How To Puppy-Proof Your House
puppy sitting on rug | How To Puppy-Proof Your House
One of the most important things that you'll need to do before your new puppy snuggles up in their new home is to learn how to puppy-proof your house. You'll want to make sure that their forever home is safe and secured so that they don't find themselves paws deep in trouble. In this article, we'll go over everything you need to puppy-proof a house and make it a safe and fun environment for your new bundle of fluff to explore and grow up in.
Why Puppy-Proofing Your House Matters
It's almost time to bring your new puppy home and you've already grabbed all of the important items on yourpuppy supply list so now it's time to puppy proof your home.Puppy-proofing your home is a super important step that you shouldn't skip because no one wants that their new puppy to get hurt or sick from something that was totally preventable. Puppy-proofing should be done a few days before you bring your new puppy home and it should be done in steps so all rooms of the house are safe. Taking the time to familiarize yourself with things that are dangerous to puppies like harmful chemicals, poisonous foods, and dangerous household items is just one part of how to puppy-proof your home. The other part is taking the time to carefully go through your home and spot any potential dangers so that you can take care of them before they injure your puppy or make them sick.
11 Tips for How To Puppy-Proof Your House
Let's go over a few tips that will cover what supplies you need when puppy-proofing a house and what to look for when learning how to puppy-proof your house.
Get on your puppy's level
Your puppy is a lot closer to the ground than you so you'll want to make sure that you get down to that level. This might include you getting down on your hands and knees so that you can see any hidden dangers that you wouldn't see standing upright.
Puppy-proof those cords
puppy chewing on towel | How To Puppy-Proof Your House
Electric cords are easy for a puppy to get to and since they like to put everything in their mouth, they won't pass up the chance to gnaw on one if they come across it. They don't know that these cords are dangerous so it's important that you secure the cords or make sure to block access to any cords. Puppy-proofing cords can be as simple as tucking cords behind an object or using zip ties to secure cords up and out of reach.
Set up gates
Pet gates are a must-have item when you're puppy-proofing your home and they can serve many purposes to keep your puppy and other pets in the home safe. You can usedog gates to block off dangerous areas in your home like steps, confine your puppy to a safe room when you're busy or not home. Gates are a safe way to keep your puppy separated from other pets in the home and young children until they get to know each other better.
Keep cleaning supplies secured
You might need a lot of cleaning supplies when you're potty training your new puppy but you'll want to make sure that all of those cleaning supplies are secured in a cabinet that is out of your puppy's reach. You can also purchasepet-safe cleaning products to keep your puppy safe from any dangerous chemicals.
Make sure medications are out of reach
puppies chewing on potted plant | How To Puppy-Proof Your House
Prescription and over-the-counter human medications are very dangerous for pets. Make sure that all of your medication is secured in an area that your puppy can't get to and make sure that the caps are on tight at all times. Accidents happen and if you accidentally knock a bottle of medication over, you'll want to make sure that any don't make it to the floor. Along with human medications, always make sure that pet medication is kept out of your puppy's reach too.
Move your plants
Plants are a wonderful addition to any decor but you'll want to make sure that the plants you have inside your home are notpoisonous to dogs. Just one bite of a toxic plant can be fatal for some dogs and cats so make sure you know if you have any of those in your home. You'll also want to make sure that the plants you have in your yard are dog friendly too! While you're moving your plants out of your puppy's reach, don't forget to move those candles somewhere safe too. Candles smell great but they can be a harmful snack for your puppy.
Secure your trash
While it may smell foul to us, the kitchen garbage can is a dog's delight! To avoid any dumpster diving, you'll want to make sure that your garbage can is puppy-proof. If your puppy seems to be able to break into any garbage can, you might have to move it to an area like the garage or pantry where they can't get to it.
Clear your counters
If you have a larger breed puppy, you'll want to make sure that your counters are clear. Once a puppy knows that the butter is in reach on the counter, they'll keep going back for more! You'll also want to remove any sharp objects like knives, all spices, baked goods, and kitchen supplies.
Keep food out of reach
puppy chewing on shoe | How To Puppy-Proof Your House
If a puppy smells something good, it'll do almost anything to get it. Make sure that any food items are out of your puppy's reach. This includes any baked goods on the counter or tables, and especially the chocolate in your candy dish! This will save you costly trips to the emergency vet.
If you don't want it chewed, move it
In case you haven't noticed just yet, puppies will put anything in their mouth and this includes your remote controls, hair tyes, shoes, bags, hats, and even your mail! Take a look around your house and see what your puppy can get their mouth and paws on and then move it to a safe spot.
Give your puppy their own space
Just like you sometimes need your own space, your puppy will too. Make sure to create a safe space for your puppy to relax and chill out in. This could be a crate or even a small room that they can go to whenever they need to relax or you can't keep your eyes on them. You can include a bed and a few chew toys for them to chew on and even some soft, plush friends. Learning how to puppy-proof your house is a necessary step in bringing home your newest family member. Puppy-proofing your home might sound like a lot of work at first but once you know how to do it and your new puppy arrives, you'll realize it was definitely worth your time!
Have you recently had to puppy-proof your house? If so, what tips and tricks can you share with us?
About the Author: Jen is an experienced writer with a passion for sharing her knowledge of living life with big dogs. In her free time, Jen enjoys hiking, baking treats, and spending time with her husband, children, and her 2 Newfies and Cardigan Welsh Corgi.