As a new dog owner you may find these expert tips useful. As an experienced pet owner you may read these suggestions with interest on how puppy proofing your home can keep them safe and healthy in their new environment. Remember puppy proofing means protecting both the puppy from problem areas in your home and your home itself, inside and out.

Puppy proofing your home – Expert advice

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

Where to start puppy proofing

Puppies are a bundle of joy and are guaranteed to bring a smile to their owner’s face. For some, a new puppy can be the greatest thing in their life. But for others, it is the worst experience they have ever had, often this is down to a lack of preparation and misplaced expectations.

If you are going to get a new puppy, you should take some time to prepare your home inside and outside.

Preparing and puppy proofing the inside of your home

The last thing that you want is for your new pet to be unhappy or cause problems because it is not happy with its surroundings. And remember when you inspect your home a puppy’s chewing and clawing will be indiscriminate because they know very little.

So you have to protect them and your possessions by preparing the space as if a young human toddler were about to be let loose. 

Puppy proofing the outside areas on your property

Many new puppy owners may even go the extra mile to get in touch with landscape architects to make their backyards the perfect playground for their new puppy to grow and exercise. But there are still a few things you may want to do to make your home truly puppy-proof.

And outdoors the garden areas may have many other risks you are not particularly aware of. 

So walk around your property with that challenge in mind – a young human toddler is about to be let loose in the garden. What is the condition of the fencing? Are there any sharp objects within easy reach? Did we leave weed killer or other chemicals within reach last time we were out?

Top Tips on puppy proofing a home and property

As you can see there is a lot to think about when you are puppy proofing a house. So here are our four puppy proof tips for your home. Read on to learn from our puppy proofing checklist:

Be careful with electrical cords 

Puppies are curious and energetic little bundles of joy, but they also really like to chew on things. Electrical cords should be given special attention when you are puppy proofing your home. If the cord is damaged, it is a chance that it could lead to potential injury or even death of your puppy.

It’s important for you to pay close attention to the area around your electrical outlets. Watch for signs of chewing or pawing behavior that might indicate your dog is interested in exploring what’s behind them.

Keep cleaning supplies locked away 

This is an essential part of puppy proofing your home. The reasons for this has to do with the possibility of ingesting or licking the chemicals, which can be toxic to the animal. In addition to this, puppies have a natural instinct to lick their paws, so keeping cleaning supplies locked away is a good idea.

This practice also prevents them from chewing on any containers of these chemicals, which can lead to stomach pain and vomiting if the puppy ingests too much. Ingested toxins can also lead to liver failure in some cases.

Keep all sharp objects out of your dog’s reach 

Puppies are curious creatures. They will put everything in their mouth. This includes your favorite shoes, your favorite pair of earrings, or even a broken bottle. Unfortunately, you can’t control what they find, so you have to do the next best thing – puppy proof your home.

Start by making sure that all of your sharp objects are out of reach from the puppy’s mouth. This includes knives, scissors, and even small pieces of pottery or glassware that they might be able to break off and swallow.

there are poisons everywhere

Next up is to remove anything that could potentially be poisonous for them to eat – including plants and medications. Finally, to ensure that your flooring is safe for pets, avoid any spots where they could fall through and hurt themselves or chew on any wires.

Puppy proofing means you have to fix any issues in your fencing

Puppies are often too rambunctious to be contained indoors or on a leash, which means that they will find ways to access the things you want them to stay away from. The good news is that many people already have safety measures in place for their fencing systems–and your fencing system should be no exception.

There are a few reasons you should fix any issues with your fencing when you have a puppy in your home such as safety, lack of space, and property protection. Your new puppy may not understand the danger associated with certain items around your property–especially if they seem like an interactive toy.

Planning a holiday? You’ll need a dog sitter

Maintain your puppy’s routines

Above all keeping your dog’s routines and location as a constant is considered the best practice to keep your dogs relaxed and happy while you are away. However, some dogs will be very nervous regardless, by their nature or perhaps because they are rescued with a sketchy past. So perhaps you need dog sitters at home. Find a dog sitter online.

Nervous pets – dog separation anxiety is common in puppy’s

The added complication, therefore, is if your dog /s experience any degree of separation anxiety. You might consider some type of pet medication to relax and calm them. But having a dogsitter live with them, keeping them company the whole time you are away means they are never alone and their food routines stay the same.

Dog sitter managing your puppy’s routine while you are away

Keeping your pets at home in their own environment is the best way to manage any fear they might experience. Brief your dog sitter to remain faithful to the dog’s routine, feeding times, walking times, treat times all matter and the dogs will expect the same activities every day. The routine gives comfort and shows they are cared for and loved.

Dog sitting at home keeps your puppy safe and happy

Another reason to consider this way to find a dog sitter is if you have very young, senior or indeed multiple pets to care for. Apart from taking your dog away from your home while you are away, consider the cost of dog boarding, kennels especially if you have multiple pets. It can be very expensive, and made more so if you travel away from home several times a year.

Find a dog sitter for free by joining a house and petsitting platform. But how do you find a reliable dog sitter? Join a network like Housesitmatch.

Check the online reviews for your house and petsitting network – check Trustpilot or Google reviews. It’s worth spending the time to do that to see what real users have said.

Final thoughts on puppy proofing your home

Do what you can to protect your puppy and that means puppy proofing your entire living space indoors and outdoors. make sure you brief your dog sitter about your areas of concern around the home.

Taking care and preparing your home will make it easier for them to settle into their new home and for them to feel safe and happy. And preparing your sitter means you will have peace of mind.

FIND A DOG SITTER 

Join Housesitmatch.com to find a dog sitter to care for your puppy when you are travelling or away for work.

Join as a pet owner homeowner and find checked pet sitters today!

Further reading on housesitting, petsitting and puppy proofing

At Housesitmatch.com we like to share useful blogs and practical advice about housesitters, housesitting and pet sitting. We hope you find this small selection of our blogs on house sitters useful.

Dog sitters check list – Why a puppy bites fast

A working dog parent’s guide to puppy ownership

Housesitters keep pets safe at home and save money

What a housesitter does – Top 10 responsibilities

Top dogsitting tips for beginners

The Affordable Alternative to Dog Kennels