Puppy-proofing or dog-proofing a house refers to making changes to your home environment to prevent your dog from accessing hazardous areas or items. This can include things like securing toxic household items, covering electrical cords, installing gates to block off certain rooms, and making any necessary repairs to walls or flooring to prevent chewing or digging. The goal of puppy-proofing is to create a safe and comfortable living environment for your new family member and of course to protect your things. You can prevent accidents by following some simple steps.
First- try to see what your dog sees from their height. Crawl around the house on all fours- that will be a good starting point. Identify obvious things accessible from that height.
Simple steps
Store hazardous items out of reach. Keep all hazardous items like cleaning products, chemicals, medications, and small objects that could be swallowed, out of reach of your dog.
Secure trash cans and recycling bins. Dogs can easily get into trash cans and recycling bins, which can be dangerous and messy. Make sure to use bins with tight-fitting lids or store them in a cupboard that your dog cannot access. Trash cans should be heavy, so that they cannot be knocked over.
Use baby gates. Baby gates can be used to block off areas that you don't want your dog to access, such as staircases or rooms with valuable items, kitchen.
Secure cords and wires. Dogs may chew on cords and wires, which can be a fire hazard, cause oral burns and electrocution. Tuck cords away or cover them with wire protectors or hide them behind heavy furniture to keep your dog safe.
Keep food out of reach. Dogs are notorious for raiding the kitchen, so make sure to store food in sealed containers and keep it out of reach.
Lock doors and windows. Make sure to lock doors and windows to prevent your dog from escaping.
Make sure balcony grill is safe for the dog. The gap between the bars is not large enough for your dog, especially a puppy, to fit through. There could be a risk that the dog could slip through the bars or attempt to jump over the railing.
Check your plants. Some plants are toxic to dogs, so make sure to check that all of your plants are safe. Especially, indoor plants.
Remove decorative items from low coffee tables, low shelves. Remove all items that can be knocked down by a wagging tail, or things that can be swallowed or chewed by a puppy.
Keep toilet lid closed. Puppies and dogs can get into the bowl or start drinking water from the bowl.
By following these tips, you can help keep your dog safe and your home in good condition.