Prepare your home
- Posted on 19th September 2010
- in Featured
- by jvfairbanks
Prepare the House
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Outside
If you have a fence – walk it and check to make sure that it does not have any gaps or holes where a puppy could crawl under
Secure all doors and gates – locks preferable
Identify your puppy’s potty spot and the door you will use to take the puppy out to potty
If you have high decks – make sure the puppy can not fall from the deck
Block stairs so puppy will not be able to run up and down them until he is fully developed
Do a plant check (see the Toxic plant listing below)
If you have decorative rocks – either remove or cover or never allow doodle around them unsupervised
Check yard for cat “litter boxes” – make note of those areas and do not permit your doodle to go into those areas to eat “snacks”
Have a bucket or water container for your puppy to get a drink. Refresh water often
Make sure that lawn care products are not toxic to the puppy
Make sure that cars do not have antifreeze leaking
Check garage for toxic products and move out of harms way
Check all the cars for items that could be chewed on or swallowed
Good Hint: Most yards in the United States have yew bushes, they are as common as maple trees. They are toxic! Many dogs will not mouth them when older because they taste awful (which is why we rarely hear about them being toxic), but to a puppy the desire to play is much greater and can ingest. Either remove or mark the plants with a red marking tape to remind you to keep the pup away from them.
Inside
Remove items from end tables, coffee tables and eye level display shelves
Store remote controls in drawers or keep up high away from the puppy
Move litter box and cat food to an area where the puppy cannot get into it
Make power cords inaccessible
Block off stairs and rooms you don’t want the puppy free access to
Clear off counter tops in kitchen
Secure all cleaning products away from the puppy
Remove area rugs (will become a potty spot target)
Move irreplaceable furniture into another room for while
Remove decorative rocks from plant pots
Move coin storage to an inaccessible area
Removed decorative pillows (will get mistaken for a toy)
Make sure that plug in air fresheners are not accessible
Check your bathrooms secure trash away, close lid to toilet consider moving toilet paper up out of reach
Good Hint: Get a laundry hamper for toys. It has a lid and airflow holes, which permits the air to travel around the toys and avoids musty smells
Before bringing your puppy home, you’ll need to “puppy proof” your house and yard. Puppies are like babies: they want to explore every corner of your house, and they want to put everything into their mouths. You will also need to think about the “puppy quarters”, basic supplies for your doodle, and discuss the rules of the road with your family. If you have another dog you will want to make sure the dog is up on his/her shots along with thinking of pets and children interactions/introductions
Poisonous household items
Make sure all poisonous household items are securely stored out of the puppy’s reach.
Place all household cleaners, insecticides, fertilizers, mothballs, antifreeze, insect poisons, rat poisons and other items in cabinets or on high shelves. Remember, as your new puppy grows, he will be able to explore higher places and be tempted to jump up on shelves.
Check your plants
Many plants in and around your house can be harmful to your pup. Did you know that the pits of apricots and peaches, as well as spinach and tomato vines, can make your puppy sick and, in large dosages, can even be fatal? Click here to learn about the plants that should be kept away from your furry companion. For a more complete list of plants that are dangerous to dogs, consult your veterinarian.
Take a Puppy’s-Eye View
Get down on all fours and look around. Are there any dangling electric cords, loose nails, plastic bags or other tempting objects that will be in puppy’s reach? If there are, be sure to put them away immediately.
Keep your toilet lid down
Puppies are often tempted to play in toilet bowl water. This can be a hard habit to break and toilet cleanser may be harmful if swallowed. Start training yourself now for keeping the toilet seat down.
Some Additional Tips
- Never leave your puppy unsupervised inside or outside, and keep him off balconies, upper porches and high decks where he can slip through openings and fall.
- Unplug, remove or cover any electrical cords in your puppy’s confinement area. It is also a good idea to cover electrical outlets, when they are not in use.
- Keep buttons, string, sewing needles, pins and other sharp objects out of your puppy’s reach.
- Tying ribbons around your puppy’s neck could choke him if the ribbon gets caught on a fence or other object.
- A good rule to follow is that anything that is not safe for children is not safe for pets.
