How to Dog Proof your House
Congrats on getting a new puppy! Now it's time to puppy proof your home. As the owner of a new puppy (or soon-to-be owner), you'll begin preparing for your new pet by finding a veterinarian and buying all the essentials.
After you've chosen a cute collar and gotten the name tag engraved, it's time to get down to business by puppy-proofing your home.
A puppy is just like a child. They can end up in the strangest places, especially places they shouldn't.
Because puppies like to explore the world through their noses and mouths, every item around them can pose a health risk. It would be bad if they chewed on the wrong things!
If you are bringing a new puppy home, take precautions to protect your puppy from injury. Usually, puppies are very curious, and they can get themselves into trouble in no time.
Take a look at our puppy checklist before bringing home a puppy to ensure your environment is as safe as possible.
Here are 14 steps you can take to dog proof your house to keep your puppy safe:
1. Puppy Proofing Hacks: Getting to Know Your Puppy
Are you getting a new puppy in a few days?
Before your new best friend arrives, you’ll need to safety-proof your home.
While dog-proofing can be a tedious, time-consuming, and expensive process, it’s all worth it to keep your furry friends safe.
- A good way to determine what changes need to be made is to get a pup's perspective by crawling around on all fours.
- Check for things a puppy could chew on or become tangled in, as well as small spaces he could squeeze through, and eliminate the risk of an accident.
2. Puppy Proof A Room: Keep Any Food Out Of Reach
Because of their natural food-motivation, dogs, cats, and other pets may try to eat food left on the dining table, counters, or any other surface that is within their reach.
Do not give your furry babies access to spicy seasonings in human food.
- Remember, even if the menu is not really dangerous for them, it is not a good idea to have them eat table food.
- Clear the table and counters every time you eat, or simply ban the animals from the dining area.
3. Hide Medicines and Supplements
The puppy-safe zone must be a drug-free zone.
Every year, human medication is the leading cause of dog poisoning, so make sure everything is safely stored in drawers and cabinets.
- Supplements, vitamins, and other medications should not be left on countertops and side tables.
- Dog medications should be stored separately from your own.
4. Get Rid of Poisonous Houseplants
Are you a fan of collecting houseplants? Look at your collection of houseplants before bringing home your new pet.
They may appear harmless, but they can cause health issues, from mild skin irritation to upset stomachs to death, if your pet eats them.
- The most popular houseplants that are poisonous to dogs and other animals include sago palms, aloe vera, caladiums, and pothos.
5. Pay Attention to Small Everyday Items
These items can cause problems when swallowed or chewed by our pets, such as coins, paper clips, rubber bands, buttons, and batteries.
- Even the smallest objects can be hazardous.
Make sure that you keep all of your painting materials in a safe place after work hours if you enjoy painting or working on paper crafts.
6. Eliminate Toxic Substances
Most households have toxic chemicals that need to be kept away from pets.
Things ranging from glue and detergents to household cleaners and automotive chemicals are all toxic for dogs.
- You should use extra caution when dealing with poisons like antifreeze and rat poison.
7. How to Puppy Proof Wires
Protect your new pet from burns and shocks caused by electrical cords. Make sure the cords are covered. Hide these cords as best as you can!
- Consider using deterrent sprays on power cables, chargers, and electric cords.
Many pet parents supervise their pets all the time when they are not in a pen or cage.
Make sure your puppy has lots of chew toys to keep her occupied if she loves chewing.
8. Not All Dogs Can Swim
It's true, not all dogs can swim!
- A potential drowning hazard is a swimming pool, toilet, bathtub, or sink.
Despite their love of water, golden retrievers should not be left alone by themselves near any body of water.
- Also, do not let your pet drink from unattended water containers. This is how dogs come down with Giardia.
Those items may contain parasites, chemicals, and other harmful elements that you don't want her to consume.
9. Give Your Puppy Their Own Safe Space
It's great to spend time with our dogs, but they also need their own space.
To provide them with their own safe space in your home, choose the most comfortable spot for them to rest and sleep.
- It can be a pen, a crate, or a fluffy spot in the corner of your room.
- Pets, especially dogs, are very curious by nature. It is important for you to set boundaries for your pet.
- It is important to keep your dogs from getting into areas you don't want them to go in if you live in a small space.
10. Garbage Cans and Compost Piles
Any food that is dangerous for dogs continues to pose a threat even after it is thrown away.
When it becomes moldy, it becomes even more dangerous. Cats aren't known to rummage through trash cans, but dogs and other pets will.
- A trash can that prevents pets from knocking over and looting is worth the investment.
Before adopting a dog, think about how much work will be involved in making your space safe for them.
- If you don’t want any hassles when picking out new furniture or redecorating in the future, take these precautions now so that there are no surprises later on!
11. Batteries and Remote Controls Are Not Safe
I strongly recommended that you pick up all remote controls, electronic toys, and key fobs that contain batteries and keep them out of reach.
Besides chewing and swallowing small parts, swallowed batteries are even more dangerous because they can cause burns inside your pet's esophagus as they travel down. This is especially true for disc batteries.
12. Set Limits To Puppy-Proof
Curious by nature, your puppy will explore as much as possible and test their limits.
- Secure your puppy with baby gates or pens and close doors to prevent them from getting into (or out of) areas they shouldn't be.
13. Watch Your Puppy Near Heights
Because puppies are clumsy and have fragile bones, they are at risk of injury if they fall or attempt to jump while seated on the couch or in a child's arms.
You should keep your puppy off, tall furniture and have young children sit when holding it until the puppy becomes less fragile and more coordinated.
14. Watch Your Bags
If you have a purse, backpack, gym bag, or diaper bag, you likely have one if few items that pose a threat to your new pup.
As xylitol finds its way into more and more products, such as sugar-free gum, hand cream, etc., poisoning is becoming more common.
- Check out the list of 700+ xylitol-containing products here.
In order to prevent accidental pet poisoning, store bags inside closed closets or on sturdy hooks that are high and out of reach.
- Do not let your visitors or family members off the hook either.
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