Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting event full of happiness, cuddles, and some mess. But first, you want to make sure your house is a safe place before your little furball starts investigating every nook and corner. An essential first step to make sure your puppy stays free from any possible household risks is puppy proofing, which shields them from damage and helps save you from needless veterinarian visits.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through a room-by-room checklist to help you puppy proofing your entire home while keeping dog safety in mind.
Living Room: Establish a Safe Haven for Your Puppy
Often, the family spends most of their time in the living room, and curious puppies will also want to investigate here. This is how you puppy proofing this space:
- Hide safe outlets and electrical cords. Puppies enjoy chewing, and electrical cables are a big concern. Use chew-proof items like cord concealers or cord covers; make sure to block outlets with safety covers.
- Eliminate Small, Chewable Items Choking hazards arise from objects, including coins, paper clips, and small toys. Put items out of reach to guarantee canine safety and stop mishaps.
- Safe Containers for Waste For inquisitive dogs, the garbage can serves as a treasure box, but it is loaded with potentially harmful objects that might cause stomach trouble or poisoning. To stop any mishaps, choose a lidded, safe garbage can. This will restrict your dog from rummaging where they shouldn’t and assist in avoiding household hazards.
- Examine for poisonous plants. Dogs find many common houseplants, including the Sago Palm or Castor Bean, poisonous. Research which plants are dangerous; either eliminate them or put them in high, unreachable places.
Kitchen: Stow Food and Chemicals Away from Reach
Although the kitchen smells great, your puppy runs upon hidden hazards there as well. Puppy proofing the kitchen entails securing food, cleaning materials, and tiny items:
- Store Lock Away Cleaning Tools If taken orally, cleaning agents, including ammonia and bleach, are poisonous. To avoid household risks, utilize cabinets with childproof locks or set objects in high, unreachable areas.
- Look for Dangerous Foods. Keep human food—especially chocolate, grapes, onions, and any product, including xylitol (such as sugar-free gum) out of reach. Puppies will beg, although many human foods are toxic to them.
- Safe Containers for Trash Trash cans in the kitchen should be locked and sealed, much like in the living room. Another way to stop your dog from prowling about the kitchen while cooking is with a dog safety fence blocking off that area.
- Properly Store Bags Puppy-safe objects such as gum, pills, and food wrappers abound in handbags, grocery bags, and backpacks. Keep luggage always in closets or on high hooks.Â
Bathroom: Reduce Medication and Water Hazards
From water to medications, bathrooms can pose a variety of concerns. This will help to guarantee puppy proofing in the bathroom:
- Near-to toilet lids: Always close the lid to stop your puppy from inadvertently slipping in or drinking from the toilet. This is a basic but sometimes missed part of puppy proofing.
- Safe Personal Care Products and Medications Store vitamins, medications, and supplements in cabinets your puppy cannot access. Because they can be poisonous if consumed, even personal care products like shampoos and lotions should be kept out of reach.
- Stow Sharp Objects Out of Reach Commonplace on counters are razor blades, scissors, and other sharp equipment. Stow these things securely in cabinets or drawers.
Bedroom: A Safe Playing and Sleeping Area
Making it secure is important as your puppy can enjoy napping on your bed or playing about your bedroom:
- Maintain the clarity of Nightstands. Steer clear of leaving small goods, drugs, and jewelry on low tables your puppy could get. Puppies are inherently curious; hence, what looks to you to be a harmless object could be harmful to them.
- Sort wires and chargers. Tuck away phone chargers, lamp cords, and other electrical wires under chew-proof objects. If chewed, cables can be a choking hazard as well as an electrical shock source.
- Make a Puppy-Safe Sleeping Space. Whether you decide on a soft bed or a box, your puppy will feel protected if you set aside a place where they may relax securely. Additionally, it is crucial to limit a dog’s access to other areas of the house while unaccompanied by a dog safety gate or playpen.
Outdoor Space: Playful and Safe
Puppy proofing your yard will help to make sure your pet is safe and happy since it will become its playground and bathroom:
- Guard Your Yard Using Fences Outside dog safety depends mainly on a robust and safe fence. Check for any holes your puppy might fit through, and make sure the wall is high enough to keep her from leaping over.
- Eliminate Dangerous Plants Some outside plants, such as azaleas or oleander, can be poisonous if consumed. Spend some time investigating the vegetation in your yard and eliminating anything that may be dangerous.
- Maintain Fencing for Pools. If you have one, it would be wise to put a fence around your pool. Mainly if your puppy isn’t used to water, pools might be deadly. It’s recommended to keep your dog away from the pool until they are trained.
- Control Outdoor Time Puppies should never ever be left outdoors unattended. Spend this time playing with your puppy, reinforcing training, and making sure they are not ingesting any household hazards, including trash or plants.
Garage: Safely Stow Tools and Chemicals
Tools, chemicals, and other objects that might endanger dogs abound in garages. Here’s how to guarantee dog safety:
- Organize Chemicals in Closed Cabinets Many garages feature paint, antifreeze, and other hazardous materials. Make sure every dangerous chemical is securely sealed off to prevent intake.
- Safe instruments: Well out of reach from your puppy, keep sharp instruments such as saws, nails, and hammers locked away or on high shelves.
- Use Pet Gates. Should your garage be connected to your house, think about installing a dog safety fence to keep your puppy out of uncontrolled access.
Conclusion: Keep Your Puppy Safe and Happy
Bringing a fresh puppy home calls for tons of love, fun, and responsibility. Puppy proofing your yard and house guarantees that your new friend will remain safe from domestic hazards. Securing cables, utilizing chew-proof items, dog safety seat car, and installing pet gates among a few basic safety measures will help you create a puppy-friendly environment free of risk and lots of fun.
Call to Action: Ready for additional advice on caring for your new puppy and dog safety? Also see other guides to ensure your puppy starts in your house the best possible way!