Is Your Home A Puppy Hazard Zone?
Perhaps the question I get asked the most about puppies is, "What should I do to prepare my home for our new puppy?"
Let me answer by saying there are four areas to look into to ensure your home is set and ready to go for your new bundle of fir.
First, you want to puppy proof your home.
Ten Things To Do Before That New Puppy Arrives
Close doors or set up
baby gates to rooms you don't want the puppy to get into. Puppies are
naturally curious and will explore. It is best to keep them confined to
one room or part of a room, and gradually increase their range.
Get all plant, small
pets (gerbils, guinea pigs, fish, lizards, etc.), electrical cords and
curtain/shade pulls out of puppy range. Covers for electrical cords are
advisable.
Keep kids' toys picked
up and out of puppy reach. Puppies do not know the difference between
their toys and your daughter's brand new Barbie doll.
Remote controls and
video game equipment (which are often used and left on the floor) needs
to be put in a secure location.
Lift up your
wastebaskets! Gross as it sounds, dogs love dirty tissues and other
nasty things that are put in wastebaskets! It is like their own
disgusting, nose level buffet. My adult dogs are five and ten years old
and will still occasionally sneak things out of the wastebaskets.
Check your fencing
– make sure it goes completely to the ground. You would be
amazed at how small a gap a puppy can fit through! In fact, I recommend
keeping puppies tethered, even if the back yard is fenced, until they
are fairly reliable on the recall. The game of 'Catch the Puppy' is not
a good game to be playing with your young puppy. You need to stay in
control as much as possible.
Keep all medications
and chemicals securely hidden. Dogs can counter cruise and a simple
bottle of pain reliever consumed by a curious pup can have fatal
consequences.
Remember, your puppy is
going to grow! What may pass for puppy-proof today may not be adequate
in another month or two. Be aware of your pup's ever increasing range
and curiosity.
Bottom line is you have
to be watching your puppy constantly. Any thing other than food that
they chew and swallow has the potential to make them sick or, worse
yet, kill them.
Don't forget the tail.
Not all puppy damage is done by puppy chewing. Make sure all breakable
items are above tail level. One good swipe with a happy tail and
grandma's crystal vase is shattered.
Identify And Remove Any Toxic Plants
Manplants that are common to our gardens and homes (including the dead leaves) can be poisonous to our dogs. Here is the ASPCA listingwhich is an excellent listing and resource: Toxic Plants
Third Toxic Human Foods – Yummy Things That Can Kill Your Puppy!
There are human foods that are very toxic to dogs. Chief among them are onions, chocolate, grapes and raisins. It is very important that you make any children in your house AND neighborhood aware of this. For a complete list go to: Bad Food List
Finally, Have Poison Control Center Information Handy
If you think your puppy has been poisoned Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center The telephone number is (888) 426-4435. There is a consultation fee for this service. Use the tips in this article to prepare your home for and take some of the stress off yourself from dealing with your new puppy.
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