you'll want to make sure that everything is ready. A warm welcome, a quiet, cosy corner your puppy can settle into, and everything you need to keep the new arrival safe and secure close at hand. It's a big step when puppies leave their mother and littermates, so making the right preparations can help reduce the stress for both of you.

Once the big day is confirmed, you might want to ask your breeder if they can place one of your towels in with the litter's bedding for a couple of days before collection. That way, when you bring home the towel with the puppy, you ensure there's a familiar scent to provide a little comfort amongst all the new sights, smells and sounds of the new home. Not every breeder will be happy to do so, however. A nest full of competing towels can be quickly become confusing - as well as over-crowded.

Learning how to cope with potential hazards is all part of 'growing-up', but you can help protect them from their worst mistakes! The house is full of dangers to a curious puppy, so it will help if you go through your home and look at everything from their perspective.

A few tips

• All doors and windows should be kept shut.
• Breakable ornaments should be put away in a cabinet.
• Place all houseplants out the way and remove any that are poisonous or may cause gastric upsets if chewed. If you're not sure ask for advice in your garden centre.
• Doors to the oven, fridge, microwave, dishwasher, tumble-dryer and washing machine should always be kept closed. Put notes on the doors to remind people to check inside before using them.
• Hide all trailing electrical cables behind furniture. A thick, cable protector (available from hardware stores) can also be placed over the cables, to make them chew-proof.
• Check the lower sections of bookshelves and replace any valuable books with telephone directories, or something you don't mind being a bit chewed.
• Place all shoes in cupboards.
• Remove or shorten hanging tablecloths - puppies are experts in clearing a fully-laid table!
• Don't leave plastic shopping bags lying around. These are a real hazard.
• Lit candles are asking for trouble - extinguish all naked flames and put a guard around any fires.
• Fit child locks on floor level kitchen cupboards, especially if there are cleaning materials inside.
• Keep kitchen countertops clean and clear, so your puppy won't get in the habit of jumping up to inspect them.
• Food scraps must always be cleared away promptly. Chicken bones can be very dangerous, as they splinter when chewed and the string that can be found on joints is also irresistible and potentially deadly.
• Close toilet lids so your puppy won't fall in or learn to drink from the bowl!
• Shorten dangling blind and curtain cords, and keep them secure