I've done a quick look though but couldn't seem to find anything, so I hope I am not repeating anything here.  

Well I am getting my home ready for our new puppy. While I was cleaning and taping back wires I stepped on my sons Lego >.< I have 3 children ages 11,9 and 4.
So after I stepped on the Lego piece it got me thinking, I know I need to get down and look around the house from the puppies eye level to make sure nothing that could harm him is in reach, but how do I get the kids to keep their stuff picked up? I know with my son its going to be hard since he is only 4. I just don't want the puppy to find it and eat it.

So far I have been saying "Wyatt pick up your toys or the puppy is going to eat it."
He gives me a look :o and says "OH Nooo." Then runs around picking his toys up and putting them in his room. Yet I still end up finding small things around the house while I am cleaning. (My son like playing in the living room cause then he is closer to the rest of the family and his room is on the small side.)

So my question is, How do you get children ready for a puppy and what else do I need to do to puppy proof the house?

Btw I am not getting a puppy for the kids I am getting him cause I want him.
I am the one going to be taking care of all my puppies needs not the kids.

Our puppy will be able to come home in about 9 weeks I myself am so excited and can't wait the kids are excited as well He will be our first and only puppy. (well for now hehehe)  

well, can he play with bigger toys? if that helps? i never worried about wires, couse she never touched them, and i never really thought about them Or maybe he can play legos in his room, and play with soft mushy ones near the pup. btw, that's a long time, before the puppy comes in when i get my own house, i want 2-3 huskies, couse they are so awesome and my mom doesn't let my dog do much stuff in house. she can't go on bed, sofa, or be alone in the house. well, my house - my rules. I wish that when i grow up, i would still want a dog, like you. but i think Mėta is gonna be alive when i grow up

Thanks, and yes he can play in his room with his lego, its just he likes being around my hubby and I all the time. I think I might have figured out how to deal with the lego thing anyway. I am going to start only letting him play with it at the table, and see how that gose I honestly think he is still to young for it but his father thinks otherwise... anyway Thank you for your ideas. Meta is very beautiful btw. Also dont rush growing up its not all it cracked up to be. Lol.

I have an almost three year old and a seven year old, so we get deal with this too. My rule is no toys while in the same room with Luci. TV/electronics are okay, but dolls, puzzles, etc are a no-no. I have the hallway leading to the kids' bedrooms gated so that Luci can't go in there at all. My seven year old's room is particularly disastrous. lol. I also have the den gated off, and they can play in there or watch the little tv while hubby is using his computer as long as toys make it back to their rooms once they're finished playing with them. Luci is bad about counter surfing, so nothing may be left on counters either. Bathroom doors stay shut (she eats toilet paper and thinks rubber ducks are prey). Luci is crated when they're eating/snacking. Honestly, I have to constantly keep an eye on things, and even then things happen. The other day she threw up a hair scrunchie that I didn't even know was 'missing'. That could have ended very badly, since I didn't even know she had eaten it. It's not fun always having to be vigilant, but the joys of having my kids grow up with a dog is totally worth it.

I had puppies with toddler. Your child will learn fast. Then we got Loki and the teenager has once again learned to pick things up. In addition to small things, keep close eye on things with batteries and magnets. Those are very dangerous. After a few prized toys are chewed on, your 4 year old will learn.

Eresh wrote:

I have an almost three year old and a seven year old, so we get deal with this too. My rule is no toys while in the same room with Luci. TV/electronics are okay, but dolls, puzzles, etc are a no-no.  I have the hallway leading to the kids' bedrooms gated so that Luci can't go in there at all. My seven year old's room is particularly disastrous. lol.  I also have the den gated off, and they can play in there or watch the little tv while hubby is using his computer as long as toys make it back to their rooms once they're finished playing with them. Luci is bad about counter surfing, so nothing may be left on counters either. Bathroom doors stay shut (she eats toilet paper and thinks rubber ducks are prey). Luci is crated when they're eating/snacking. Honestly, I have to constantly keep an eye on things, and even then things happen. The other day she threw up a hair scrunchie that I didn't even know was 'missing'. That could have ended very badly, since I didn't even know she had eaten it.   It's not fun always having to be vigilant, but the joys of having my kids grow up with a dog is totally worth it.  

