Bringing home a new dog is an exciting time! Whether you’re rescuing an older dog in need of a home, or you’re bringing home a fresh new puppy, you’re welcoming a new family member into your space, and this will take some adjustment. To make this adjustment as smooth and as comfortable as possible for everyone, learning how to dog proof your home or how to puppy proof your apartment is important.
Why Should I Puppy Proof My Home?
Puppy proof your home revolves all around safety. If you do not currently have a dog, bringing home a new puppy will show you all of the unique “hazards” you may have in your home without even realizing it. Those cords that trail under the television, the houseplant you keep by the door, even the décor items you rarely think about can all be a tempting danger to your new pup.
According to Adopt A Pet, learning how to dog proof your home or how to puppy proof your apartment is a gesture of love for your new best friend. It’s your way to create a safe haven where you can both start your lives comfortably together. This gives you a safe space to learn about each other, engage in bonding and training, and to get your new pup comfortable for what will be the long life you’ll share.
Your Puppy Proofing Checklist
There’s a lot of excitement in the time before bringing home a new pup, so it can be easy to miss little details when it comes to what you’ll need to do to prepare. Having a checklist is a cheat code to make sure you’ve covered all your bases, and you’re doing the very best for you and your new dog. According to PreventativeVet.com, putting consideration into your checklist helps to set you both up for success long-term. Some key points that should be on your checklist are:
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Secure your trash – There are few things as enticing to a new dog or puppy as a trash can. While you may think your lidded kitchen trash is enough, you may be surprised what a determined and curious new puppy can do given just a few unsupervised seconds.
Getting into a trash can is more than just making a mess. Snack bags can suffocate, bones can splinter and choke a dog, over the counter medications can be deadly, and even something as simple as a piece of old chewing gum can contain lethal to dogs chemicals like Xylitol.
Investing in a locking lidded trash can, creating a barricade around the trash can with an indoor fence or baby gate, or locking the trash can away in a cabinet should be high priority on your bringing home a new dog or puppy checklist.
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Take a good look at your cords and cables – It’s likely you don’t think much about the electrical cords you have hanging around the house. Afterall – why would you? All of that changes when you learn how to dog proof your home or how to puppy proof your apartment. While you may not think these cables are particularly enticing, they look like an interesting toy to a curious pup.
Chewing on an electrical cord can lead to shocks and burns for your pup, as well as a potential fire hazard. Just a few short seconds of chewing can be devastating. All cords should be safely tucked away or blocked off from your pup. If this isn’t possible, chew-proof protective coverings can be fitted to your cords to ensure they’re protected.
These protective coverings aren’t always a match against heavier chewers, but they can buy pet parents some time should the puppy sneak away before being noticed. As always, a keen eye and diligent supervision is always your best course of action.
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Properly store all chemicals and medications – What might not smell great to you can be very tempting to your dog. Chemicals like those you use to clean your home or medications you typically keep on a dining room table are things you likely think little about before inviting a curious dog into your space.
When dispensing medications, it’s important to do so over a sink or secure trash can. Puppies can be faster than you think, and one dropped pill can turn into a trip to see your emergency veterinarian in seconds. When not in use, all medications should be kept in high, secure, and perhaps even locked cabinets to ensure even the most curious dog cannot gain access.
According to MarthaStewart.com, most households store cleaning supplies and other household chemicals in cupboards under the sink or in a garage-type area of the home. When you have a new pup, however, you may need to think twice about where you’re currently storing household supplies. These should be kept in secure areas in locked cabinets, or held up high on shelves where dogs cannot gain access. These materials are particularly deadly to dogs if ingested.
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Consider your plants – Many decorative plants that look beautiful around the home aren’t pet-friendly. As a matter of fact, some of the most popular exotic plants around today, like philodendrons or alocasias, are part of this list. If you keep houseplants, do a deep dive on the toxicity of those plants and decide how you can safely manage them with a new pup.
In some instances, they may be able to be put on high shelves or hung from a hook affixed into the ceiling; effectively keeping them securely out of reach of curious noses. In other instances, they may need to be kept in a dog-free room or you may need to consider if they have a safe place in your dog-friendly home at all.
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Take a look at your elevated spaces – Puppies are more fragile than they realize, and they’re more daring as well – thus coming together for a potentially dangerous combination. Balconies, staircases, and even high furniture need to be looked at carefully and safeguarded to ensure a new puppy or dog cannot fall and injure themselves. Doggy stairs that go up to the sofa, small gates that can block off dangerous ledges, and chicken wire covering up any larger railing gaps a puppy could squeeze through are simple ways to puppy proof these areas.
- Take care of small belongings – Knick knacks and small pieces of décor give flair to your home or apartment, but they can be dangerous for a new puppy or curious dog. These present choking hazards should a dog investigate them with their mouths, and certain materials are dangerous when chewed and ingested. All small décor objects and belongings within your new dog’s reach should be tucked away or stored up high to maintain a safe space.
A Sturdy Crate Is A Necessity For A Puppy Friendly Home
After you have your checklist, and you’re diving deep into how to dog proof your home or how to puppy proof your apartment, you’ll see just how important it is to provide ample supervision as well as maintaining the safest dog-friendly environment possible. Dogs and puppies have a funny way of being able to surprise you in the most baffling of ways! It only takes a couple of seconds for them to find something you’ve missed, and you don’t want this to turn into a dangerous situation or worse.
This is where a sturdy crate comes in. It’s impossible to keep your eye on your new dog or puppy 24/7, especially if you have to work to take care of your new buddy. A sturdy crate is a safe place for your dog where you can rest assured they’re secure even when you can’t be around to watch them. Some of the benefits of investing in a high-quality crate are:
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Crates are a secure den space for your dogs – Dogs are natural den animals, which means they have an instinct to find a dark, warm, and secure space where they can relax. In nature, their ancestors may have looked for a burrow or a cave. In an apartment or home, this is their crate. Not only will a crate help to keep puppy safe, but it’ll also provide a comfort area they can retreat to.
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Crates help with housebreaking – Naturally, a dog will not want to “mess” where they sleep or eat. A crate can serve as a safe haven for both activities. This means that your dog is less likely to have accidents when they’re in their crate. If you’re working on housebreaking your dog or puppy, keeping them in the crate when they cannot be diligently supervised is an excellent way to avoid messes and setbacks. It also helps your dog to build bladder strength and teaches them where they can appropriately eliminate in a convenient way.
- It’s a great way to combat separation anxiety – Rescued dogs with unknown histories are prone to separation anxiety due to events in their lives before finding their new homes. New puppies can develop separation anxiety if not provided with enough alone time to build confidence being away from their people. A sturdy crate can serve both needs. For older dogs with separation anxiety, the crate is a place where they can feel safe, and they won’t be tempted to act out of panic or stress. For puppies, the crate is an area where they can build this confidence without worry of getting into trouble.
With a sturdy crate, a comprehensive checklist, and a little patience, you and your new puppy are on your way already to long, happy, and safe lives together.