ProjectPAWS
CANINE TRAINING + BEHAVIOR PUPPIES

How To Puppy-Proof Your Home

Contents

All products and services on Project PAWS are independently selected by our editors, contributors, and veterinary experts. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.To learn more, view my disclosure policy.

Last Updated on October 29, 2020 by Aimee

How To Puppy-Proof Your Home: Puppies are fun, adorable, and very very curious.  Just like with human babies and toddlers; puppies also put everything in their mouth.  This is how the find about what it is and is they might enjoy chewing or or ingesting it.  And just like the humans puppies are not good judges of should and should not enter their mouth.  In fact some dogs never grow out of this puppy like behavior and need to be closely watched always. So before you bring home your bundle of fluffy joy make sure to puppy proof your home.



There are two main ways to keep your pup away from items that might hurt them, or they might destroy, remotes are always a tasty choice.

Confine puppy 

Crate training and tethering are the best way to keep your pup and your phone charger safe from the razor-sharp teeth of your new bundle of joy.  When you are not able give your puppy undivided attention and keep an eye on them at all times it is best you limit the space in which they have freedom to roam and disappear around the corner to eliminate.

Little Corgi dog in a crate with toys

Crates are you friend!  Crates are also you puppies’ friend.  Crates simulate a cozy den like they were in with their mom and helps them feel safe.  Dogs are den livers by nature. In the crate they can have toys, a blanket or padded bed (if they don’t chew it) and some yummy treats.  Crates should never be used for punishment. Nighttime and when no one is home or everyone that is home is otherwise occupied the puppy should be able to sit quietly in the crate.  Being in the crate means you know the puppy is safe and your shoes are out of harm’s way.

When the puppy is out of the crate it should be confined to the room you are in and they should be within eyesight.  Using a leash, you can tether your pup to your waist or a piece of furniture near you with a yummy toy to enjoy.  This way you can set you pup up for success.  Whether it be catching them needing to eliminate and are able to get them outside and praise them or the coffee table they are jumping up on you can use the leash to guide them to do the right thing and praise them.

Keeping doors closed to rooms you don’t want the puppy in at all is another way to deter unwanted rummaging.



Keep it out of reach

Once again, like children keeping “no no” items out of sight and reach is the best way to make sure you set your pup up to chew on the correct toys.  Many items your dog may be drawn to (kid’s toys) can be dangerous for your dog to ingest.  All too often dogs consume children’s toys only to have the owner find out their pup will not be able to pass the toy, requiring a very expensive and serious surgery to remove the ingest item.  Making sure things are kept out of the dogs’ reach is to save your dog’s life first and foremost saving the remote is secondary.

Toys are not the only things puppies are drawn to, items on the kitchen counter that can be reached by jumping up also pose a threat to your pup.  There are many human foods and also over the counter medications that can be poisonous to dogs.  Having all your items in the cupboard or and out of your pup’s reach will save their life.

How To Puppy-Proof Your Home: Beagle stealing food off of the counter

It is best to plan the location of your puppies’ crate near an outside door to help with potty training, that way as soon as you let your pup out of the crate you can get them outside and praise them when they potty.



Provide proper toys

Perhaps this should be the first part of this article, get your puppies toys, toys and more toys and then rotate.  Having about 25 – 30 different dog toys of all kinds of textures, substances, flavors and consistencies and keep them in a closet away from your puppy. Each day take out five toys for your puppy to play with that day, at the end of they day pick the toys up and put them away.  The next day take out five different toys for your puppy and repeat every day.  This keeps the puppy from getting bored and losing interest.

Puppy with chew toy

Puppies are teething between 6 – 8 moths of age depending on the size and breed. Many toys can be put in the freezer overnight. Fill a toy with wet dog foods and give that to your puppy for breakfast.  The cold on their gums helps soothe the pain and the chewing helps loosen the teeth and is a release for the pain of teething. This also slows down the puppy eating too fast.



Interaction & Exercise

On top of keeping things out of reach, giving your puppy exciting toys and confining them to safe places your puppy needs to run, play, be physically and mentally stimulated every day twice a day, more if possible.  This means you must interact with your dog, letting them out in the yard isn’t enough.  The interaction and exercise should be aerobic in nature for at least 15 minutes each time.

How To Puppy-Proof Your Home: Puppy running in the grass towards camera

A tired puppy is a good puppy! And if you have a kitten, be sure to check out our related post: How To Kitten-Proof Your Home 🙂



Related posts

Puppy Checklist: Everything You Need To Bring Your New Puppy Home!

Aimee

A Guide To Navigating The First Six Months With Your New Puppy

Leslie Brooks

Crate Training 101: Everything You Need To Know!

Alexa Diaz

Leave a Comment