When a new puppy comes into the household, it’s a time to be excited!

And, as a new pet owner, you want to make everything perfect for his arrival. It’s important to remember that a puppy is just like having a curious toddler. There is no nook or cranny he won’t get into, and will find plenty of interesting items that look tasty to chew on. We want to help you get your home in puppy safe condition. Here are eight tips that’ll make your puppy feel right at home.

Get down to a puppy’s level.

That means getting on your hands and knees to give you a puppy’s eye view as to everything he has access to. Anything that’s lying on the floor is a potential meal. Is there furniture he can jump onto or electrical cords that could be chewed on? If you have access to it on all fours, it means your puppy will, too, so pick it up, move it or get rid of it.

Puppies only.

A small puppy-safe area will help your new addition feel comfortable in his surroundings and keep him away from potential dangers. Close doors to rooms that are off limits, put up baby gates at stairwells and shut windows that your puppy could squeeze out of to get outside.

Plug up your plugs.

Electrical plugs look interesting to any puppy, so you’re going to have to protect your puppy against the danger of electric shock. Use child-proof plugs in empty electrical sockets, get rid of frayed electrical cords, and unplug all small appliances when you’re not using them.

Lock up poisons.

Household items such as laundry detergent and chemical cleaner need to be kept away in a safe and high cabinet. They should be stored in a secured in a cabinet with a latch so curious puppies can’t sneak a taste.

Water hazards.

Full sinks, bathtubs, and toilets with open lids can be a drowning hazard. And always lower the lid on your toilet—your puppy may see the toilet as a big drinking bowl. Automatic toilet bowl cleaners can make your puppy sick. Outside, pools need to be protected by a fence or secured by a gate, so your puppy can’t jump in unattended.

Fenced in.

If you have a backyard, your puppy will spend a lot of time in that area. You need to check if your fenced-in yard to see if there are any weak spots in it. It doesn’t take much for a puppy to squeeze out the gate or dig her way underneath it for a sneaky escape.

Trashcan storage.

It may smell gross to you, but your puppy will think it’s delicious! A persistent puppy will do whatever it takes to bring that can down, even if it’s bigger than him. Not only will you have a huge mess on your hands, but your puppy may eat something that will make him sick. Keep garbage in the garage or in a cabinet that has a child proof latch on it.

Outdoor supply storage.

Even if they’re kept in the garage, outdoor supplies need to be locked up. Antifreeze can be fatal, so clean up spills and lock up bottles. Garden fertilizers are dangerous to dogs too, so put them somewhere your puppy won’t be able to get at them. And when you’re leaving the garage, close the door behind you so your puppy doesn’t follow you out.