Puppy-proofing your home; teaching your puppy #3

When you have a new puppy, there are quite a few things to consider making your home safe and resistant to your young dog’s curiosity.  Here is a check list of things to do when puppy-proofing your home.

“Not Me. I’m an Angel.” by Patrick Hoesly is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Electrical cords – out of reach or sight

Unplug them, conceal them, keep them out of reach.  Dog owners know how curious puppies can be, as well as their need to chew.  Chewing on non-electrically charged items like slippers or chair legs will result in damaged items, while nibbling on wired cords could have other effects.

You could use a dog deterrent spray (widely available online) on the cords to decrease their appeal to your puppy.  Another strategy is to paint the cords the same colour as the paint on your walls.  Providing a supply of chew-able treats can also divert the puppy’s attention from those wires.  You will also need to train your dogs with commands like ‘Don’t’ or ‘Leave it alone’, so that over a period of time it will not associate rubber cords with chewing.

Keep these items away or out of reach

  • Medicines: must be high up, in cupboards, just like they would be when young children are around
  • Sharp objects, eg knives and scissors.
  • Houseplants
  • Electrical tools
  • Delicate ornaments
  • Objects your dog could choke on, such as erasers, rubber bands, jewelry, earphones. There is a long list of possibilities here, so anything that could end up getting stuck down your puppy’s throat needs to be put away.

Keep toilet seat down.

You don’t want puppy to fall in, so keep it down, or better make sure bathroom door is locked at all times! When you have finished puppy-proofing your home, you can give your new pooch a tour of the new home.

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