Pet’s Nanny,
If you’re thinking about getting a puppy, one of the first things you’ll want to do is puppy proof your home.
Puppies are quite inquisitive. Like babies, they will explore the world around them by chewing on it, which is why it’s important to puppy proof your home.
Puppy proof for safety
- To prepare for your new furry family member, get down on their level and check for hazards to your puppy’s health. For example, look under furniture to find small items a puppy could choke on.
- Electrical cords where a puppy can reach are bound to be chewed. This is a serious hazard because your puppy can be shocked and possibly even killed. It’s a good idea to tape the cords to the floor or tie them up to keep them out of your puppy’s reach.
Puppy proof to prevent damage
- Obviously you’ll need to put away (or out of reach) any items you don’t want destroyed. Puppies are just trying to learn about the world around them. Plus they chew on things to alleviate the pain from teething, much like a baby does.
- It’s also a good idea to provide your puppy with toys and chews, but don’t be surprised if they still chew on things they shouldn’t. With proper training, you can teach them not to chew on things they shouldn’t.
- A crate can be used as a safe place for your puppy to sleep in when you’re not home. Make it as cozy as you can — put a cushion for a bed and toys in it. Leave the door open while you’re home so your puppy can come and go. You could also get a child gate to keep your puppy in one room that has been puppy proofed while you’re home. This will give them another safe place to stay while you’re busy doing other things.
- It’s important to take a look around for houseplants that may be dangerous to a dog. Lily of the Valley and daffodils are two to be concerned with. Here is a list of plants that are toxic to animals: ASPCA List
- Put all plastic shopping bags where the puppy can’t get to them. If a puppy eats a shopping bag it could cause an intestinal blockage which is life threatening. It’s also a good idea to put all food scraps outdoors so the puppy won’t be tempted to go into the garbage.
- Keep toilet lids closed so the puppy won’t drink out of them. The chemicals used to clean toilets can be dangerous. A puppy is also at risk of falling into a toilet and drowning.
When you’re working on making your home puppy proof, keep the doors and windows closed so your puppy can’t get outside unsupervised — unless you have a puppy proof fenced area. Having your home ready for your puppy will make the process easier and less taxing for everyone.
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