Tips For Puppy Proofing Your Home
When people think about their puppies getting into their belongs, they often have images in their heads of their furry friends eating some shoes. There’s a little property damage, but typically, the dog is okay. However, in reality, if your house isn’t puppy-proofed, your curious puppy could get into some potentially dangerous things while playing in it. Explore these helpful tips for puppy-proofing your home to learn the importance of protecting your dog from itself.
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Cover Trash
From small bones to the poisonous xylitol, a product found in chewing gum, there are many different potential dangers to a puppy digging through your trash. And no one wants to clean up the garbage, anyway. A trash cover will often be enough to discourage them from getting into it but consider keeping the trash in a closet or dedicated cabinet if you have a curious pup.
Cord Protection
As a dog grows and their teeth come in, they will be chewing on just about anything in their line of sight. This could include electrical cords, which could shock or burn them. You can discourage them from chewing on your cords by spraying them with an anti-chewing spray. The other solution is to purchase cord covers. You can also keep them from chewing on hazardous things by giving them ample chew toys to keep them busy.
Keep Cleaning Supplies and Medicine Away
While a safety cap might be effective against babies, it’s no match for the teeth of a growing dog. So you shouldn’t keep cleaning supping or medicine lying around on countertops. By keeping potentially poisonous materials stowed away, you can rest assured that your puppy isn’t ingesting any harmful chemicals.
Avoid Poisonous Houseplants
There are a few common houseplants that are dangerous when eaten by dogs. Here are just a few poisonous species to be aware of:
- Peace lily
- Aloe vera
- Ivy
- Jade
- Asparagus fern
- ZZ plant
So, before buying any plants for your home, research them to ensure they’re pet-friendly.
Set Limits
A puppy is more likely to get into trouble when on its own and unsupervised. The easiest way to keep your pet in your line of sight is by setting limits on where they can go. Pet gates in front of the stairs, closed doors, and outdoor fences are all options for creating barriers for their play area.
Stair Treads for Hardwoods
Much like a baby, a puppy’s bones are softer than a full-grown dog’s. Falls and slips could be much more impactful on a puppy than on an adult dog. And a dog’s paws don’t give them excellent traction on hardwoods, so it’s common for dogs to trip walking up hardwood stairs. To help your puppy gain traction on your wooden stairs, consider installing carpet stair treads. Just make sure to care for your stair treads with regular vacuuming because the fibers will collect dog fur and dirt quickly.
After checking out these helpful tips for puppy-proofing for your home, you can create a safe and fun environment for your pet.
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