Much like new parents will sometimes go to great lengths to baby proof their home to keep their child safe, puppy proofing is certainly something new dog owners can do to make their home safe until their new addition to the family learns the lay of the land and basic obedience and manners. So what are some of the primary ways you can go about puppy proofing your home? We’ll break down some of the things you can do.

Puppy Proofing Locations and Tips

The best way to go about puppy proofing your home is to take it room by room. You’ll want to keep an eye out for possible hazards and take steps to remove them, hide them, or cover them up. We’ll go room by room and talk about some things you can do.

Kitchen

Kitchens can contain any number of smells and tastes that will make your puppy want to explore. If they can get into a drawer or cabinet, they won’t hesitate to make a mess of everything that is inside. Childproof latches can help keep them out. It is also smart to keep potentially dangerous foods and cleaning supplies out of reach.

Power cords can also seem like fun chew toys to a puppy but can be very dangerous. Keep them tucked away or encase them in heavy tubing so they cannot chew through to exposed wires.

Bathroom

The bathroom is filled with small things that can be easily ingested by a puppy such as razors, pills, cotton swabs, and soap. When you don’t have a puppy you can generally leave these things on a bathroom counter, but with a puppy around it is best to put it in a cabinet or drawer.

Also, it is important to keep the toilet lid closed. Small dogs can jump in and drown, and it is also just good practice to keep your dog from drinking from the toilet bowl.

Bedroom

Dogs will gravitate towards things that smell like you, so things like socks and shoes should be kept off the floor and clothing should be kept in closets or drawers, or immediately put in tall, secure hampers when taken off. It is also important to keep small items like jewelry and hair ties in containers or they can be ingested.

Office

If you have an office or workspace, there are many things that a puppy can get a hold of when they are teething like papers, magazines, cords, rubber bands, paper clips, etc. These objects can be fatal if swallowed. Make sure to put all small office supplies in containers or drawers.

Prepare Your Puppy For a New Home

Puppy proofing your home in preparation for a new puppy is not a difficult or time consuming task and will give your new furry friend a good start with a new family. As your dog learns his way around, you can be less vigilant but in the beginning you need to be careful. As they say, better safe than sorry!