MollyDogs - Shichon Puppies - Puppy Proofing Your Home

Getting Ready for Your New Puppy!

Puppies are so cute and so much fun to have around; puppies are also like small children and when you aren’t looking is the minute they can get into something they really shouldn’t. Your home should be prepared the same way you would prepare for a new baby except for some obvious differences. Here are a few things for you to consider to help you get ready for your new family member. Of course these are just a few ways to help keep your puppy safe, there are many more, ask friends and family what they do and as always the internet is loaded with information.

A good thing to do is to actually get down on your hands and knees and look around the rooms your puppy will be living and playing in. You may be surprised at what you see!

Electrical cords, these are so inviting to a puppy. What great fun to grab one and pull! Or better yet, let’s try chewing on one. Keep them wrapped up tightly if possible or even try to get plastic runners that cover them if they are running along a wall. Hanging drapery is also great fun for a puppy.

Stairs, stairs can be very difficult for a young puppy to navigate. Usually they can go up them before they will go down them. Teach them how to use them one at a time when you can supervise. At other times use a baby gate to block them off.

Open cupboards, make sure cupboard and closet doors are tightly closed so a curious puppy who loves to explore cannot get into something they shouldn’t. Use cleaning supplies sparingly around puppies, the fumes can get into their eyes and lungs and be harmful.

Small objects like coins, needles, twist ties, shoelaces, etc can all be very problematic for little puppies who are looking for everything and anything to chew! Just ask your vet about surgeries done on young puppies that have foreign objects in their tummies. One of our families reported back that their puppy had eaten some very small stones and had to have surgery! Ouch!

Bathrooms, bathroom garbage is very tempting for a puppy and has lots of wonderful smells (to them!), but there is danger in things like used dental floss that can cause intestinal damage, etc.

Not to mention toilets, a puppy can drown easily in a toilet that he may fall into but can’t get out of. Keep all medications up and out of the reach of a puppy. Avoid using automatic bowl cleansers in case your adult dog can reach in for a drink!

House plants, there are many varieties of house plants that are toxic to dogs, we suggest you Google that to check any varieties that you may have in your home. Tobacco products are dangerous for dogs as well.

Seasonal Decorations, where to start with this one! There is the obvious Christmas tinsel on trees or glass bulbs that may get knocked off the tree and break. Candies at Christmas and the Holiday Season are plentiful, make sure they are up out of reach from a puppy that is on the furniture, the same with Easter chocolate.

Many human foods can cause problems for dogs. The list is way too long to put here again, we would recommend caution, research it and always check with your Vet before feeding your dog any human foods.

Be careful of things like rocking chairs or reclining chairs that your puppy or his/her tail isn’t underneath it.

Doors, when going through doors check, usually your puppy will be right behind you. A good thing to do is to teach your puppy a “boundary” area at your front door, a 3 foot range that the puppy is not allowed to cross so that if the door is ever left open he won’t go dashing out and run into the street. Sadly, one of our families did lose their puppy this way.

STAY SAFE!