How to Make Your Home Safe for a New Puppy
Getting a new pup in your home sure is a bundle of joy. It's just like when you gotta make the place safe for a new baby, you've got to do the same and "puppy-proof" your zone so your little furry mate doesn't get into trouble. Pups got this thing for nosing around everything chomping on stuff, and batting things around with their paws.
You're gonna wanna stop any mishaps, boo-boos, or your stuff getting wrecked. Setting up a spot that's safe for the little guy matters a ton. So, I'm gonna break down how you prep your pad for your new furry pal with some solid advice and what to watch out for.
1. Lock Down Electrical Wires and Plug Points
Young dogs enjoy gnawing, and items like live wires are super risky stuff in a home. Getting a shock from munching on a cord can lead to bad burns, a nasty jolt, or it can be deadly.
👍 Safety Moves:
Tuck away or shield wires with stuff like cord hiders or boxes for organizing cables.
Pull the plug on gadgets when you're not using them.
Spray icky-tasting stuff on wires you can't hide to stop pups from biting them.
Put safety caps on outlets to keep inquisitive snouts and claws from getting zapped.
2. Get Rid of Harmful Greenery and Snacks
Loads of common green stuff and munchies we have at home might not be good for our doggies making them sick with stuff like upchucking, the runs, or even messing up their insides.
👍 Stuff to keep away from your dog:
Those pretty Lily flowers
That sunburn helper Aloe Vera
The vining Pothos plant
Spikey Sago Palms
Dieffenbachia with its big leaves
👍 Eats to steer clear of for your fur babies:
The sweet stuff, Chocolate
Tiny fruits like Grapes and raisins
Strong-smelling Onions and garlic
Creamy Avocado
Xylitol - it's what they put in sweet gums and certain nut butters
💡 Heads up: Make sure all the harmful green things and treats are way up high so Fido can't get at 'em, or better yet, swap them with stuff that won't hurt your pup.
3. Put Cleaning Stuff Up High
Loads of cleaning stuff has nasty stuff in them that could hurt your pup if they swallow it. Breathing in the harsh smells can be bad news too.
✅ Safety Tricks:
Put all the cleaner stuff way up in tall cabinets or behind doors with locks.
Try to mop and wipe with cleaners that won't hurt pets if you can.
Make sure you wash off any spots or floors real good after you've used those strong cleaning sprays.
💡 Heads up: If your little doggo somehow eats cleaner, you gotta call the dog doctor or the poison folks right away.
4. Don't Let Tiny Things Lie Around
Puppies often munch on tiny stuff and gulp it down leading to them getting choked up or their insides getting blocked.
✔️ Stuff to watch for that's tiny and dangerous:
Metal money, clothing fasteners, and power cells
Elastic hair accessories and stretch loops
Tiny playthings meant for kids
Fastening clips and push pins
💡 Quick tip: Take a good look at the ground and any low-down areas for bits and pieces lying around. Get rid of 'em on the spot.
5. Set Up a Spot That's Cool for Pups
Having a special spot just for your pup gives them a place to hang out and play where they won't land in hot water.
✔️ Stuff you'll want to have there:
A snug bed or crate
Toys that are safe for puppies to chew and play with
A bowl for water and food
Potty training pads
💡 Tip: Set up baby gates to limit your puppy's space when you can't keep an eye on them.
6. Make Trash Cans and Toilets Safe
Puppies find and interesting stuff appealing, which means your garbage and toilet are hazards.
✔ Safety Advice:
Ensure your puppy can't get into garbage by using a bin with a lid that locks down.
Always shut bathroom doors so puppies don't sip from the toilet
7. Guard Your Stuff
Pups sure do like gnawing on stuff, which means your chairs, sneakers, and other things around the house might turn into their gnaw toys.
✔ What to Do to Look After Your Gear:
To keep their biting habit in check, offer a bunch of chew toys.
Spray bitter sprays on your couches and kicks to keep them from gnawing.
Make sure to place precious or breakable stuff somewhere high.
💡 Tip: Scoot your pup towards a plaything pronto if they latch onto something they shouldn't.
8. Choose Flooring That's Cool for Pets
Puppies might wet the floor while they're gettin' the hang of potty training. So, floors that wipe clean real easy are super handy.
✔ Ace Floors for Little Doggos:
Go for tile, laminate, or vinyl (a cinch to clean and tough against scratches)
Throw down some area rugs with non-slip backing to cut down on the wipeouts
Steer clear of:
Carpeting (it's a magnet for dirt and stink)
Floors that are too slick (they might hurt a pup's developing joints)
🔑Tip: If you're stuck with carpets, go for sprays that fight stains. Cleaning up oopsies right away helps keep those whiffs from hanging around.
9. Make Sure Windows, Balconies, and Stairs are Safe
A wide-open window, a tall balcony, or a sharp flight of steps could spell trouble for a nosy little dog.
🔑How to keep your pup safe:
Either slap some screens on your windows or just don’t open them.
Stick some baby gates up to keep the risky steps off-limits.
Don't let your puppy hang out alone on a balcony or terrace.
💡 Tip: Always watch your puppy when they're checking out brand-new parts of your home to keep them safe.
10. Get Your Other Animals to Be Buddies the Right Way
Having more pets at home means you've got to introduce them the right way. This step is super important if you want all your animals to get along and live together without any drama.
✔ How to Make Intros Go Smoothly:
Make the first few hangouts short and under your watch.
Before face-to-face time, let your pets have a sniff of each other using a baby gate or crate.
Let your old buddies have a spot to call their own so they don't get all territorial.
💡 Tip: Let your pets take the lead—never push them to hang out together. They need to take their sweet time getting used to each other.
11. Help Your Puppy Learn the Rules of Your House
Kick things off by teaching basic rules to keep your pup from harm and mishaps.
✔ Must-Know Training Commands:
"No" or "Leave It" stops them from chomping or nibbling on stuff that's no good.
"Stay" or "Wait" is a big help to keep 'em out of trouble zones.
"Come" makes sure they scoot back to you when things get risky.
💡 Hint: Throw in some treats and cheers to make the learning cool and work like a charm.