Having a new puppy join your household can change your life. The snuggles and kisses make getting up in the middle of the night for potty breaks worth it, but in the whirlwind of change, it鈥檚 easy to forget some practicalities. For example, should you inform your insurance company about your new dog? Are there things you can do to keep your puppy safer? What about protecting yourself financially if your dog bites someone? Here鈥檚 what you need to know as a dog owner.
A New Puppy and Insurance Coverage
Whether you own your own home or rent, you probably have insurance coverage for the property. And you should definitely let your insurance company know if you have a new puppy because it may change your policy.
First, you want to know if you鈥檙e covered for things like damage caused by your dog. Also, you need to find out if you should add more protection (see dog bite liability below).
Pro tip: while you鈥檙e inquiring about insurance coverage, it鈥檚 worth asking your insurance agent about your vehicle. Are you covered if your pooch chews a hole in the seat (it doesn鈥檛 just happen in the movies) or punctures something with its nails?
Keeping Your Pup Safe
Did you know that Great Dane puppies grow as much in a year as the average human does from birth to high school? While your dog may become practically pony-size very quickly, you still need to protect it while it鈥檚 tiny. Here are some home puppy-proofing tips, so hopefully, you won鈥檛 have to rely on that pet insurance policy:
Remove attractive items like shoes and kids鈥� toys until your dog learns not to chew on human belongings or can reliably respond to 鈥淟eave it!鈥�
Investing in pet gates can protect your puppy from hazards and rooms you want to keep dog-free.
Decide from the start if you want to allow your puppy on the furniture. Once you have a policy, be consistent. It鈥檚 perfectly okay to insist your pup sleeps in its own bed and doesn鈥檛 romp on your sofa.
Keep your pup on a leash, even at places like the dog park, until its recall (coming when you call its name) is trustworthy. Never walk your puppy off leash in places where this is not allowed, even if you think your dog won鈥檛 roam. It can still get into garbage or chase a squirrel into the road.
Seriously consider crate training your puppy. This will give you a safe place to leave your dog in your absence or when you have workers in the house. It鈥檚 also great for calming down an anxious or high-energy dog — bonus points for helping with potty training, as dogs generally won鈥檛 go where they sleep.
Don鈥檛 forget about your yard. It鈥檚 best not to leave very young dogs unsupervised there, even for a minute, but you still need to check for toxic plants, gaps in the fence, and other dangers. Make sure gates shut firmly, and consider posting a sign if people enter your yard for landscaping or playtime with kids. Chasing a loose puppy through your neighborhood (they always seem to get away when you鈥檙e still in your pajamas) isn鈥檛 nearly as fun as it looks!
Find a good vet before you bring your new puppy home or soon thereafter, and they can offer more tips specific to your breed and lifestyle.
The Importance of Dog Bite Liability Coverage
Even the most friendly dog can wind up biting someone if it is scared, or believes it鈥檚 defending its owner or home. And of course, some breeds are more protective than others, particularly as they grow, and larger breeds can inflict serious damage with a bite.
That鈥檚 why every new puppy owner should discuss dog bite liability coverage with their insurance agent. Your current renters insurance and homeowners insurance policies may cover liability up to a certain amount, but dog owners might want to supplement that with a personal umbrella policy.
Do you need to double check your insurance coverage as a new puppy owner? Call 最新糖心Vlog at 800-207-7079 today. We can help ensure you鈥檙e properly protected when it comes to your new four-legged household member.