Reprinted from American Kennel Gazette, August 1989, written by Julie K. Elliott for the Lhasa Apso Breed Column.

Part of preparing your puppy for a well-trained well-socialized adult life is keeping it safe from hazards while it is still young and vulnerable. As soon as your puppy is old enough to start exploring its environment, it's old enough to get into trouble. Here are 10 tips to help you make sure your new puppy's inquisitive nature doesn't get it into any real trouble.

1) Small objects can choke curious animals. Be sure your floor is clean, and check it at least once a day to make sure it is free of items a vacuum cleaner might miss: pieces of children's toys, hairpins, rubber bands, paperclips, dental floss, etc.

2) Electric wires can mean instant death to a puppy that exercises his natural chewing instinct. Unplug anything that you're not planning to use--like old radios--and put them out of the pup's reach. Tape the wires of necessary appliances to the wall or buy a commercial pet repellent (Bitter Apple) and spray that around the dangerous area.

3) Garbage cans are another source of potential danger. Most dogs love to root through the contents. Make sure the lids are tight and that they don't come off if the container is tipped over. (Or put your garbage bins up on a counter.)

4) If you keep detergents or bleach under the sink, place a piece of wood between the handles to "lock" the cabinet. Don't place insect (or rodent) poisons where your dog can get at them. If a poison container isn't childproof, it's not dog proof.

5) Keep toilet lids closed. Some people think it's cute to see a dog drink out of the toilet. It is definitely not healthy, and it is not cute when the pup falls in, gets his head stuck, or consumes a poisonous toilet bowl cleaner.

6) Check your yard and gate to make sure your little puppy can't get out. Enterprising puppies can dig their way to freedom in a matter of minutes, so watch for signs of loose dirt around the fence.

7) If you want to protect your home as well as your pet, remember that housebreaking takes time. You can train a puppy within a few days or weeks if you are consistent, but excited or nervous pups are still apt to have "accidents" for months afterwards. If you leave your pup alone for any length of time, you are liable to come home to a stained carpet and heaven knows what else. Would you leave a toddler alone? Confine the puppy to a small area, or better yet, a crate.

8) Teething is something all puppies have to go through. If you don't want your puppy chewing on your furniture, buy something safe for the pup to chew. Nylabones are wonderful

and they won't splinter. Some puppies like to chew even when they're adults, and a lonely or bored dog will gnaw on just about anything, including his own feet or coat.

9) Provide plenty of play toys: rubber balls (large enough so they won't become lodged in the pup's throat, yet small enough for him to carry around in his mouth), old socks tied in knots, latex squeaky toys (watch the squeakers; they come loose easily.)

10) Before bringing your new dog home, select a veterinarian and set up an appointment. A new puppy will need a series of shots, and a grown dog also needs regular, thorough checkups. Both your breeder and veterinarian can assist your with feeding advice and can give you tips on general care.

Your new puppy will bring you a lot of happiness throughout the years. One of the best ways of giving him happiness in return is by making sure your home is safe before adding this new, very special family member.