Getting a puppy is one of the most exciting things in the world, but without the right preparations, it will undoubtedly be one of the most stressful experiences in the world. Not only are puppies incredibly curious and keen to discover this new world around them, but they’re also clumsy and teething. As a result, they can be a recipe for disaster if left unattended in an unsuitable environment. No matter how much you might like to, it’s impossible to keep an eye on your puppy every minute of every day. It’s for this reason that puppy-proofing your home is essential for keeping both your puppy and your property safe.
Hide Trash Cans Behind Closed Doors
First things first, your mischievous puppy is likely to be greedy and constantly on the hunt for food they’re not allowed. They don’t really have a concept of what’s hygienic and what’s not, meaning they’re likely to root around your trash cans if you’re not careful. Therefore, you should either inhibit your pup’s ability to access your trash cans or even invest in a pet-proof can. Without these measures, your puppy may cause a mess in your house and even hurt or harm itself as it nibbles on something it shouldn’t be.
Keep Human Food Out of Bounds
Although your puppy may seem dopey, they’re a lot smarter than you may think – especially when it comes to food. Therefore, it won’t be long before your pup discovers where you’re storing your goodies. Similarly, it’s no secret that certain human foods are toxic to dogs, including:
- Grapes/raisins
- Cooked bones
- Alcohol
- Artificial sweetener
- Avocado
- Corn on the cob
- Nuts
- Chocolate
- Onion/garlic/chives
Ideally, your dog shouldn’t be eating much more than what’s designed for dogs; however, they should never be eating anything from the above list. Therefore, if you’re a chocoholic or you live for the avocado-on-toast trend, make sure your furry friends can’t get their teeth into any of these human goodies.
Invest in Stair Gates
Any parent will tell you that stair gates have changed their lives; however, the same can be said for puppy owners. Whether you wish to prevent your puppy from going into certain rooms or you want to prevent them from injuring themselves by hurtling down the stairs, stair gates might just be the answer. Just bear in mind that if your puppy is set to grow into a big dog, there may come a time when they’ll be able to jump the stair gate! Hopefully by this time, though, they can be trusted to not wreak havoc across your home.
Cover All Electrical Cords
As previously mentioned, puppies are curious, meaning they may well lodge themselves behind your TV set or try to climb a lamp to play with the “fun” cord. Whether you’re an experienced dog owner or not, you know that puppies explore the world with their mouths. Therefore, it goes without saying that electrical cords can be a real hazard to your puppy and your home alike. In order to prevent your puppy from causing damage and/or injury, you can place heavy furniture in the way of cords or buy cord protectors.
Puppy’s-Eye View
If you feel you’ve puppy-proofed every inch of your home, be sure to try this one last thing. You can experience the world through your puppy’s eyes by getting on all fours and crawling about your home. By seeing what they see, you’ll be able to identify points of interest for them that you may have missed as a human that towers above them.
