How to Puppy-proof Your House

The prospect of bringing a puppy home is thrilling; perhaps you feel prepared for the difficulties and rewards of raising and training your new pet. However, you should ensure that your house is prepared for your pet. 

Even though you have the collar, leash, and most exquisite toys a dog could ask for, is your house set up to receive a new puppy? We’ll provide checklists for your house and yard so you can learn how to puppy-proof your home.  

Plants Can Be Dangerous

Puppies explore the world by placing everything in their mouths like babies. Numerous plants can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, or even organ failure in dogs. 

When your puppy decides to taste a houseplant can cause significant issues, ranging from minor irritability and digestive discomfort to organ failure and even death. Some of the most hazardous plants for dogs include the Sago palm (and other cycads), Castor Bean, American Yew, and the Autumn Crocus. Many more dangerous plants and flowers are included on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control list.

By researching them, please ensure all the plants in your house are safe for dogs.

Opt for pet gates and other barriers

“It’s OK if your puppy’s world is small for now,” says Bloom. Bloom advises pet owners to block off any areas of their house that could result in a dog accident, such as those with pricey furniture, rooms with extensive carpeting, and stairs. 

Pet gates are also great tools for keeping your dog contained in one area. You can confine your puppy in areas with dog-friendly flooring and a few chewable things until it is trained. Many pet retailers provide adjustable plastic and metal types, which can be cumbersome and unattractive.

If you create your pet gate, you may match your home’s decor and be as creative as you want with the colour and size. Ensure that the gate is tall enough to prevent your puppy from climbing and that rounded on top to avoid paw injuries.

Keep Medications in a Safe Place

Place your current medications and the drugs for your pets in a secure location. The practice of leaving our medicines on the counter and coming back to take them later in the day is one that many of us engage in. Stopping this behaviour is essential since your dog might reach them first.

Your dog might be able to gnaw through the plastic of a pill container if he is a dedicated chewer. So, make sure to store all containers in a secure location.

Consider storing your medications in a tall bathroom or kitchen cabinet or drawer. Additionally, keep the drawer or cabinet closed. Know which drugs are suitable for pets.

Cords and Puppies Don’t Go Together

Electrical cables are the sweetest treat ever to a puppy. They like to chew on various wires and earbuds. Cords will inevitably be present in your home.

But make sure to keep wires covered or in a secure location, and keep an eye on your dog to ensure they are not gnawing on power lines. You can also buy PVC pipe, spiral cable wrap, and cord concealers to hide cords from your dog. 

Use strong cord covers or deterrent sprays on electrical cords, chargers, and power lines to protect your new puppy from unintentional burns to the mouth or worse. Plenty of chew toys will also assist in providing your puppy with a better outlet for their chewing energy. Of course, always watch a tiny puppy when not in a crate or pen.

Put Away Small Objects

You must be cleaner than ever right now. Stop leaving your socks or jewellery on the floor or the end table. The antics of puppies are boundless! For this reason, you must keep goods out of reach and where they belong.

Keep your eyes peeled and tidy up your mess! Taking your dog to the vet and having an x-ray of his tummy reveal bobby pins, q-tips, and other nasty blockages is not ideal. So, keep those goods out of reach of your dog. 

If your dog consumes something it should not, you should contact or visit a veterinarian immediately.

Remote controllers, electronic toys, key fobs, and other battery-powered items should be picked up and stored safely away from children. Small pieces can be eaten and swallowed. But a swallowed battery is far more harmful since it can cause burns to the soft tissue inside your pet’s oesophagus as it descends. Disc batteries are very hazardous!

Consider Dog-Proof Rugs and Carpet

Purchase rugs with little designs the same colour as your dog’s fur to “dog-proof” them (black for a black dog; white or cream for a white dog). You can also buy outdoor carpets to use indoors because they are frequently more durable and easier to clean.

Pack your poisons 

Most homes are sure to have a few poisonous compounds that must be locked away, ranging from household cleansers, detergents, and glue to yard and automotive chemicals. Even a safety hat can’t protect you from those razor-sharp puppy fangs. Antifreeze appeals to pets, so use caution when cleaning up spills and storing containers. It would be best if you kept rat and mouse poisons and slug baits out of reach of children.

Monitor chewing habits

According to veterinarians, the most prevalent health emergency for pups is swallowing a foreign object. Because puppies frequently chew on plastic, all family members should keep an eye on what they have in their mouths. Even safe toy bits can become choking and swallowing dangers; therefore, don’t bring chew toys when they get too small or portions fall off.

Protect your dog with insurance

Consider purchasing pet insurance to protect your puppy in an accident. Puppy insurance coverage can also assist you in avoiding paying costly vet fees out of pocket if an accident occurs.

If you follow all of these steps, you should be able to keep your puppy safe from harm. Should you run into any issues we failed to mention, please don’t hesitate to ask for help. We know how difficult training a puppy can be. Still, you will succeed with the proper amount of dedication and diligence. And really, what’s more rewarding than seeing a new puppy thrive?