So you’ve decided that the time is right for you to bring a furry bundle of joy into your home. Though the excitement and anticipation of a new puppy may overwhelm your thoughts, overlooking essential steps to puppy-proof your home can lead to total disarray. As a responsible pet owner, it’s your duty to make your home a safe and comfortable space for both you and your canine companion.
To help smooth out behavioral wrinkles before your pup arrives home, you can also go through reputable breeders, like Snowy Pines White Labradors, who include foundational training in their packages. That way, you can have the best chance of success with a partially trained pup and prepped home. Keep reading for helpful puppy-proofing tips and tricks.
Get rid of poisonous plants
Though you may love your vibrant begonias and leafy philodendrons, they pose a substantial threat to your furry friends. Unfortunately, some houseplants are toxic when ingested by dogs of any age, so taking inventory of potentially dangerous foliage is critical.
Though some plants cause mild symptoms, like stomach aches and drooling, others are more severe, leading to organ failure, coma, and death in rare cases. To bypass potential danger for your new furry family member, research safe plants for your dog, and remove any problem plants out of reach.
Contain electrical equipment
A common side effect of adopting a bite-happy puppy is finding your favorite pair of tennis shoes torn to shreds by their tiny, razor-sharp teeth. However, shoes aren’t the only thing in danger of your fanged friend—your electrical equipment is also at risk.
To avoid damaged electronics or potential house fires, tuck any electrical cords, wires, and cables away, stopping access from your pup.
Secure trash and delicate items
Another must-do puppy-proofing hack is a trash lock to keep your garbage safe from sneaky sniffers. After all, you don’t want to come home to a floor full of waste because you forgot to secure your trashcan.
Additionally, put potentially hazardous items like medications, cleaning supplies, and open food containers on high shelves or locked cabinets. That way, you can avoid dropping a load of cash on a stress-filled trip to the vet.
Prepare your yard
If you have a yard, consider putting up a barrier between your space and the road to prevent runaway situations and unwanted visitors. Additionally, if you have an in-ground pool, take protective measures to ensure your pup can roam free without the threat of drowning.
As far as grassy areas go, trim them down to avoid hidden critters, like snakes, ticks, and other infectious guests. If you need to treat infected areas, avoid toxic pesticides or keep your canine companion away from doused areas for the instructed time.
Prepare for house training
A right of passage for any first-time puppy owner is navigating house training. Unfortunately, accidents are unavoidable. So, be ready to tackle tough stains by keeping the following supplies on hand:
- Puppy pads
- Baking soda and white vinegar
- Paper towels and sponges
- Latex gloves
Give your puppy space
Your puppy will adjust better to their new residence if they have a dedicated place to relax and unwind, separate from the rest of your household. To create a comfortable environment in your pup’s crate or pen, fill the space with blankets and non-digestible toys.
Final thoughts
When bringing home a new puppy, keeping them safe and comfortable should be your first priority. After all, a happy and healthy dog makes for a happier you, so follow the tips above to scale past transition hurdles.
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