I was thinking of doing the gate thing myself not just so Luka can't get into the kids rooms, but so he cant get to baby's(our cat) litter box. I was just worried he would jump over it when he gets older and bigger. I was going to gate off the whole hallway down that end of the house. And Thank you its nice to know what others do to fix this issue with their own Children. My daughters share a room and its always a disaster area. Hoping it gets better as they get older... meh they keep their door closed. So I don't have to see it.  

Quote :

I had puppies with toddler. Your child will learn fast. Then we got Loki and the teenager has once again learned to pick things up. In addition to small things, keep close eye on things with batteries and magnets. Those are very dangerous. After a few prized toys are chewed on, your 4 year old will learn.

Thanks, I keep reminding him and he picks them up. Would putting the puppy in his crate for around half hour to an hour be mean, so my son could play with his Lego/Play-doh and clean it up before we let him out? I know his crate is like in den or bedroom. Its just an idea my mother had since I get my girls to wait till my lil man is in bed to play with their beads and stuff.. kinda the same thing right?????

I have a gate for my pup. He stays in our alcove gated in when we're gone. He jumped the gate once around 5 months ago. He either doesn't remember he can or doesn't want to because he hasn't done it since.

In terms of crating him to let your son play, I think that's a great idea. You and you puppy will need breaks and it's a great opportunity to work on crate training.

I do not think it is bad. We will put up baby gates or use crate when we need to block Loki from something.

Gates and doors will become your new best friends! I am the same as Samantha and I don't even have children. The bathroom door is always shut and we have gates to the two bedrooms that we have and mine aren't even allowed unattended unless someone is home. You will have to buy the extra tall gates and that will help with the jumping. You all will learn quick about what you can and cannot leave around so it sounds like you are preparing great, but your husky will think of things that you can't even imagine, so a lot is trial and error. We have had to baby proof the trash can and the cabinets because Siku learned to open them. You just kind of will learn as you go, because you never know what your dog will be like. I say keep the childrens toys their bedrooms, and don't let the husky in there unless everything is picked up, and just have your son bring out one thing at a time when he wants to be in the living room. I would put a table in the corner that he can sit at and teach the puppy that he cannot jump on that and that might help with your situation.

Its not mean at all to crate him at the times that your son wants to come out and play and not be bothered. If you stay at home with your children thats a great time to work on crate training like Jen said, because it gets them used to it.

Thank you everyone. I'm doing everything i can and I think the hubby is getting sick of me talking about the puppy. lol I am the one that the most excited, I am like a new mom waiting for her baby to come lol. or a child waiting for Christmas. lmao Kids are excited but I don't think as much as I am and the poor breeder must be sick of me asking all different type of questions. I've never owned a dog of my own before so this is a new thing for me and I have been doing all the research I can tho asking people is better then reading a book. I even found a vet already. Anyway, Thank you all again for your idea's and telling me what you do in your homes with your own Huskies.

oh, I forgot to mention that we're getting a new addition in one week. We can compare notes of Things I Never Thought Puppy Would Get In To.

Ha ha. They are creative little buggers, that's for sure!

Haha that's awesome and congrats on your new furbaby.

HEY EVERYONE MY FURBABY LUKA WAS BORN TODAY!!!!!

Our puppy Toby is 10 weeks, I prepared for the worst, but was very surprised how well he is settling in.

I have a standard baby gate at present, i agree this won't be for long.
Here in the UK, there are extra tall gates available, I'm sure you will be able to get one in the US.

I also crate Toby when I'm out of the room and at night.
As you know you will have to watch him like a hawk for all sorts of things, it's a good idea training the kids first to keep toys in their rooms.

The other option is to get your 4yr old to play on a table with the lego at a time you can watch them both, so if any gets dropped you can get it first. It will help the pup become part of the family and you can start teaching good manners like not jumping up. Your son will then realise he needs to be careful not to drop lego with the new addition around.

I keep Toby in our main room until he can be trusted in others, he is never on his own other than overnight or when he is asleep and locked in the crate. It's our cats I don't trust (they'd love to eat him   )
I worried about everything beforehand (ans still do most of the time   ) but as much as you need to protect him you need to enjoy the early days.

I think you are going to be an exceptional family for your puppy, you seem very prepared.
Good luck x

Awe Thank you clairedcat, I am excited.   8-9 more weeks YAY!! btw I live in Canada,   I am sure we can find them here as well