Puppy Proof Your Home
Provided by Purina
Before bringing your puppy home, you'll need to "puppy proof" your house. Puppies
are like babies: they want to explore every corner of your house, and they want
to put everything in their mouths.
Poisonous Household Items
Make sure all poisonous household items are securely stored out of the puppy's reach.
Place all household cleaners, insecticides, fertilizers, mothballs, antifreeze,
insect poisons, rat poisons and other items in cabinets or on high shelves. Remember,
as your new puppy grows, he’ll be able to explore higher places and be tempted to
jump up on shelves.
Check Your Plants
Many plants in and around your house can be harmful to your pup. Did you know that
the pits of apricots and peaches, as well as spinach and tomato vines, can make
your puppy sick and, in large dosages, can even be fatal? For a more complete list
of plants that are dangerous to dogs, consult your veterinarian.
Take a Pup's-Eye View
Get down on all fours and look around. Are there any dangling electric cords, loose
nails, plastic bags or other tempting objects that will be in puppy's reach? If
there are, be sure to put them away immediately.
Keep your toilet lid down
Puppies are often tempted to play in toilet bowl water. This can be a hard habit
to break and toilet cleanser may be harmful if swallowed.
Some Additional Tips
- Never leave your puppy unsupervised inside or outside, and keep him off balconies,
upper porches and high decks where he can slip through openings and fall.
- Unplug, remove or cover any electrical cords in your puppy's confinement area. It
is also a good idea to cover electrical outlets when they’re not in use.
- Keep buttons, string, sewing needles, pins and other sharp objects out of your puppy's
reach.
- Tying ribbons around your puppy's neck could choke him if the ribbon gets caught
on a fence or other object.
- A good rule to follow is that anything that isn’t safe for children isn’t safe for pets.
