Puppy Proofing Your Home

Puppies are naturally curious beings.

When it comes to your home, you want to make sure to do some puppy proofing to keep them safe and you as worry-free as possible.

Start by going around your house on your hands and knees to see the layout through your dog’s eyes. What would they see and what would be alluring to a curious mind?

Puppies love to explore and the biggest tip we have is to keep your dog leashed. It is your responsibility to keep your new puppy safe and away from harm. By keeping them leashed to you, you ensure that they can never go too far without you noticing or feeling that tug from their curiosity.

Aside from leashing your dog and keeping them in a safe area, here are some other household tips to consider:

Store Food Properly

Whether it’s your food or their food, your puppy is going to want to eat it! Make sure that your puppy’s food is in a sealable container as well as your human food.

“I’ll put it out of reach.”

This sounds like a full-proof plan, but what is stopping your curious friend from using a chair to jump onto the kitchen counter? They are resourceful, so you must also retrain yourself to keep them safe from foods in general, but also those harmful foods for dogs.

Harmful foods can include:

• Chocolate
• Avocado
• Grapes
• Coffee
• Xylitol (artificial sweetener)
• Alcohol
• Yeast
• Onions
• Garlic
• Raisins
• Moldy foods
• Read more here

Also, be cautious of any bones, especially chicken bones, as they can be a choking hazard to your puppy.

Lock Away Harmful Household Items

As your puppy begins to explore their new surroundings, make sure that toxic chemicals are out of reach.

However, it can be difficult to find areas that are out of reach for your dog, but also easily accessible to you when you need it. This is where baby locks come in! Baby locks for cupboards allow easy access to those cleaning products, while also creating a barrier between them and your dog. 

You might be thinking, where should I use a baby lock?

• Anywhere you store chemicals for cleaning (i.e.: under the sink, bathrooms, etc.)
• Drawers with harmful materials (i.e.: kitchen knives, peelers, etc.)
• Pantry cupboards

Cover Electric Cords & Wires

Many of us already don’t like the sight of electrical cords hanging around and have figured out a way to hide them. If you haven’t, these wires, especially if plugged in, can be a hazard to your pup. Electrical cords can be a tempting chew toy to young eyes. So, keeping them out of reach is your best bet.

Put Away Clothing

Make sure that your closets, laundry baskets, and drawers are closed. Not only can it be frustrating to have your items ruined by such a cute little thing, but strings and buttons can be dangerous for your new puppy. Small objects can easily get stuck in their insides which may require surgery to remove.

Purchase Pet-Friendly Plants & Flowers

Plants and flowers may be beautiful, but many can be toxic if ingested by your puppy. This not only includes indoor house plants, but outdoor plants as well (think: backyard, patio, walking area, etc.).

To be safe, think of all plants and flowers as toxic until you do some research. Some of the most common, toxic plants to pets include sago palms, tomato plants, aloe vera, amaryllis, gladiola, American holly, daffodil, baby’s breath, milkweed, and oleander.

We have also created a list of pet friendly houseplants that are both beautiful and non-toxic. Check it out here.

Keep in mind that ingesting too much of any plant or flower, can leave your dog feeling ill.

Trying to find the right vet for your companion? You can read more about choosing a vet that gets your pet here.