The summer is often the time when families welcome a new furry member into their home! It is often very exciting, but how can you make sure you are as prepared as possible to keep your new puppy safe? Here are some great tips for “puppy proofing” your home.
1) Tidy Up
It is often amazing just now many nooks and crevices a little puppy can find when left to explore new surroundings, so it is very important that your home is kept as clean as possible. It includes small toys, clothing and shoes; basically, anything that you want to keep safe should be put away. Cleaning up is also a perfect time to ensure that all harmful products are placed somewhere that a puppy can’t access – this includes cleaning products, wires/chargers, toxic plants and medications.
2) Locking up Outside
Your new puppy is going to love running and playing outside, and it is also going to be an important place for them to do their washroom business so it must be safe. A backyard should be completely fenced in with a door/gate that has a proper functioning lock. It is extra important to check for any little gaps between the bottom of the fence and the ground as puppies are excellent at crawling. Make sure there are no toxic plants that your puppy can access and that all small rocks and stones are removed.
3) Creating Safe Spaces
One of the most important decisions to make is choosing where your puppy is going to sleep. Once you have chosen the right spot, purchase a crate with a moveable divider to allow you to make the crate larger as your puppy grows. The crate should be large enough to fit the expected adult size of your dog and allow him/her to turn around completely. Prepare your new puppy’s crate with a soft blanket or bed and a soft toy so that it is ready for when your puppy comes home. Puppies should not be allowed to freely roam your entire house as they are likely to have washroom accidents or get into mischief. Purchasing a playpen or creating sectioned off safe spaces for your puppy will help you keep your new family member out of trouble.
4) Toys
As you and your family get to know your puppy, you will learn their likes and dislikes, but in the beginning, you will have to do some trial and error testing. Purchase a variety of puppy-friendly toys in a variety of different textures to provide your puppy with lots of options for chewing while teething. Stay away from tough objects such as bones as your puppy’s teeth are still developing and are very fragile. Toys that can be filled with treats or food are a great way to keep your puppy occupied while you get things done around the house.
5) Pick the Perfect Veterinarian
Establishing a relationship with your local veterinarian will help you be completely prepared for when you bring your new puppy home. It is important to have your puppy checked out within the first few days of bringing them home to make sure they are healthy and thriving in their new environment. Your veterinarian will be able to help you with training, feeding and making sure your puppy is on the right schedule for vaccinations.
If you have any questions, or if you would like to book an appointment with us, you can contact us at 416 537 3128 or email us at reception.aah@gmail.com.
Written by: Dr. Leah Kahn, DVM
