A cute dalmatian puppy chewing on a boot

Puppy proofing your home is essential.

Having a puppy in your home is a big responsibility. It is almost like having an agile toddler roaming around the house: they stick things in their mouth and make large messes. You can minimize these behaviors, which will help encourage good behavior from your pet. Here are some of our most helpful tips when puppy proofing your home.

Pet gates, play pens and crates

Having a “safe zone” for your puppy. This will help a lot, as your puppy is getting used to living in your home with you. Giving puppies freedom to roam unsupervised can lead to chewing on furniture or potty accidents. Instead, try setting up a smaller space, like a play pen or small room. If you do not have a space like this, you can always purchase a sturdy play pen for your puppy. In their new “room” you can place your puppy’s water and food bowls, chew toys or their Kong, and their crate with the door left open. Now you have a place to keep your puppy out of trouble when you have other business to attend to.

Reorganize

Try viewing your home from a puppy perspective. Look for anything that might be within your puppy’s reach, and either store it away for now or place it on a higher shelf. You want to ensure your puppy doesn’t have access to breakable decorations, smaller choking hazards, or any toxic plants or essential oils. Be mindful of countertops and keep any objects or food out of reach or inside a cupboard to prevent your dog from counter surfing.

Do some cable management

Puppies will want to pull on and chew anything they can find. If you have a TV or computer setup in your home, take some time to organize the cables and hide them behind furniture or cable covers. Not only will this help protect your puppy from getting hurt, but it will also help make your home look tidier!

Invest in trash cans with locking lids

In order to prevent puppies from investigating the trash cans, you should ensure they remain off limits at all times. As soon as your puppy finds out they can get “yummy” food from the trash, they will know where to go when they want another snack. Keeping a trash can with a locking lid can prevent these shenanigans, and ensure your puppy has no interest in the trash can.

Get in the habit of keeping room doors closed

When you start to give your puppy more freedom around the house, it is important that you do it in small increments. You don’t want to give them full roam of the entire property all at once. Try keeping your doors closed, so you can slowly introduce more space as your puppy acclimates to the house.

Purchase several chew toys

Redirection is important for teaching puppies what is appropriate. As they go through their chewing stage, puppies will need to chew to soothe their gums as their adult teeth grow in. Finding toys like ropes, tough chews, and rubber chews will help give them something to put their teeth on that isn’t your furniture. To keep them engaged and interested in their toys and chews, not your furniture, rotate your puppy’s toys, so that they have “new” things to play with and chew on each day.

If you are having trouble with puppy proofing your home, if you have any questions, or need help with puppy training, contact our office to speak with a trainer at 786-299-1552.