Puppy Proof Your Home: A Guide for New Puppy Owners

Puppy Proof Your Home: A Guide for New Puppy Owners

Bringing a new puppy into your home is a joyous occasion, but it also comes with the responsibility of ensuring their safety. Puppies are curious and energetic, which can lead to accidents if your home isn't properly prepared. Here’s a guide on how to puppy proof your home to create a safe and welcoming environment for your new furry family member.

General Safety Tips

Supervision and Containment

Crate Training: Use a crate to provide a safe space for your puppy when you can't supervise them. Make sure the crate is comfortable and the right size. You puppy will feel safe and want to go in the crate if his/her introduction to the crate is a positive one.

Baby Gates: Use baby gates to restrict access to certain areas of your home, especially places that are not yet puppy proofed. Ensure that the gate is strong enough to keep your puppy safe. Remember that puppies grow very quickly. When buying a gate, consider buying a gate that can still restrain your puppy when it is 6-8 months old.

A puppy, much like a toddler, should not be allowed to roam free through your home. They can easily get hurt or damage your home.

Electrical Safety

Hide Cords: Puppies love to chew, and electrical cords are a major hazard. Use cord protectors or hide cords behind furniture. Unplug devices when not in use to prevent your puppy from chewing on live wires.

Never give your puppy a toy that looks like a power cord to play with. They will not be able to tell the difference between the toy and a live wire.

Secure Hazardous Items

Chemical Safety: Keep cleaning supplies, medications, and other chemicals out of reach. Store them in high cabinets or locked cupboards.

Small Objects: Remove small objects like coins, paper clips, baby socks and rubber bands that your puppy could swallow.

Remember to secure batteries: Keep remote controls out of reach, as they contain batteries that are harmful if ingested. This is true for any battery operated objects.

Living Room

Secure Furniture: Make sure all furniture is stable. Puppies may try to jump on or pull items, causing them to tip over. Top heave decorations will tip over if a puppy runs into the base, causing a dangerous situation if the decoration is glass, ceramic or the like. Remove or secure valuable items that could be knocked over or chewed. Cover furniture that you wish to protect from small claws and teeth.

Remove Toxic Plants: Some houseplants are toxic to dogs. Research your plants and remove any that are dangerous, such as poinsettias, lilies, and philodendrons. We have a blog post specifically focusing on toxic plants. (HYPERLINK)

Kitchen

Food Safety

Lock Cabinets: Use childproof locks on lower cabinets to prevent your puppy from accessing food, cleaning supplies, and trash.

Counter Surfing: Keep food and sharp objects out of reach on counters and tables. Puppies can be surprisingly agile when motivated by food.

Table cloths: Keep an eye on the length of your tablecloths. A puppy can quickly bite a corner and take off running. Everything on that table will fall to the floor, including plates, glasses and knives creating a dangerous situation for both humans and pets.

Trash Cans

Secure Trash: Use a trash can with a secure lid or place it in a cabinet to prevent your puppy from rummaging through it. Trash cans have many interesting and tempting smells for puppy and can be dangerous place.

Appliances

Keep Doors Closed: Always keep the doors of appliances like dishwashers, ovens, and washing machines closed to prevent your puppy from climbing inside.

Bedroom

Store Properly: Keep clothing, shoes, and accessories in closets or drawers to prevent chewing and ingestion and damage.

Laundry: Use a hamper with a lid to keep dirty laundry out of reach.

High Bed: If your puppy can access your bed, ensure they can’t fall off. Use pet stairs or a ramp if necessary.

Bathroom

Store Safely: Keep toiletries, medications, and cosmetics in cabinets with childproof locks. Most of these product have strong scents that curious puppies what to investigate.

Close Toilet Lid: Always keep the toilet lid closed to prevent your puppy from drinking the water or falling in.

Appliances in bathrooms: Hair dryers, hot curling irons can be very dangerous, not only because they re hot and can burn a curious puppy, but because a puppy can easily pull on a dangling cord and bring a curling iron down onto them.

Store Bath Items: Store shampoos, soaps, and razors out of reach. Use a shower caddy or high shelves.

Outdoor Areas

Secure Yard: Ensure your yard is securely fenced with no gaps or weak spots that your puppy could escape through. Puppies can be mini-Houdinis.

Check Gates: Regularly check gates to ensure they are closed and latched securely. Placing a self-closing latch on a gate ensures that the gates close securely even if you forget to close it.

Remove Toxic Plants: Just like indoors, some outdoor plants can be toxic to dogs. Research and remove any dangerous plants.

Secure Tools: Keep garden tools, fertilizers, and pesticides out of reach.

Cover Pools: If you have a pool, make sure it is securely covered or fenced off to prevent accidental drowning. Not all puppies can swim. Some breeds are more buoyant than others. Even if your puppy can swim, it may not know how to get out of the pool.

Final Tips

Provide Safe Toys: Ensure your puppy has plenty of safe toys and chews to keep them entertained and deter them from chewing on household items.

Rotate Toys: Rotate toys regularly to keep your puppy engaged and prevent boredom.

Basic Commands: Teach basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it” to help manage your puppy’s behavior. (Shameless plug…) Contact us for your complimentary evaluation. We will happily train your puppy to be a wonderful addition to your family.

By thoroughly puppy-proofing your home, you can ensure a safe and happy environment for your new family member. Taking these precautions will help prevent accidents and create a welcoming space where your puppy can thrive and grow. Enjoy the journey of puppy parenthood – it’s a time filled with love, learning, and endless fun.

Remember, this is just the puppy phase and your puppy will quickly grow out of this phase. With good training your new puppy with grow up to be a wonderful part of your family.

Would you like to include any specific tips or personal experiences in this blog post?