Puppy Proofing: 7 Simple Steps

​How are things going with your new puppy?

By now you’re probably chuckling when they chase their tail and taking some adorable selfies together.

In the midst of bonding and making new memories, you don’t want to be distracted by safety concerns.

So, try these tips to “puppy proof” your home—so you can avoid worries and keep your focus on more important things… like puppy kisses.Puppy-Proof Your Home: 7 Things to Avoid if You Have a New Puppy
Your new pup is very smart. 

But everything is new to them. They have an inquisitive mind and love to explore—that’s how they learn.

However, just like human babies, puppies need our guidance on what’s safe to play with and what’s not.

By puppy proofing your home, you can help your new pup avoid accidents and other safety concerns—and promote a fun puppyhood of safe exploration and playtime.

Try these tips…

1. Know Which Foods Dogs Should Avoid

Many foods that are perfectly safe for humans are not for dogs. 
Some people foods to avoid include:

• Chocolates (especially dark and bakers chocolate)
• Coffee
• Sugar-free gums and mints (or any food or drink containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol)
• Grapes and raisins
• Onions
• Yeast dough

In general, it’s best to check with your veterinarian prior to offering any people food or table scraps. 

2. Lock up the Garbage Can 

Your puppy has an amazing nose—in fact, while human beings only have about 6 million olfactory (smell) receptors, dogs have up to 300 million!

So, your little puppy will probably smell all sorts of food scraps and other tempting things in your garbage can.

However, the trash can hold some things you wouldn’t want your puppy getting into—like spoiled food, bones, or even plastic bags that could be swallowed or get stuck on their head.

Fortunately, this problem is easy to avoid—just get a trash can with a securely closing lid, or close the can in a cabinet with child proof cabinet locks.

3. Keep Medicines and Chemicals out of Reach

Just like your garbage can, you’ll want to keep medications and chemicals (such as cleaning substances, antifreeze, pest control products, and even spare batteries) far away from your curious pup’s mouth.

Puppies like to chew—especially during their teething phase—so you’ll want to be sure the things they put in their mouth are chew toys rather than bottles that contain medicines or other substances.

And while we’re talking about medicine, remember—many human medications aren’t safe for pets, so always check with your veterinarian prior to giving medicine for any reason.

4. Safety Check Your Pup’s Toys 

There’s no doubt about it—puppies love toys! They’re usually up for chewing, playing tug-of-war, and chasing or fetching many times per day.

Since puppies like to chew, check their toys at least once daily for missing or loose pieces, holes where stuffing could be pulled out, and loose or unraveling strings.

The reason is, you want to be sure your puppy doesn’t accidentally swallow small pieces that could cause an intestinal blockage.

Supervised playtime is best. But if you need to leave a toy with them while you’re out, look for sturdy toys designed for teething.

Also keep small items like coins, rubber bands, pens, lipstick, etc. out of reach.

5. Secure Electrical Cords

Electrical cords don’t make good chew toys—they can result in electric shocks and mouth burns.

So, find sturdy cord covers (such as PVC tubes), or reroute cords out of puppy’s reach.

6. Have a Plan for Houseplants 

Some plants, such as lilies and sago palms, are toxic for pets and best avoided altogether.

But even “safe” plants can cause a lot of tummy upset if ingested. Plus, you probably don’t want your curious puppy to dig or chew up your flowers.

So, place houseplants out of your puppy’s reach. And check with your veterinarian if you’re not sure which plants are safe for pets.

7. Practice Pool Safety

If you have a pool and you want your puppy to try swimming, always provide supervision and, be sure to lock the pool door so your pup can never fall in when you’re not around. Use Safe Spaces at First

Until they’re older and you feel comfortable letting them roam the house, it’s probably best to keep your puppy in their crate when you’re at work or sleeping.

That way, they can’t get into anything they shouldn’t—and you can rest easy knowing your sweet furry puppy is safe, healthy, and ready to give you more puppy kisses soon.

This blog is part of a series of helpful articles about puppies.

From Our Family to Yours!
Courtesy of:
​Fromm Family Pet