There is always a lot of talk about kid proofing you house when the little ones are beginning to crawl and walk, but the same kind of work has to be put into proofing your house for a puppy or young dog.

Destructive chewing and eating things they shouldn't is a way of life for puppies and young dogs. They will eat potted plants (real and artificial), kids toys, socks, shoes, paper, basically anything that isn't nailed down and they will chew on the stuff that IS nailed down. Some of the sporting breeds will clear a coffee table with one sweep of their tail and then eat or chew what they have knocked on the floor. This is a constant problem and one I hear lots about.

Make life easier on you and your family. Proof your home by keeping everything out of the dogs reach, keep doors closed to bedrooms and bathrooms. Limit their roaming room until they reach mental maturity, and use your crate when you are not at home or sleeping. Early training (once the puppy vaccines are complete) will give you and the puppy skills that will protect your belongings and protect the puppy from having to have something surgically removed.