How to Make Your Home Safe for a New Puppy

If you’re about to bring home a new puppy you need to make sure that your house is ready to accept your new pet. Puppy proofing your home is something that you need to do to protect not only your new puppy but everybody else in the home as well. 

The following guidelines will help you make sure your home is safe. Welcome to the world of asking yourself “Is this safe for the puppy?” a million times a day.

Choose Plants Wisely

The types of plants you bring into your home are very important when you have a puppy. Dogs like to lick and sniff things. I remember we brought home a new puppy and after the first trip to the kitchen to make dinner, I returned to find my palm tree completely torn out of its pot and soil all over the place. It was a messy and expensive mistake I did not make twice.

When a puppy notices a new plant, it will be curious about it. Unfortunately, certain plants when ingested, smelled, or even just being around them can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In extreme cases, it may even lead to death.

Here is a short list of some of the plants that are dangerous to puppies.

• Tulips
• Tiger Lily
• Snake Plants
• Shamrock Plants
• Morning Glory

Here is a list of plants that are considered safe for your pet.

• African Violet
• Dandelion
• Jasmine
• Marigold
• Orchids

These are just short lists but there are others that you should be aware of so please do your research.

Take Precautions With Medications

You must take as many precautions as possible when it comes to storing medication. Some medications are deadly to your pet and you need to be aware of them. If your pet swallows them it can cause seizures and even become fatal. I always like to remind myself that the more insane it seems for a puppy to chew on something, the more likely it will happen.

The same safety precautions I take for my kids I take for my dogs. They are most likely going to be teething and chewing on plastic is very relieving for them. Plus they’re so good at it and the sound of the pills moving inside the container is like a treat that they cannot say no to. You will need to make sure that you are storing medicine containers as safely as possible, very high cabinets would be ideal. The use of drawers is also effective since puppies cannot pull them out. If you do choose to store medications in low-hanging cabinets, make sure the cabinet stays closed.

Get Puppy Proof Trash Cans

Getting a puppy-proof trash can is another thing that you should consider. There are times when you may throw away things in your garbage that smell delicious and your puppy will be excited enough to try to turn over the can or lift the lid. We have one dog that needs to be crated at night or when we are not home because her favourite thing to eat is kitchen trash, even if she has a full bowl of her own food.

Try to buy bins that you can only step on to open if possible. 

Trash bins in your kitchen are not the only ones that you should be cautious about. You should also be careful with the trash cans in your bathroom as well. Puppies like to go into bathrooms and turn over the bins there as well. They also LOVE feminine hygiene products and that can cause its own issues.

If the bathroom is where you may throw away old cosmetics, razors, makeup, and a myriad of other things all of these can be harmful to your dog if they are ingested. Try to buy bins that are designed to keep puppies out.

Keep Electrical Cords Out of the Way

Electrical cords are a necessity in your home. However, it is one of the key targets of puppies. Puppies love to chew as mentioned before and electrical cords are very attractive for this purpose.

The best thing you can do is to keep the cords out of the way. You can use cable wraps, PVC pipes are even cord concealers to hide the cords safely away from your dog.

Consider Getting a New Couch

Before you had a puppy you may have bought a specific type of couch. However, once you get on a couch you may want to consider pet-proofing it. You can buy a new couch that is specially designed to handle all the wear and tear that comes from having a new pup. If you would like to keep your old couch you can buy dog-proof covers for it.

This will give you peace of mind as you can lay on your couch and snuggle with your dog or they can lay on it by themselves without causing damage.

Get the Right Rugs Too

It doesn’t matter if you find your pup on a pet page or go to a pet store to obtain them, puppies will chew. It’s not just your couch you need to think about, you also need to think about the type of rugs and mats that you purchase as well.

Puppies like to chew and tear at rugs, especially colourful ones. One way to turn them away from this is by buying rugs that have the same colour as their fur. For example, if you have a black dog, then buy a black rug. The fact that they have the same colour as the rug makes it less fascinating to a puppy. 

One trick that many new pet owners use is to put outdoor rugs inside. Outdoor rugs are a little more durable, and they can stand any wear and tear that your puppy gives to them. At the very least they will last longer than ordinary rugs would.

Don’t Forget Outside

Your pet won’t always be inside, so you need to make provisions for when they go outside in your yard. This area needs to be as safe as possible as well. 

Be sure to install good fencing around your front yard and your backyard as necessary. Open areas are never good for your pet and can even be dangerous.

Get Ready for Your Puppy

Getting ready for your new puppy is very important.  Making things safe will allow your pet to settle into the family a lot easier than they would otherwise. This will prevent a lot of mishaps that may otherwise put a damper on the arrival of your pet. Some simple planning ahead may save a lot of stress later on.

In addition to the steps already mentioned, there are some other things you can do to make your home safe for your new puppy:

1. Secure cabinets and drawers: Puppies are curious and may try to explore cabinets and drawers. Keep them secure by using child locks or latches to prevent your puppy from getting into hazardous items.
2. Keep breakable items out of reach: Puppies can knock over and break fragile items like vases and figurines. Keep these items out of reach or stored away until your puppy is trained. I have found puppies in the past chewing on ceramic water dishes until they broke,
3. Eliminate small items: Puppies may chew and swallow small items like buttons, batteries, and jewelry. Keep these items off the floor and out of your puppy’s reach. You know how they say it only takes a second for your child to eat something they shouldn’t? Mult
4. Cover electrical outlets: Puppies may try to chew on electrical outlets, which can be dangerous. Cover them with outlet covers to prevent your puppy from getting hurt.
5. Create a safe space: Puppies need a designated area where they can feel safe and secure. Create a cozy corner with a dog bed, toys, and water bowls. You can also use baby gates to section off a part of your home for your puppy.

By following these steps and being proactive about pet-proofing your home, you can create a safe and comfortable environment for your new puppy. This will not only protect your pet but also give you peace of mind as you welcome your new furry friend into your home.

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