Puppy Proofing Your Home: Pet
Safety From Day One
You did it! You brought home an adorable new puppy! 🐶 Now it's time to puppy
proof your space so they can explore and play safely. Setting up a secure
environment right away prevents many headaches down the road.
In this article, we'll cover all the essentials to
doggo-proof each room. Let's dive in!
## Living Room
The living room is often a pup's favorite
playground. But lots of dangers lurk for curious pups!
🔌
Secure loose electrical cords and block access behind TVs and furniture. Chewed
cords can cause burns or electrocution.
🪑
Tuck chair and table legs in or upside down on surfaces. Little pups love to
gnaw these tempting sticks!
⏰
Use bitter apple spray on baseboards and furniture edges to deter chewing. It
tastes yucky but won't hurt them.
🎳
Keep doors closed to hazardous rooms like garages, basements, or laundry rooms.
Place baby gates if needed.
🏋️♀️ Remove heavy items that could fall
over like stacks of books, lamps, or workout gear. Place on high shelves or in
closets.
Following these puppy-proofing tips lets your doggo
play while keeping hazards out of reach!
## Kitchen
The kitchen has lots of dangers for
pint-sized pups. So stay vigilant in this high-risk zone!
🔪
Keep knives,toxins, and cleaners in cabinets or drawers. Use safety locks if
your escape artist gets inside.
🚰
Place barriers around counters and trash cans to keep pup away. Falling or
ingesting something harmful poses a major threat.
🗑
Take the trash out right away and keep pantry doors closed. Dogs explore with
their mouths and will snack on anything.
🔋
Hide appliances cords and block access behind fridges, stoves, and dishwashers.
Chewing wires can badly injure or kill a pup.
🍽
Keep human food put away and the garbage inaccessible. Dogs beg, counter surf,
and eat whatever they can reach!
With some puppy-proofing diligence, you can keep your
kitchen secure and avoid an emergency vet visit!
## Bedroom
You want your bedroom to be a dog-friendly
sanctuary. Make it a secure space with these tips:
⛓
Keep windows closed or install guards so they can't wiggle out. Place beds away
from windows.
🛏
Don't let small pups sleep in your bed just yet - they could fall off and get
injured. Use a crate or low dog bed instead.
👙
Keep laundry behind closed doors and block access under your bed. Dogs will
play with or swallow items that fall.
💡
Cover outlets and tuck electric cords away so they aren't tempted to chew.
🔐
Keep medication, cosmetics, and toxic products locked away. Ingesting the wrong
thing could be lethal.
With some adjustments, your bedroom can stay both pup
and human friendly.
## Bathroom
Don't overlook the dangers a bathroom poses
for your new fur baby! Stay on guard in this hazardous zone:
🛁
Keep toilet lids closed and tuck bath mats out of reach. Pups are drawn to
water and will get into trouble!
🔌
Ensure cords from appliances like hairdryers and electric trimmers are
inaccessible. Chewing on live wires can badly injure or kill a puppy.
🗑
Secure the trash can and put it out of reach. Dogs love bathroom trash - qtips,
floss, tissues, and more.
🧴
Keep medications and toxic products locked up or hidden behind closed doors.
Ingesting the wrong pills or potions poses a major risk for pups!
🚰
Limit unsupervised water access to prevent drowning. Use baby gates, close
doors, or monitor your pup.
Staying alert in the bathroom keeps your new furry
friend safe. Don't take chances in this hazardous zone!
## Laundry Room
The laundry room holds all kinds of
intriguing smells and objects for a puppy. Make this space safe with vigilance:
🧺
Keep laundry detergent, bleach, and fabric softener locked up or completely out
of reach. Ingesting these toxic chemicals could be fatal.
🌡️
Block access behind appliances and tuck cords away. Pups love to investigate
but live wires pose serious dangers.
🧦
Use baby gates to keep pups away from loose objects like clothing, shoes, lint,
or laundry pods. These items can be choking hazards if swallowed.
🗑
Secure trash cans so they can't get into tissues, dryer sheets, plastic, or
other trash items.
🚰
Limit unsupervised water access to avoid drowning. Use baby gates in front of
washers or utility sinks.
Staying alert keeps your laundry room safe for dogs.
Don't let the intriguing smells put your pup at risk!
## Garage
The garage is filled with hazards for
curious canines. Protect your pup with smart precautions:
⛽
Keep chemicals like gasoline, oil, paint, or antifreeze safely locked away and
out of reach. Ingesting these can poison dogs.
🧰
Keep tools like wrenches, drill bits, nails, or razor blades in closed
toolboxes. These can injure tender paws.
🚗
Don't let pups play around or under cars. They could knock something over and
get injured.
🧱
Block access to rodent or insect poisons which are highly toxic. Use pet safe
alternatives instead if needed.
🗑
Secure the trash and recycling bins so they can't get into things that could
make them sick or choke.
Stay vigilant so your garage doesn't turn into a danger
zone! A few adjustments make it much safer.
## Yard
Your yard may not seem hazardous, but some
adjustments make it safer:
⚡
Don't leave dogs unsupervised outside, even in fenced yards. They can escape,
injure themselves, or get stolen.
🌿
Use pet safe weed killers and fertilizers so they don't get sick if they nibble
plants. Some lawn chemicals are highly toxic.
🕳
Seal any holes along fences or under gates. Curious pups *will* find a way out
and explore the neighborhood!
🔨
Pick up nails, screws, hardware, or sharp debris. These can embed in paw pads
or choke your pup.
🎾
Keep sports gear like golf clubs, tennis balls, jump ropes, or cornhole bags
out of reach. Ingesting these items poses a major choking risk.
With some planning, your yard can be a safe play zone
for your newest family member. Just stay vigilant!
## Puppy Proofing 101
Bringing home a new puppy
is so exciting! But their safety depends on you setting them up for success.
Take time to thoughtfully puppy proof each room before letting your new fur
baby explore. Keep a watchful eye and stay one step ahead of their curiosity.
With some preparation, your new best friend will stay safe while growing up in
their forever home!
