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June 25, 2020
Just like parents expecting a baby, if you’re about to bring home a brand new fluffy puppy, it’s important to make sure your home is safe and properly prepared. Puppies are naturally curious creatures, and they learn and discover new things by investigating through licking, scratching, chewing, and crawling into all sorts of interesting looking places.
This inquisitive nature can get your pup into a lot of trouble if you're not careful, but the good news is, you can take proactive steps to reduce the mischief and mayhem. To puppy proof your home, you just need to include several key items on your puppy checklist, take a few precautions with how your home is set up, and most importantly, be ready to keep a close eye on your new furry friend.
Of course, every home is different, and your expectations and limits for your puppy will differ from other pup parents. However, there are several puppy essentials that every dog owner should plan on using to create a safe environment for his pooch.
A lot of the ways you can make sure your pup stays safe are proactive, meaning you implement them before your puppy has the chance to get hurt or into trouble.
Here are the items that can help ensure your dog’s safety, especially since you really can’t watch him all of the time:
Another option is to use a series of puppy gates to create a designated area for your dog. There are a number of different gates on the market, so make sure to choose a style that works well for you and your pup. If he’s a jumper make sure the gate is tall enough; if he’s a chewer opt for one made from metal, and if you don’t want to constantly step over a dog gate, then go for one that has a functioning door built into it.
A puppy’s mischievous ways not only can bring him harm, but they also can wreak havoc on your home. Before you know it, this cute furball can destroy your furniture, rip up your baseboards, stain your carpets, and leave a number of other messes in his wake. It might seem inconceivable that something so small and sweet can cause such big damage, but it is completely possible when the proper practices aren’t put into place.
When you gather the products meant to shield your dog from harm, don’t forget to build your arsenal of protective gear for your home. The bitter apple spray mentioned above is a perfect example, since you can use it to discourage your pet from putting holes in your carpet, shoes, and a variety of other items you would rather keep in one piece.
Here are a few other items that you should keep on hand when you know a puppy is about to move into your house:
Often, just like a bored toddler, a puppy can get into trouble simply because he has nothing better to do. Prepping your home and having the right supplies on hand is important, but so is providing your pup with the items he needs to stay engaged and happy.
Make sure your puppy has access to the following items:
In addition to the various supplies you'll use to puppy proof your home, it's also important that you perform a few necessary tasks to further increase your pup's safety. These activities range from quick actions you do by yourself to more thorough ones that will include your dog:
Bring a notebook around with you and jot down anything that needs to be addressed, such as hanging wires and curtain cords, small spaces where your puppy could potentially get stuck, and small items that your puppy could ingest leading to choking or obstruction issues. You might want to also do this “crawl test” on occasion after you bring your puppy home to keep things in tip-top shape.
March 15, 2023