It is great that you decided to expand your family by bringing home a puppy. Before you bring your little one to its new home you must first Puppy-
Proof it.
Puppies are just like babies; although their curiosity is cute it can often get them into troubling and potentially hazardous situations. Puppies have a much lower view point than you do while you’re standing up, so it is not uncommon for them to be attracted to things you can not see.
Even though situations may arise that might catch you off guard, if you follow this few tips below you will most certainly be prepared for the most common situations. Puppy parenthood is a lot of responsibility but following these guidelines makes it a little easier.
1. Purchase a crate for your puppy. Your puppy should be confined to a safe area both inside and outside your home. You should NEVER LEAVE YOUR PUPPY UNSUPERVISED. The nature of a puppy’s curiosity could get them into trouble.
2. Keep your puppy off balconies and high porches and decks. Make sure that all doors and windows are closed securely.
3. Make sure all cords are up safely and securely. Puppies love to chew while they are teething and chewing on an electrical cord can have some serious and potentially life-threatening repercussions. You might also want to cover outlets with plug covers.
4. Keep all cleaning supplies locked up safely and securely. Your puppy ingesting cleaning supplies such as bleach, detergent, mothballs, antifreeze, insect repellent, and a host of other items can prove fatal. It is ideal to keep these items on high shelf in a locked closet.
5. Keep house plants out of your puppy's reach. Some house plants are potentially poisonous to dogs. Click here for a list for the most common dangerous house plants.
6. Keep plastic bags, plastic holders, tarps, and garbage bags out of your puppy’s reach. They might become entangled in the plastic and suffocate or chew it and ingest it which will cause digestive troubles.
7. Never leave medications (prescription or over the counter) out and in your puppy’s reach. Your puppy ingesting medications not prescribed by their veterinarian can be fatal.
8. Make sure your puppy is in the house before closing your doors. It is not uncommon for puppies to dart out the house and wander off leaving the safety and security of your home.
9. Keep your toilet seat down at all times. Your puppy may get hurt by the lid if it falls down on them.
Follow these tips and you will be on your way to a wonderfully puppy-proofed home. Your puppy will look to you for safety and security, so do right by you and your puppy and keep them safe, happy, and healthy.
