We just got a new addition at home! No, it's not an extra bedroom or a larger living room, but it is the most adorable puppy who has helped our home grow overnight and believe me, she is quickly driving us to change.

Abby is a seven week old Springer Spaniel. She is full of energy and curiosity. And even though she is no bigger than my husband's work boot, she manages to be much quicker than any of us, when it comes to something she spots across the room, which possibly resembles the perfect chew toy to her. She also loves to chase things, run after anyone going through a doorway, along with jump, climb and bark at everything in sight.

She is exactly what we were hoping for - the perfect addition to our life and household. But wait... was that my favorite slipper she just chewed up? Oh yes, that's right, she is a baby and babies want to get into everything they aren't supposed to. So we have quickly been reminded of all the ways you have to puppy-proof your home when welcoming that young, new addition.

Besides all the expected puppy needs like food bowls, a leash, toys, doggy bed and maybe even a cute outfit (if you're into that kind of thing, lol), there are other items which can easily be forgotten until it's too late.

Doggy doors, baby/doggy gates, non-slip stairs, a fenced yard, possibly a food bowl shelf, a kennel (to fit the size of your dog when grown) or maybe even a outdoor dog house if your new pup loves to be outside. There's also that dilemma of where to put all the things which suddenly need to be moved out of her reach (Me: "babe, now we need a shoe shelf too.")

Lucky for me, my husband is a handyman and he was quickly able to sort all these things out for me - installing, revising, building and moving, in order to puppy-proof our home in a matter of a day. But not everyone has the luxury of having a handyman at their beck and call. Therefore, remember that Repairs & Renovations is here not only for your leaky pipes, chipping paint and doors that stick. We are also happy to help with any new additions you might have land in your lap suddenly like we did!

We build custom pet homes, install wall shelves for cats, doggy doors, baby gates, repair and install fencing and can build about any custom item you might need.