How To Get Your Home Ready For A Puppy.

Puppies are no different than children. They never seem to listen and are always getting themselves into trouble. We love them just the same. Here are a few things though to keep in mind before bringing home your new puppy to not only keep them safe and out of harm’s way, but your sanity as well. 

Puppies are so cute, but they can also be quite destructive — especially if you don’t do a thorough sweep of your home from a “puppy’s eye” view. Here are 8 things you need to get out of your puppy’s way before they make their first appearance in their new home.

Your puppy cannot wait to explore every nook and cranny of your home — and that includes your kitchen, which can be full of danger. The inside of cupboards and cabinets in your kitchen contain items that, while we find them delicious, can be quite toxic to pets. 

1 – PEOPLE FOOD

2 – TRASH

Some dogs really enjoy rooting around in trash. And while kitchen garbage cans are not as much of a problem since they tend to come with lids, many bathroom trashcans are wide open and low enough to the ground for a puppy to eat out of. Your dog might try to ingest tissues, cotton swabs, used razor blades, or anything else you see fit to toss into the bathroom trashcan. While you can opt to keep the can inside a bathroom cabinet, a simpler solution may be to invest in one with a lid.

3. CHEMICALS

While you would think that something that smelling or tasting terrible would be enough to deter your puppy, think again. Puppies are serious about exploring new things, even if everything about it seems disgusting. Also, some harmful substances simply do not taste or smell bad, like antifreeze.

Consider installing childproof locks on any cabinets you want to keep off-limits to your puppy. Things to put away and lock up:

• Cleaning supplies
• Medications for people and pets (make sure there are no stray pills on the floors)
• Laundry detergent and bleach
• Paint and paint thinner
• Weed killer and plant fertilizer
• Snail pellets or slug bait
• Ant traps, insect poison and repellent, rodent poison, mothballs, and silverfish packs
• Antifreeze

4. FOOTWEAR

Too many pet parents learn the hard way that your puppy has no qualms about making your exquisite Italian leather shoes into their newest chew toy. Drawn to your scent, your puppy sees your shoes, socks, and slippers as something to chew on. Combine that with their tough, chewy consistency, your footwear is enough to make any puppy excited.

5. DIRTY LAUNDRY

To your puppy, this is a scent coated pile of chewy perfection. Beyond not wanting holes chewed in your clothes, it might also be nice to keep your unmentionables from making a surprise appearance in your living room, after your puppy decides to drag them out of the laundry room. One common item for puppies to ingest are nylons, which can cause an intestinal blockage if your pup cannot pass them.

6. KIDS’ TOYS

Sometimes it is hard for us to tell kids’ and dogs’ toys apart, so just imagine how tricky it would be for your puppy. Small pieces like Legos are likely to be either chewed to bits or worse, swallowed. Soft toys, like dolls or plush animals, are perfect to cuddle with, but they are also likely to get slobbered on and chewed up. Chew toys are important for the teething process and they relieve stress, so be sure to get your puppy some toys of their own.

7. ELECTRICAL CORDS

Clearly dangerous, electrical cords offer a lovely, chewy consistency for your teething puppy. Not only could your puppy be killed or seriously injured from an electrical shock, but an exposed wire can also start a fire. To be safe, either keep your cords out of reach or covered up. 

8. INDOOR PLANTS

House plants are a curiosity you do not want your puppy exploring due to the potential for a dirty mess, the destruction of the plant, and the chance that your puppy could chew leaves that are toxic. Here is a list of plants that are common in homes and can be harmful to pets. Ask your vet for a full list of plants that are poisonous to your pup and keep these plants out of the house to be safe.

By keeping these objects out of your puppy’s reach, you’ll help keep your puppy (and your belongings) safe and sound.