10 Point Checklist To Puppy Proof Your House

Before welcoming your new puppy into its forever home, there are a few things you need to take care of. Owning a dog comes with a lot of responsibility, but puppies especially come with a never-ending curiosity which can sometimes lead to trouble. 

The first step to puppy-proofing your house is to remove any and all hazards from your home. This includes things like electrical cords, poisonous plants, small objects that a pup could choke on, and anything else that might be harmful to them. It’s also important to make sure that your trash can is inaccessible to your pup, as they may try to eat something they shouldn’t.

Here’s my top 10 tips for preparing for your new arrival:

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Training Pads

Puppy potty training pads are a must-have for any first-time dog owner. They allow puppies to relieve themselves in a designated spot indoors, which makes housetraining much easier. Training pads also come in handy during times when you can’t be home to let your pup out, such as at night or during the workday.

A puppy’s bladder is tiny and when they gotta go, they go! Every 20 minutes when you first get them home, which can be really difficult to monitor. So, protect your carpets, prevent floors from becoming slippery and start as you mean to go on with the housetraining.

Here are a few tips for using puppy potty training pads:

• Place the pad in an area where your pup has easy access to it, and is unlikely to be disturbed while going to the bathroom
• If your pup has an accident outside of the pad, gently remind them by placing them on the pad
• Make sure to praise your pup when they go to the bathroom on the pad
• Replace the pad as needed, and keep plenty in stock for the first few weeks

Using either training pads, a waterproof bed, or a combination of both can prevent unfortunate accidents, ruined furniture, and slippery floors. Housetraining takes time and effort so be prepared.

Puppy Gate 

Puppy gates are the best way to keep your new four-legged friend out of a room, or away from any other pets or children that could potentially cause them harm. As we mentioned, puppies come with newfound curiosity and if you have to leave them alone at any point (and you should for short periods, to increase their independence) using a puppy gate is the most effective method to keep them confined to a safe area. 

Check Your Plants

When getting a new puppy it’s important to make sure both the inside and outside of your home is free from any plants or flowers that could be poisonous and toxic, such as lavender, eucalyptus, and peonies. Different types of plants and flowers bloom depending on the season, so it’s crucial to regularly check your garden and any plants you might buy for the inside of your home too. 

• The Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Pet Safe Indoor Plants

Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

A new pup comes with a lot of new mess, however, even though you might find yourself cleaning up more than usual – it’s extremely important to make sure that your cleaning products don’t contain any chemicals that can be harmful to your dog. 

Check cleaning products for any ingredients such as the likes of bleach. Ammonia, formaldehyde, glycol ethers, and chlorine can be toxic to your puppy even once they’ve been put away due to the vapours left behind. You can get cleaning products that are made specifically to be pet safe. 

• 5 Cleaning Products You Should Never Use Around Your Pets

Hide Toxic Household Items

It’s not just cleaning products that can pose a threat, the likes of medicine and food can also be highly toxic to your pups. Make sure that they can’t get into your kitchen cupboards, onto the countertops and any medication is kept high up, out of reach. Child safety locks can be really useful for cupboards and drawers.

Keep Cords and Wires Tidy 

It’s not uncommon to have wires lying around but these are a huge risk to your pup. Keep cords and wires safe by using secure cord covers, or keep them completely out of reach if it’s possible. 

You can also use puppy deterrent spray to keep them away from electrical items or anything else you don’t want them sinking their teeth into. 

Remove Dangerous Items

Small toys aren’t just a choking hazard to babies, but dogs too. Make sure you keep your home tidy inside and out. Especially ensuring that anything small or sharp, such as kids’ toys or garden tools are tidied away. 

Keep Chairs Away From Tables 

Young puppies have fragile bones, so jumping or falling from high heights can put them at a pretty big risk of injury. Keep chairs far enough from tables so that your pup can’t try to climb, and if they’re sitting on the couch or bed with you, make sure they’re supervised at all times. 

Close The Toilet Lid

We know (and understand) that dogs can be disgusting, neverending exploring and running around can work up quite a thirsty appetite in a young puppy, keep them safe by making sure your toilet lid is shut, remnants of bleach or other toilet cleaning products can be highly toxic. 

Keep Bins Covered 

Whilst those viral videos of a very guilty looking dog with your bin’s contents spilled all over the kitchen floor is funny, your dog getting into your bin can be extremely dangerous.

Make sure your dog can’t open your bin, by either keeping it out of reach or purchasing a bin with a special lid to keep your puppy out. It not only relieves the risk of your pup eating anything sharp, toxic or something they could choke on – it also saves you from a very messy, very smelly house. 

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