Written by Brenda Woods Updated 04/23/2024
Brenda Woods is an accomplished writer and managing editor with more than two decades of publishing experience. She has spent over 10 years covering home services and home improvement projects. Brenda supports her team in evaluating dozens of home service providers, surveying and speaking to hom…
Bringing a puppy home is an exciting prospect, and hopefully, you feel ready for the challenges and joys of training and raising your new companion. However, you want to make sure your home is ready for your furry friend. Follow these three steps to prepare:
For each of these steps, you’ll find tips and tricks below to help make puppy-proofing your home a breeze. But first, what is a puppy-proof home?
A puppy-proof home has all the supplies a puppy needs while being as free from common household dangers as possible. Not only does a puppy-proof home protect your new pup from danger, but it also greatly reduces the likelihood that your new pet will destroy anything valuable.
If your home is small, you may be able to puppy-proof the whole layout fairly easily, but if you have a larger home with multiple hazards, you may want to consider fencing off a small puppy-proof area just for your new dog.
To help your puppy safely acclimate to your home, you’ll need:
You can buy these items at pet supply stores, such as Petco and PetSmart, local pet supply stores, large retailers like Target and Walmart, and online retailers, but you can also make some of these items to save money. Some delivery dog food services can even deliver your puppy’s meals to your front door.
One important item to invest in is a dog crate. When used properly, a crate provides your new pup with a safe, private place that they can call their own.
Of course, you should never leave a puppy in a crate for more than a few hours at a time, but the crate will greatly reduce accidents when you have to step out of the house for a short period.
If you plan to use a crate long-term, we suggest purchasing a high-quality crate. There are a variety of sturdy and mobile crates available, such as a collapsible crate from Impact Dog Crates.
Pet gates are also useful tools to contain your puppy to one space. Until your puppy is trained, you can keep it in rooms with dog-friendly flooring and minimal items to chew. Many pet stores sell adjustable plastic and metal varieties, though these can be awkward and not especially attractive.
If you choose to make your own pet gate, you can match the decor in your home and get as creative as you want in terms of color and size. Just make sure the gate is tall enough to prevent your puppy from getting over it and that the top is rounded to prevent paw injuries.
Even with gates and crates, you still may want to check in on your puppy when you’re out of the house. If so, consider investing in a pet camera to ease your mind. Some pet cameras even allow you to talk to your pet or dispense treats remotely.
The key to creating a safe area in your home for your puppy is to make sure it has access to everything it needs. Set up a play area for your puppy in a space that’s easy to clean and free of furniture, such as a mudroom or a section of your kitchen.
Here are a few steps to help you create a designated puppy area in your home:
Remember that puppies need mental stimulation as well as exercise, so consider leaving them with an interactive treat toy. These toys make your dog work to earn a treat, giving them something to do instead of chewing on inappropriate items.
Start by leaving your puppy in the pen with a well-loved toy for a few minutes at a time until they get used to the new environment. From there, you can slowly increase the time they’re left alone, though you can always continue to monitor them remotely from a pet camera.
We’ve broken down the checklists into an indoor and outdoor list for your convenience.
To prevent your puppy from slipping out of an enclosed area or injuring themselves, you’ll want to puppy-proof your entire home as much as possible. Here are some simple tips for keeping your puppy safe:
Use trash cans with locking lids or trash cans that can’t be knocked over to prevent your puppy from getting into your trash. Nearly half of our survey respondents returned home to find food or the trash can rummaged through by their puppy.
Keep exterior doors and windows closed and locked to prevent your puppy from escaping.
Keep sharp objects, such as knives and scissors, off of floors and countertops and secure them in a drawer.
Keep all small items that might be choking hazards, such as jewelry, coins, and paper clips, out of reach.
Keep all medications in drawers or cabinets, even if they’re in bottles or dispensers. Power chewers can make their way through a plastic bottle fairly easily.
Keep toilet lids closed and make sure your puppy has a safe source of fresh water.
Store cleaning supplies in closed cabinets with childproof latches.
Move electrical cords, chargers, and blind cords out of reach or string them through cord concealers to prevent chewing.
Avoid feeding your puppy from the table, since some common foods, such as chocolate, raisins, and sugarless gum, are poisonous to dogs.
Some common houseplants, such as ZZ plants and snake plants, are poisonous to dogs. Keep them well out of reach or get rid of them altogether.
Your puppy will need exercise and playtime—when you take them outside, you’ll want to make sure that your yard has been thoroughly puppy-proofed. Here are a few puppy-proofing tips for your yard:
If possible, fence your yard to keep your puppy in and external dangers out. Ensure your puppy can’t slip through the bars of the fence.
Put a fence around in-ground pools or ponds—a fence around these areas doubles as a child safety measure.
Some outdoor plants, such as English ivy and hemlock, are hazardous to dogs, so make sure your landscaping is free of them.
Mow and trim your lawn regularly to prevent pests like ticks and fleas from settling in. Likewise, clean up any brush or debris as soon as possible to prevent pests from forming a habitat.
Keep your puppy off any grass that has recently been treated with fertilizers or pesticides.
Never leave your dog outside for long periods when it’s hot or very cold, and always ensure it has access to shade and cool water.
Consider training your puppy to use a particular potty spot. Additionally, clean up feces as soon as possible to prevent flies.
Put away cleaning supplies and electrical cords.
In addition to puppy-proofing your home and yard, here are a few additional tips to keep your pet safe in its new home:
Vets report that the most common health emergency for puppies is swallowing a foreign object. Because puppies often like chewing on plastic, have all family members keep a close eye on what your puppy has in their mouths. Even parts of safe toys can become choking and swallowing hazards, so make sure to dispose of chew toys when they get too small or parts break off.
If your puppy likes to chew on objects, barks at strangers passing by your window, or digs in your yard, try to redirect its energy to an appropriate chew toy, exercise it daily, and use positive reinforcement to change its habits.
Potty accidents will happen, especially when you’re house-training your puppy, so it’s a good idea to invest in some appropriate pet-safe cleaning products.
Consider buying pet insurance to protect your puppy and your wallet in the case of an emergency. A pet insurance policy for your puppy can help you avoid paying for expensive vet bills out of pocket when an accident occurs.
If you’re a first-time dog owner, a puppy can be a big adjustment. Focus on removing the biggest hazards and learn to laugh at the small inconveniences of having a new pet.
Although renters will be able to control fewer variables about their environment—like flooring or fencing, for example—they can still puppy-proof an apartment or rental home. Here are a few puppy-proofing tips to your rental:
Puppies tend to explore the world with their mouths, which often leads to them chewing on your possessions. Here are a few tips to prevent your dog from chewing on furniture and other belongings:
Puppies and kittens are similar but may have different needs. Kitten-proofing a home requires creating a safe space and removing harmful objects just as puppy-proofing does, but you will have to consider the differences in behavior between the two animals. Learn more about the needs of kittens before considering adoption.
If you know your puppy has eaten a foreign object or poisonous substance, take it to the vet immediately. If it’s late at night or your normal vet is unavailable, call a 24-hour emergency vet clinic and explain the situation. The clinic should give you advice on whether to come in or wait until the next day.
If you suspect your dog has eaten something it shouldn’t have, but you don’t know for sure, look for the following signs:
If your puppy is displaying these symptoms, see your vet as soon as possible.
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