Puppy-Proofing Your Home: Keeping Fido in Check!

Bringing home a puppy is an exciting time! Their playful personalities, boundless energy, and mischievousness will keep you entertained for hours. But if you’re not careful, their curiosity can lead to destruction. To keep your pup safe and your home in one piece, puppy-proofing your living space is a must. Here’s what you need to know about puppy-proofing your home.

Prepping for Puppy-Proofing

Puppy-proofing your house doesn’t have to be a painful process. Start by clearing away any dangerous objects like items with cords, glass, or anything that can be easily chewed. Make sure any cleaning supplies, pharmaceuticals, and toxic products are out of reach. Move these items away from your pup’s nose and up on a shelf or in a locked cupboard.

Allocate some time to evaluate each room in your home. Be mindful of what might be in reach of your pup’s mouth and teeth. This is the best way to identify items that need to be moved or places your pup needs to avoid.

The Basics of Puppy-Proofing

When puppy-proofing, it’s important to take into account the size of your pup. Pups can squeeze into tight, difficult-to-reach areas, so pay close attention to places like behind or underneath furniture. If possible, make sure these places are blocked off so your pup doesn’t get stuck.

Besides furniture, pay attention to your windows and curtains. Make sure blinds, curtains, and other hanging items are out of reach. Pups have a tendency to chew, so it’s best to keep these items off the floor.

To reduce temptation, don’t leave clothes or shoes lying around. Pups love to chew on and play with these items, so it’s best to put them away.

Protecting Your Property

To protect your furniture, you could consider using bitter spray or bitter apple spray. This spray is a safe and effective way to discourage your pup from biting and chewing on furniture and other items.

Also, make sure to pick up any items your pup could chew on. This includes wires, cords, and cables. It’s best to tape these items down to the floor and behind furniture. Keep in mind that your pup will likely try to chew on cords, so be sure to keep them out of reach.

Puppies and Electrical Hazards

Electrical dangers are one of the most common dangers for puppies. Make sure all outlets are covered and sealed. Also, pay attention to appliances and electronics. Make sure cords are tucked away and out of sight.

If your pup is particularly curious, consider investing in a pet-proof power strip. This device prevents your pup from accessing outlets and prevents surge damage from occurring.

Designating a Chew-Proof Space

One of the best ways to puppy-proof your home is to designate a chew-proof space for your pup. This could be a playpen, a room, or a specific area of the house.

To make this area as safe as possible, move all dangerous items like wires and cords away. Also, make sure the area is free of any items your pup could chew on or swallow. This includes toys and food items.

Keeping Fido in Check with Love and Patience

Puppy-proofing your home is a process that requires plenty of love and patience. Be sure to keep an eye on your pup and reward them when they are behaving properly. This will help reinforce good behavior and ensure your pup is well-behaved.

If there’s an accident, don’t scold your pup. Instead, calmly correct their behavior and show them what they’re not allowed to do. This will help your pup understand the boundaries and stay safe.

Puppy-proofing your home is an important step for protecting your pup and your belongings. With a little patience and love, your pup will soon learn the boundaries. Before long, you and your pup will be living in a safe, happy home.