Ah, puppies . . . We’re so adorable, filled with boundless energy and curious about any-and-everything around us. That's why taking steps to puppy-proof your home will go a long way in protecting us from harm. And on the flip side, your precautions will also safeguard your belongings from possible damage.
Your first task is to observe things from a puppy's point of view. How? It’s simple. Go from room to room; get down on your hands and knees and take a good look for anything that we might be enticed by. Remember, we are new to the world and like toddlers, we are inclined to explore our surroundings by putting things in our mouth and poking around in nooks and crannies.
Be mindful of cleaning supplies and personal care items that are stored in low storage areas like under the kitchen sink and in bathroom cabinets. Needless to say, the ingredients in these products are extremely harmful and can even cause death. If the cabinet doors can be easily pried open, think about storing these items in some other place. Another option is to purchase plastic childproof cabinet locks that can be temporarily attached to the handles or knobs. When mom and dad had Bucko, a blue and gold macaw, they had childproof locks on every cupboard door in the house. These safety locks can usually be found online or in local stores that carry baby supplies. Also remember that most of us are allergic to chocolate and raisins, so ensure that you keep these tasty morsels stored in high cupboards because if we eat them it could be fatal. Some of us are also allergic to grapes so do not leave them where we can get to them.
Electrical Cords
You can’t imagine how tantalizing an electrical cord is, especially when it's looping down from a table or desk. "I can jump at it, pull on it, wrestle with it and even gnaw on it," we all think to ourselves. The dangers are obvious: a falling lamp or electrocution can cause serious injury or worse. Wrap up loose hanging electrical cords or at least block access to them. And for cords that need to run across the floor, enclose them in rubber or plastic cord/cable runners that can be purchased at an office supply outlet or home improvement store.
Plants
Household plants are attractive to most animals, especially puppies. However, most of them are toxic to us. Ingesting a bite or two can cause nausea, vomiting and in some cases death. For our safety, reposition your plants so that they are out of our reach.
Small Objects Around the House
Be alert to small items around the house that can be swallowed or cause choking such as coins, jewelry, sewing supplies, batteries, medication and miniature knick-knacks left on low surfaces. A few of us will eat any small object that will fit in our mouth, so until you are sure about us, keep small objects where we cannot get to them. You don’t want an emergency operation to be necessary to remove a small toy or ornament from our stomach. Believe it or not, I heard of a dog that ate stones and he had to have expensive operations on a regular basis. And don't forget to block access to trash receptacles in the kitchen, your home office and even the bathroom. Now speaking of bathrooms . . .
The Toilet (Or, "Beyond the Great Rim")
To an adventurous puppy, the challenge of climbing up, up and over the rim of your toilet is a tail-wagging delight. Unfortunately, falling head-first into this big, slippery bowl of water is not so delightful especially for a smaller-sized pup. Simple solution: make it a house rule to keep the bathroom door closed at all times because even as we get bigger, some of us like to use the toilet as a water bowl.
Puppy-proofing your home may seem like a hassle but providing the safest environment possible is a necessity. After all, we are your lovable, four-legged bundle of joy and we are worth it. We don’t mean to be destructive or troublesome, but like a child, we are adventurous and we want to learn everything we can about our new home and environment. We also want to learn what the rules are. We can’t abide by them if we do not learn what they are.
Until next time,
Teia
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