Sharing Your Home Safely - Dog and Puppy-Proofing
Use this handy checklist to ensure that your house is ready
for your pup before you bring him home.
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Establish
a puppy containment area free of loose items, such as
paperwork, shoes, or towels hanging from cabinets. |
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Buy
a crate or reliable dog/baby gate to close off your
puppy containment area. |
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If
you have blinds, make sure that the pull cord is tucked
into the blinds at the top, so puppy will not chew on
it or get his head through it. If you have curtains,
you may want to temporarily tuck the bottoms of them
behind the curtain rod at the top so that puppy does
not have an urge to tug on them. |
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Remove
anything plugged into electrical outlets where puppy
will be spending time. Make sure there are no wires
or cords that the pup can chew on. |
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Buy
latches for cabinets that contain household cleaners
and bleach. Keep all cleaners, antifreeze, and any chemicals
locked away from puppy's reach. Put the toilet seat
down when there are cleaners in it. |
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Keep
all plants away from puppy. For a list of poisonous
plants, see the links below. |
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Use
floor and carpet cleaners that are safe for pets. If
you are unsure, call the company that makes the product. |
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If
you are a smoker, keep all ashtrays, cigarettes, and
lighters where puppy can't get to them. |
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Dispose
of all insect and pest traps, and mothballs. |
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Put
chocolate away. |
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Keep all prescriptions, aspirin, and other medications
in locked cabinet. |
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Keep
the trashcan out of puppy's path, or buy a trashcan
that cannot be easily opened. |
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If you use lawn chemicals, check with the supplier for
pet safety. You may want to keep the puppy in a confined
area when it's outside, where chemicals have not been
sprayed. |
by Rachelle Boatright
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Adopters