How To Puppy Proof Your Home

Visiting a breeder with puppies for sale can be a fun adventure, and taking home a puppy of your own can be even more exciting.You'll finally get the opportunity to meet the pet that will be your friend for years to come. However, before you pick up your new puppy, you should make an effort to puppy-proof your home. Here are four changes you should make to your house first:

1. Make a small, safe place for your puppy.

Your puppy has likely spent their whole life in a relatively small space with their mom and littermates. They will probably be scared and lonely initially. You can help your house feel less overwhelming by placing your puppy in a small enclosed area. Until your puppy is toilet trained, you may want to use a room with hard floors that are easy to wipe clean. You can get puppy gates to help with cordoning off an area for your new pet.

2. Make sure trash isn't easily accessible.

Many people choose to confine their new puppy to the bathroom or kitchen initially. These are fine areas for this purpose, but you will want to make sure trash isn't easily accessible. You may want to move smaller trash cans out of the room entirely, so your puppy can't knock them over. Larger trash cans should be covered so puppies can't accidentally find their way inside and eat the garbage.

3. Keep hazardous items out of reach.

Puppies are very curious and inquisitive, and they often learn about the world by putting things in their mouths. This is healthy, normal behavior, but it can become dangerous if your puppy accidentally swallows hazardous material. Make sure pills, cleaning supplies, and other chemicals are put away in a cabinet or on countertops where your puppy can't reach them. Look out for small items, too. Small items can be choking hazards, even if they aren't poisonous.

4. Watch out for electrical cords.

Electrical cords are dangerous for puppies, especially puppies who are teething and want to chew everything. Your puppy can get shocked if they chew through the plastic coating of an electrical cord. Pick up electrical cords whenever possible. If you can't pick up certain cords, you may want to tape them down or cover them in a pet-safe protective wrap.

When you make these changes to your home, you'll know that your puppy will be as safe as possible in their new home. Puppy-proofing your home can help your new pet adjust to an unusual environment more quickly. It's worth making the extra effort before purchasing your new dog.