Puppy Proofing Your Home

So you’ve been to your local rescue or found a resposible breeder and you have decided to adopt a puppy? That’s great! Puppies are lots of fun and you will get to see your little pal grow. Puppies are curious and have lots of energy, which is what makes them so fun. However, you must make sure your home is safe for that little pup. Here are some ways to make sure your home puppy proof!

Watch out for electrical hazards

Trailing cords can be tripped over and over exuberant pups can get tangled in them. There is also the risk of them being chewed, so tuck them out of the way and out of sight. Chewing on electrical cords can cause burns in the mouth,  electric shock and even death. Block off any access behind cabinets where electricals are, such as your TV – just because you cannot reach the cords, doesn’t mean your puppy wont be able to! Don’t leave your puppy unattended with any heaters or fans, which could get knocked over during play.

Keep medicines and cleaning supplies in a cupboard

All medicines for humans and pets need to be safely stored away in a cupboard – this includes any vitamins you may have left out in the kitchen. Puppies can be surprisingly quick at getting to things they shouldn’t, and can make light work of chewing through plastic containers. Similarly, cleaning supplies need to be kept in a cupboard. You may want to get child proof latches for the cupboards if your pup is very curious as ingesting these cleaning supplies could cause them serious harm.

Get a bin with a lid

Bins smell irresistible to dogs, and it’s likely your puppy will take things out if it isn’t firmly closed with a lid. Chewing on rubbish can cause internal blockages and can be very severe, so it’s best to deter your pup from the bin from a young age. Also remember any other bins you may have in the house, such as the bathroom bin which could contain dangerous things such as razors. Don’t forget the outside bins too!

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Research which house plants are toxic

It’s best to move all house plants up high so your puppy cannot reach them. It’s also better to be safe than sorry, so get rid of any that are toxic to dogs. Some examples of toxic plants are daffodils, aloe and holly.

Keep human food out of the way

Onions, chocolate, grapes, raisins and alcohol can all be dangerous to dogs. Chocolate is very tempting to dogs, but it is lethal to them as it contains theobromine which dogs are unable to process quickly. This means it will build up to toxic levels in their system, leading to seizures and death.

Put a guard around fireplaces

Never leave your puppy alone in a room with a lit fire. Get a pet guard so they cannot get too close, but you will also need to keep the guard up when the fire is out as coal can be hazardous to them too.

Be careful with furniture

Recliner chairs are very popular, but watch that your pup doesn’t climb under or into is as it could hurt them and it’s the same for sofa beds. Rocking chairs can also hurt paws or tails, so be careful if you have one of these. Cords from blinds can hang down and pose a strangulation risk, so tie those cords up and out of the way.

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Keep small items out of the way

Dental floss, jewellery, trinkets and ornaments can all be seen as fun toys for puppies, so you need to keep them shut away or up high on a shelf.

Check outside storage

Ensure that barbeques are kept out of the way. Keep plant fertilisers, insecticides and oil are stored in secured containers out of reach. Be mindful of antifreeze as this tastes good to dogs, but can be fatal if ingested.

Cover ponds and pools

Ponds, pools and hot tubs all need to be covered or fenced off. A curious puppy could fall in and drown.

Christmas

Christmas can bring a whole new range of risks to dogs, so have a look at my other article on how to keep your pets safe over Christmas. 

Bringing a puppy home is an exciting time, so make sure you keep a close eye on your pup and ensure all hazards are considered before you adopt your new best friend.

puppy-in-bed

Have you got a puppy? Tell me about them in the comments below!

1 thought on “Puppy Proofing Your Home”

  1. It’s good to know that plants like aloe can be harmful to dogs. My sister and her husband are looking for a Labradoodle puppy to get for their daughter’s birthday this summer. This info should be helpful as they puppy-proof their home in preparation for the new dog.

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