Does Your Home Contain Dangers For Your Puppy?
You may have taken a long time to reach the decision to get a puppy. After all, it's not a decision to be taken lightly. Once you've decided on the breed and find the exact puppy that steals your heart, you bring him home to your house full of love. But what you might not know is your home is also full of danger for a young, mischievous puppy.
Before you bring your puppy to your house, take the opportunity to look inside and outside for things that might cause problems for your pup.
Inside -
You should pretend you have a young toddler on your hands and try to view your home through the toddler's eyes. Are there items he can reach that could be harmful?
Just like a small child, a puppy will put everything he finds in his mouth. Check the floor for small objects that could be swallowed or chewed. If you have kids, you either have to train them to pick up their toys when they're done or you'll have to follow them around and pick up after them.
Look at your knick knacks on the coffee table and low bookshelves too. And depending on the size of your dog and whether you're able to keep a constant eye on him - make sure the kitchen counters are clear of temptation as well.
Kids should not feed the puppy, especially food that is harmful to them such as chocolate, grapes, and raisins. You can allow the kids to give the puppy approved dog treats only.
Another temptation for some puppies is electrical wires. Do your best to hide them behind furniture where they can't get at them. If that's not possible, try wrapping them in aluminum foil. Biting on foil should be a turn-off for sure, but if not, try using a non-harmful spray such as Bitter Apple.
Outside -
Some puppies like to eat leaves. Make sure you don't have any bushes in your yard that are poisonous. If you do, you need to keep the plant contained or the dog contained.
Check your yard for bags of fertilizer or weed killer. Remember your puppy likes to chew and can go right through the plastic bag to the dangerous ingredients inside.
Take a look at your fence and make sure it is escape-proof. The smaller your dog, the more carefully you have to look for possible areas of escape. Will your pup be able to jump over your short fence when he's grown to adult height?
You can go a long way in making your home safe for your new puppy. Look at both the inside and the outside of your house and address all problematic areas. Keep in mind that the puppy stage won't last forever, even though it sometimes feels like it.