Bringing a new puppy home is much like bringing home a toddler. Except a puppy likes to explore the world with his mouth and razor-sharp teeth. So, to keep your new puppy and your valuables safe, this puppy-proofing guide is your key.
Before you bring your new puppy home, it’s important to go through your home room-by-room, which we will do here. Generally speaking, you will want to make sure that you are looking out for small objects as they can be choking hazards, as well as potential toxins like medication, cleaning supplies and plants.
NOTE: The products below are for illustration purposes only. I do not currently have an affiliation with any of the products I have noted below and will not earn a commission if you choose to purchase any of these products. I am sharing to make things easy for you!
Kitchen
Countertops
Most puppies are small unless you’re bringing home a large breed dog. A larger puppy will, before you know it, be able to counter-surf. In this case, make sure the top of your counter is clear and that anything you must have on your countertop is pushed far back and out of reach. Especially any sharp objects.
Bottom Cupboards
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably keeping your cleaning supplies and garbage under your kitchen sink. Keeping these items behind a closed cupboard door is a great start, but for extra safety, you can use baby locks to prevent a very curious puppy from exploring that area. You would be surprised at what puppies can get into!
Stove
If your stovetop has knobs at the front of the stove, consider removing them. A puppy could potentially jump up and turn on the stovetop.
Bathroom
Cupboard
If you have a lower cabinet or cupboard to store bathroom items such as cotton balls or swabs, razor blades, or soap, all of which can be dangerous to your puppy, you can keep them extra secure by using baby locks on these cupboards.
Medication
Medication, even when sealed with child lock caps, can be a hazard to a puppy. If you have a power chewer, then the medicine bottle will be no match for their razor-sharp teeth. Make sure that you have them tucked away in a medicine cabinet or someplace that is easy for you to reach but difficult for your puppy to reach.
Toilet
A puppy may be able to find its way into a toilet, and smaller puppies could drown in one. I highly recommend keeping the toilet seat lid closed. You can also use a baby lock for your toilet seat.
Bathroom Door
Finally, you may as well just try to keep your bathroom door shut. This will remove access to the bathroom for your puppy.
Bedroom
Small Items, like Jewelry
Your jewelry, hair ties, bobby pins, etcetera, can all be choking hazards to your puppy. Make sure that that’s clear from your floor and placed in an area that your puppy cannot access.
Bed
Puppies are curious by nature and may try to explore under your bed. A common concern is your puppy getting stuck under the bed. You might be able to entice your puppy from under the bed with a treat but to prevent them from going under it in the first place, you could block access with under-bed storage bins. Alternatively, you can get blockers and blockades around your bed.
If you plan on playing with your puppy on top of your bed, be sure to supervise them closely. Otherwise, given their poor coordination and fragile bones, it could make for a dangerous fall.
Electrical Cords
For anything that needs to be plugged into an electrical socket, including USB cords, you can try to tuck the cords behind furniture and out of reach. If that’s not possible, you can fish the cords through a narrow PVC pipe, which would be difficult for even the strongest jaws to penetrate. Another solution is using cord covers.
Livingroom/Den
Electrical Cords
Like what we discussed in the bedroom, for anything that needs to be plugged into an electrical socket, you can try to tuck the cords behind furniture and out of reach. If that’s not possible, you can fish the cords through a narrow PVC pipe, which would be difficult for even the strongest jaws to penetrate. Another solution is using cord covers.
Furniture
Some people choose not to allow their dogs on the furniture, but if you do choose to have your dog on the furniture, make sure they are well supervised. As mentioned earlier about letting your dog on your bed, be sure to supervise them closely. Otherwise, given their poor coordination and fragile bones, it could make for a dangerous fall.
You might also want to consider pet-proof blankets to protect your sofa or your chairs.
Small items
As the theme goes, keep an eye out for any choking hazards. Small items like paper clips, pens, or batteries can be either choking hazards or toxic to your dog (or both).
Houseplants
There are many plants and flowers that are toxic to dogs. I have an outline of the most common toxic plants below, but you can find a comprehensive list here.
