Puppy proofing should be your number one priority when welcoming a new furry friend to your home. Much like toddlers, puppies get into everything, and it can end up being pretty dangerous for them as well as harmful to your belongings.
Simple puppy proofing habits like keeping cables out of the way, ensuring your shoes are hidden in shoe cubbies, and providing them with plenty of dog-friendly chew toys are just some of the best puppy proofing tips.
It’s important to remember that you should never get angry at your puppy if they chew something they aren’t supposed to. Yelling at them is a negative experience for them, and it can cause them to become stressed, and it likely won’t help your pup learn. Instead, replace the thing they shouldn’t be chewing with an appropriate toy, and make sure you take a moment to review all of the other top puppy proofing tips below.
Why is Puppy-Proofing Important?
Puppies love getting into mischief, but they also don’t know better and can easily end up chewing (or swallowing) something potentially dangerous for their health. This could end up with a pricey vet visit. So many puppies end up at the vet with an obstruction from eating and swallowing standard household items like gloves and socks, which is potentially dangerous and often results in surgery. You’d have to take your dog to the vet if you found out they ate one of your shirts, socks, or gloves. And yes, this type of thing does happen. That’s why puppy proofing is important.
You have to think of puppies like toddlers - you don’t know how they get into everything, but they do. If you care about their health (and your peace of mind), you’ll make sure they are protected from any dangers in the home. This goes for the standard things like clothing and cables as well as harmful cleaning products and even scraps of food in the kitchen or on the table.
How to Create a Safe Home Environment for Your Puppy
Now that you know a little more about why puppy proofing is important, you can start building a safe environment for them to live in. As a general note, many owners crate-train their puppies so that when they leave the house, the pup is secure and safe so that they can’t get into any trouble. So long as crate training is used positively, it’s a great experience for many dogs.
Crates simulate a safe den, which makes puppies feel calm and at home. Many puppies will choose to sleep in their crates and may even continue to do so as adults. Outside of sleeping through the night, they should never be locked in the crate for more than an hour at a time, and it should never be used as a form of punishment.
Not every puppy will enjoy crates (one of mine hated it, and the other loved it), and they should never be forced if they can’t get used to it. Outside of crate training, the below advice will help you to prepare for the arrival of your new bundle of fluffy joy.
Keeping Your Shoes Safe
Shoes are one of the favorites among puppies, and this is because they carry your scent strongly (the same as underwear and socks). They also tend to provide a firm texture that’s ideal for chewing when puppies are teething. So, what you need to do is keep your shoes far away from little teeth.
It’s not good enough to put them up slightly higher (puppies are crafty). Instead, you should keep them in a cupboard or a separate room so that they have no chance of getting to them.
Keeping Cables Away from Puppies
Cables are a danger because of the electrical current running through them. The thing is, they make a tempting snack for puppies, and it can be hard to keep them away. The best course of action is to try and use cable tidies to keep them together and as tucked away behind devices and appliances as possible.
Of course, it can be difficult to keep them away completely, so it is important that puppies are only in rooms that have accessible cables when they are being closely supervised at all times. Sometimes the best puppy proofing is keeping a watchful eye on them.
Preventing Puppies from Chewing on Your Furniture
Furniture is one of the greatest victims of puppy teeth, and so are the baseboards around your home. This is because they are perfect for teething and relieving boredom. Considering puppies have high energy levels, these items are perfect for killing two birds with one stone for them. But how do you stop them from getting into mischief?
First, always make sure they are supervised when they are roaming the house. It’s pretty hard to cover all the baseboards, so if you see them chewing, grab an appropriate toy and get them to start chewing that instead. The same method can be used for furniture, but you can also use an odourless spray that tastes spicy to puppies and apply it to the fabric (it works well).
Some pet parents even put big blankets or couch covers over an expensive couch when they’re not home, but their dog will be, because while they’re home they might be able to keep their dog off their fancy furniture, but not when they’re absent or at work.
General Puppy-Proofing Tips
Right, so we have been through a few of the main things you need to take into consideration, but what about more general tips for puppy proofing? Well, you’re in luck. Here is a list of all the things you can do to keep your home puppy-proofed:
- Use stair gates to section off the house
- Keep all human food well out of reach
- All of your kitchen and household waste bins should be locked away
- Keep all your sharp objects well out of reach
- Put the chemicals and medications in locked cupboards
- Keep the doors and windows closed to prevent escape and injury
- Close the lid on the toilet (seriously)
- Put any and all small objects (choking hazards) securely away
- Always ensure your garden is completely secure
- Got houseplants? Check they aren’t poisonous and keep them away
Which Toys are Best for Teething Puppies?
First, you should never give your dog rawhide chews. This is not just because they are made with some seriously dangerous chemicals, but they are also a serious health hazard. The shards can cause internal lacerations, and the chunks can lead to serious blockages that require surgery. They are pretty dangerous, and yet they remain a widespread chew.
Here are some excellent options for puppies that are teething:
- Nylabones
- Uncooked cow knuckles (from the pet store)
- Hard chew toys
- Rope balls
As with any toy or chew, your puppy should be supervised at all times while they have them. This ensures their safety.
To Conclude
As you can see, puppy proofing is exceptionally important. However, it is also very easy, which should take some of the stress away from the process. Keeping your puppy safe should always be your priority, and it will give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy this short yet memorable part of their life. What are you waiting for? It’s nearly time to welcome them.
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References:
- Cooke A. What to Do if Your Dog Eats a Sock. Falls Village Vet Hospital. Published September 16, 2020. Accessed January 26, 2023. https://raleighncvet.com/dog-care/what-to-do-if-your-dog-eats-a-sock/
- How to crate train your dog. Battersea.org.uk. Published June 7, 2019. Accessed January 26, 2023. https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/dog-advice/how-crate-train-your-dog
- Why Rawhide Is Dangerous For Your Dog! - Dogs Naturally. Dogs Naturally. Published February 20, 2022. Accessed January 26, 2023. https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/rawhide-dangerous-for-dogs/