Welcome Home : Puppy-Proofing Your House

The following list covers just some of the most common potential dangers a puppy faces in and around your home. To find even more things worth removing form harm’s way, you might want to get down on your puppy’s level and observe things form his or her vantage point. You’d be amazed at the number of tempting “toys” accessible to your puppy that you never even imagined.

Household Hazards:

In the kitchen, inquisitive puppies may not have hands to prop open cupboards, but they do have strong little muzzles and surprising agile paws. If you don’t want to move all the cleaning supplies from beneath the sink (the safest bet), at least install a childproof cabinet latch.

Be sure to keep your garbage containers locked away as well, unless you want to risk having its contents strewn all over the kitchen. Another bit of advice is to place particularly appetizing garbage (such as chicken bones) in a plastic bag and store it out of harm’s way in your freezer until trash day. Other potential hazards, include cleaners, soap, drain cleaner, glass cleaner, bleach, ammonia, and aluminum can lids.

In the bathroom, remember, they can’t eat it if they can’t reach it. A puppy’s sharp little teeth would have no trouble biting through that shampoo bottle sitting on the edge of your bathtub. Make sure all cosmetics are safely stowed in a top drawer. Again, as in the kitchen, keep the trashcan out of reach. Other potential hazards, include bar soap, shampoo, tub cleaner, cosmetics, potpourri, aspirin and other drugs, razors, and cotton swabs.

In the bedroom, you might think your biggest worry would be keeping puppy away from your favorite shoes, but of more concern is what you leave on your nightstand. “People frequently make the mistake of leaving their medication on the bedside table,” says Michael Westfall, DVM. “I’ve seen animals who’ve eaten No-Doze, Tylenol and even heart medication. All of these can kill a dog.”

It’s not enough to have childproof caps on the medicine vials; dogs can easily chew right through the plastic containers. Put medicines away after taking them. A puppy can also find instant death if he or she chews through an electrical cord and remember to keep coins and jewelry away from curious puppies, too.

See that houseplants are those are kept safely out of reach. Some of the most noxious plants are those that adorns the house at Christmas time: mistletoe, poinsettia and holly berries. “Even if a plant isn’t toxic, a dog still shouldn’t be eating it”, says Dr. Westfall, who adds that houseplants are probably the most common things dogs get into that they shouldn’t.

Many people practice their hobbies in the living room. If you paint or knit, be sure to put the materials away after you’ve finished. The same applies to children’s toys such as marbles and jacks. Also make sure your puppy’s own toys won’t pose a threat; for instance, throw out that leaky stuffed animals to prevent the stuffing from being swallowed.

You might also want to think about blocking off any stairs with a baby gate until your puppy is sure of foot. Small breeds would likely be hurt the most by a tumble down the stairs, but large-breed puppies are just as uncoordinated in their first months.

Beyond The Front Door

For many families, the garage often houses everything but the car. That everything usually includes a dizzying number of potentially lethal substances, from paint thinner and anti-freeze to insecticide. It’s probably safest just to keep your dog out of the garage than to try to put everything hazards out of harm’s way. Other potential dangers include rat poison, petroleum products, fertilizer, slug, and snail bait, lead soldering wire, rock salt and fishing tackle.

Some of the same dangers a puppy can encounter in the house or garage can also be found in the yard-namely, plants and insecticides. Of course you want your dog to be able to play freely in the yard. So how do you protect your puppy? By giving him or her things okay to chew on, such as nylabones and hard rubber balls. Another thing to remember when you’re ready to apply anything to your yard is best to keep your puppy in the house.

You may be wondering if your puppy is safe anywhere in your house or yard, as well as whether your furniture, books and anything else within range will survive your puppy. Of course-as long as you provide your puppy with adequate supervision. Until your puppy has worked through that “chew on everything in sight” stage, try to keep a watchful eye on him or her and provide plenty of safe toys. However, what about those times when you can’t be there? You’ll need to make sure he or she has a safe, comfortable place to stay such as a crate.

There’s nothing quite so adorable as a rambunctious puppy. By making his or her world safe and protected, you will have many years of joy from your new pet. Any further questions can be answer by your friendly staff at Hudson Road Animal Hospital.