Puppy Proofing Your Home

One of the most important things to do before bringing your new puppy home is puppy proofing your home. It is often easier to do before you bring your newest family member home, as opposed to waiting until they are running around getting into things they shouldn't. We will go through a room by room review on some of the most common things you need to check before bringing your new dog home.

Your Dog In The Kitchen The kitchen is one of the first rooms you should check. Its often a room you and your family use alot, thus will be a room your new puppy will be in often. Your kitchen probably contains many things your puppy, would love to get into, but shouldn't. Some of the most common puppy problem areas are: Open, or easy to open kitchen cabinets These may contain chemicals which can make your new dog sick Accessible garbage cans The smell of food is sure to attract your puppies attention, but eating out of the garbage can can expose your puppy to food that has gone bad and/or food which your puppy's system cannot handle Overhanging pan handle Puppies are typically curious and may try check out whats on the stove, overhanging pan handles can burn your puppy or lead to your dog pulling a hot pot or pan from the stove Knives To your puppy the world is their playground and if they decide to try to play with knives or other sharp kitchen items they could could cut your new dog. Plastic bags, wrap and aluminum foil Dogs have a much better sense of smell than we do. Plastic bags or foil often to a dog may smell like the food which was wrapped in it. This could cause your puppy to choke on the items if chewed of swallowed. Solution:Close cabinet doors; install childproof locks if the puppy can open them, and store caustic cleaners in high cupboards. Place the garbage pail under the sink or on the counter. Don't leave wrappers or implements where puppies can reach them. Don't let the puppy underfoot when you're cooking!

Your Dog In The Dining Room Swinging door Can swing shut on a tail, or worse, neck Hanging tablecloth Can be pulled down, along with what's on it. Solution:Remove or prop open swinging doors. Go without a tablecloth for a while -or keep your puppy out of the room when you eat!

Your Dog In The Family Room Much like the kitchen, the family room is a room that you and your family (including the four legged members) will probably be in alot. Its important for both your dog's safety, and so you to relax and not have to constantly worry to prepare your family room before your new dog arrives. Fireplace without secure fire screen Your puppy at times will let their curiosity get the best of them, and uncovered fireplaces could burn your puppy. Uncovered electrical outlets These could shock your puppy if licked. Electric wires These could shock your puppy if chewed, or hurt your puppy if they pull a lamp or appliances down on top of themselves. Sewing or knitting, or craft kits These oten contain small beads, pins, string, and other items that can hurt your puppy if swallowed. Open stairway Your new puppy may or may not be ready to negotiate steps when they first come home. Solution:Get a good fire screen and don't let the puppy loose around a fire. Cover electrical outlets and hide as many electric cords as possible. Place hobby and sewing baskets out of reach. Place a baby gate in front of stairways. Don't let the puppy play unsupervised! You may want to consider buying a playpen or exercise pen for your puppy.

Your Dog In The Bedroom Toys Can be destroyed and some parts can be dangerous if swallowed. Coins Pennies, especially, are dangerous if swallowed because they are made of zinc and can cause zinc toxicity. Open closets Don't blame the puppy if he chews your shoes! Diaper pail If swallowed, diaper material can cause impactions or bowel obstructions. Blinds with long cords Can choke a puppy if the puppy catches his head in them. Solution:Don't leave toys, coins or diaper pails in reach. Close closet doors or place shoes on racks. Cut the loop in the cords for blinds, leaving two long pieces, or hang the cord out of reach. Place a baby gate in front of children's rooms that may not be reliably tidied.

Your Dog In The Bathroom Pills Puppies can chew through childproof caps and can overdose on normally safe medications and react adversely to some human medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, even in small doses. Toiletries Toothpaste, razors, hair coloring, suntan lotions, deodorants and rubbing alcohol must all be kept out of reach. Drain cleaners Drain cleaners can be deadly if swallowed, and can cause severe irritation on contact. Solution:Close the bathroom door! Even so, keep everything out of reach in medicine cabinets or cupboards.

Other Things Around The House Detergents, bleach and lye Some powders can burn eyes and throats, and bleach can be blinding or fatal. Antifreeze Just one lick of antifreeze containing ethylene glycol can kill. Gasoline, diesel, oil, kerosene, brake fluid, carburetor cleaner, windshield fluid, paints, paint thinners, acetone, mineral spirits, wood stain, furniture polish, used oil, batteries, glue Can irritate skin and yes, and may be toxic if swallowed. Tools Heavy tools can fall on a puppy. Cars & Garage door Puppies may fall asleep under, behind a wheel, or try to run under at the last second. Its important to know where your puppy is when driving or closing the garage door Nails, tacks, and screws May be deadly if swallowed. Fertilizers,Herbicides, rodent poisons, slug bait May be enticing to eat, deadly if swallowed. Solution:Its important to remember, your new puppy is much like a child. A very active child, who often will have the run of the house. They are curious and thus may eat, lick, and taste things they shouldn't or climb, pull, or chew things they should not. Its up to you, to make sure your new puppy's exposure to these dangers are limited as much as possible. It is extremely hard, if not impossible to foresee every single danger your puppy may come in contact with, so it is important, even after puppy proofing your home to keep an eye on your new puppy; and if there are times when you can't use gates or a playpen to restrict him or her to a safe area.

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