Congratulations on your new puppy! You and your puppy will spend a large chunk of time getting to know each other at home. It may take days, weeks, or even months but you and your puppy will become close friends. When you bring your puppy home for the first time, they’re likely energetic and curious about their surroundings.
They may sniff the floor, crawl under furniture, explore different rooms, and roam around your backyard. Although it’s strange to you at first, remember that this is completely normal behavior. Puppies use their sniffing abilities to learn about their new surroundings.
Once they get used to their new home, they are more comfortable with you! While your puppy explores your house and backyard, it’s important to puppy-proof your house so that it’s safe for your four-legged friend!
Here are 5 ways you can puppy-proof your new home and backyard.
1. Move electrical cords away from reach.
Puppies are just like babies. They enjoy chewing on anything they get their teeth on, especially during their teething stage. This stage is temporary in puppies. Once their teeth settle in, their chewing habit will go away (unless they adopted bad behavior).
Do not yell or punish your puppy for their chewing. They can’t help it and negative reinforcement may cause them to fear you. To prevent damages and hazards from electrical cords, move all cords and appliances away from your furry friend’s sight.
Unplug and move any devices with cords to a higher location so that your puppy won’t get the idea to chew on them!
2. Put away human food.
All dogs have an incredible sense of smell. As such, it won’t take long for your mischievous fur-baby to know what’s cooking in the kitchen. Even if you’ve fed your puppy, they will find an excuse to munch on any leftovers you left behind.
Unfortunately for our furry friends, most human food contains toxic ingredients that can harm their overall health. For example, many foods we love to eat contain onions, chives, grapes, chocolate, and garlic—all of which can make your fur-baby really sick.
Be vigilant and keep all human foods in your fridge. You can also store them in your oven or containers. Your puppy may not like the idea but it’s all worth it for their safety.
3. Hide cleaning supplies.
Put all cleaning supplies in a closed location like a kitchen cabinet. If your puppy is mischievous, use childproof locks to prevent your puppy from breaking in. We also recommend placing childproof locks in the doors of any room you don’t want them to access.
If you’re using cleaning supplies, make sure to put your puppy in their crate or in another room. The vapor from cleaning chemicals is toxic for your puppy’s lungs and can lead to respiratory issues later in life.
4. Move or throw away non-toxic plants.
If you’ve got a green thumb, then you know that flowers, succulents, and plants add a beautiful blend of color and life to your backyard. However, some of the most gorgeous flowers in your garden may also be toxic for dogs.
These include flowers like tulips, daffodils, lily of the valley, and oleander. Consult with your vet to see which plants are safe for puppies. Avoid letting your puppy explore your backyard until you see a vet about this!
5. Make sure your fence is secure.
Your backyard is much safer with a fence. It protects your home from intruders and gives you privacy. It also prevents your puppy from escaping your yard. However, never underestimate a mischievous puppy!
Puppies are curious creatures. They won’t think twice about digging holes and slipping through gaps under a fence. Fill in any holes and gaps in your fence to prevent your furry friend from wandering outside.
Bringing a puppy home is a rewarding experience. But beyond the excitement and puppy kisses, your puppy is a pet that’s depending on you for its happiness. Remember: even if your house looks safe, it might not be for your fur-baby.
Make sure to visit the vet regularly for routine checkups and vaccinations. Keep up with their training. Buy an ID tag and have your puppy microchipped. If your fur-baby escapes, having an ID tag and microchip helps others locate them so that they can be returned to you.
All puppies and kittens from Petland are microchipped and registered in a database. Visit our store to meet our puppies and talk with our Pet counselors!
Check out our blog, What To Expect on Your Puppy’s First Vet Visit to learn what to expect during an important time in your puppy’s life.