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. Discuss with your vet and breeder the best way to make the transition to the new home.

Once the big day is confirmed, you might want to ask your breeder if they can place one of your towels or an old piece of clothing with your smell on in with the litter's bedding for a couple of days before collection. That way, when you bring home the towel/clothes 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 this, however. A nest full of competing towels can 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 pups 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. Puppies are like toddlers, into everything and not aware of what is dangerous, so you need to prepare your home to minimise the risks.

A few tips

• All doors and windows should be kept shut.
• Ensure all children’s toys are put out of reach as these can be easily chewed and swallowed.
• Breakable ornaments should be put away in a cabinet: remember, wagging tails can sweep valuable things easily off coffee tables.
• Place all houseplants out of 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 veterinary surgery.
• 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 as small puppies can find a warm dryer a comfortable sleeping place.
• 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 remove any valuable books.
• Place all shoes in cupboards, including slippers which are particularly popular for chewing!
• 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, burning incense or oil burners 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. Make sure the puppy has no access to bins/bin bags as these are easily raided.
• Some foods are toxic to dogs and puppies do tend to eat anything they find, including food dropped by children; be extra careful of chocolate and raisins/grapes, for example.
• 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.
• Socks and underwear are also a cause of problems if swallowed so make sure washing baskets/clothes dryers are not left within reach.
• Ensure your garden is secure if your puppy is to be allowed access unsupervised. Ensure no toxic plants are present and in chewable reach.