Checklist to Puppy Proofing Your Home

TAMPA, Fla. - Oct. 11, 2018 - PRLog -- Getting a new puppy is an exciting time, but welcoming a new member into your household takes preparation. Puppies are delicate creatures that like to explore everything (usually with their mouths) and get into all sorts of trouble. If you think you don't need a checklist for puppy-proofing your home, think again!

To us humans, our homes are safe havens of relaxation and peace, but a closer look can reveal many potential hazards (http://www.conchokennelclub.org/HANDOUT%20Hazards%20to%20your%20Puppy.pdf) for a puppy. To ensure your puppy will be safe and comfortable in your home; there are a few things you should know. There will likely be some changes to make as well, both for the safety of your puppy and of your stuff. Here's our checklist to puppy-proofing your home:

1. Secure Things They Could Chew

One of the primary risk factors for a new puppy in a non-proofed house are all the various sources of things your doggie could chew on. There are many things your dog could mistake for a chew toy - cords, trash can contents, cleaning liquids in your lower kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Make sure all cables are adequately covered and out of the puppy's reach. The same goes for trash and anything that can be poisonous. Double-check whether you have any plants that are toxic, too.

2. Provide a Safe Space

Your new puppy will need a safe space and a base from where their initial explorations will start. That space can be anything: a pen, a crate, or even a warm, comfortable dog bed in an enclosed area. The most important thing is to clear out space where the puppy will spend most of their time initially and make it completely safe by placing clear physical boundaries your pet won't be able to cross.

3. Eliminate Temptation

When you have a new puppy in your home, accidents can happen, especially before you've had the chance to train it. It is why it's important to choose an easy-to-clean space for them and keep them away from any furniture or household items you wouldn't want to be damaged. For example, tile flooring (http://tampatile.com/contact/) is exceptionally accident-resistant, easily wiped and also difficult to damage. It poses much less of a temptation for a curious puppy than your fluffy living room rug, and it's always good to take this approach when figuring out where in the house to base your puppy during its first days.

4. Keep Them Away from Heights

Clumsy puppies steal our hearts, but it's important to remember that they're also quite fragile, which isn't a good combination with high places. Depending on how small the puppy is, it could even get injured by falling or jumping off a sofa. To keep your puppy safe until it's older and nimbler, keep it away from heights, which includes high furniture and stairs. If you have kids, encourage them to play with the puppy while sitting down next to it instead of trying to carry the puppy around.

Conclusion

Puppies are a great family joy, but to ensure they transition seamlessly to a new environment, you have to make it safe for them. And keeping their space easy to clean during the puppy's first few weeks in your home also helps your family adjust to its new member.