How to Puppy-Proof Your Home

When you bring your puppy home for the first time, you’ll want to be prepared. As adorable and loving as they are, puppies can be sources of mass destruction if you leave them in a home you haven’t yet puppy-proofed. Check out this easy-to-follow guide on how to puppy-proof your home.

Seal up the trash

Puppies are curious by nature and ready to discover—and taste—every new thing that comes their way. Keep trash out of your new friend’s diet by restricting access. If you have any open trash cans in your bathroom, bedroom, living room, or kitchen, replace them with cans with attached lids. You could also move them to closed locations, such as inside a cabinet.

Find a cord solution

In today’s digital age, there’s no shortage of potentially harmful electrical cords lying around the average household. To prevent electrocution or other injury to your pup should she chew on a TV cable or phone charger, unplug and stow away cords when you’re not using them.

Secure toxic plants

Some plants in your home may be toxic to dogs. Research each one of your plants to determine its toxicity to your new furry friend. In some cases, you may need to give the plant to a friend while you get your pup situated and trained. Puppies notoriously chew on everything they can get their tiny paws on, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.

Check on your windows

Windows can sources of danger for your new puppy. Make sure you have screens on all your windows, and keep the windows closed enough so that if your pup were to lean against them, the screen wouldn’t fall out. Window treatments can also pose dangers to puppies. Make sure you have pet-friendly window treatments without cords or other dangerous components attached to them.