How To “Puppy-Proof” Your Home

 

Winter is one of the most popular seasons to bring home a new puppy because of the holidays, but due to cold winter days, it can be difficult to spend much time outside in the beginning. Puppy accidents like going to the bathroom in the house and chewing up shoes are bound to happen until they are trained, but there are a few things you can do to help “puppy-proof” your home in advance. From hiding away any potential hazards like harmful foods and cleaning products, to closing doors and securing trash cans, here are a few tips and tricks to follow when you bring your new furry friend home.

Stock your home with the supplies you’ll need

It can be very traumatic for puppies when they first arrive at your home as it’s a brand-new environment for them. To help them safely acclimate, there are a few basic supplies you can have on hand before they arrive. These include items like food, treats, toys, a dog bed, crate, leash and collar, and a playpen / pet gate. Because there are so many different varieties of basic pet supplies, it’s important you purchase the right supplies for your pup based on their breed, age, and weight.

Create safe spaces for your pup

Mentioned above in the list of basic supplies to get before bringing your puppy home are things like a dog crate and playpen. These are very important to helping create safe spaces for your pup to retreat and feel comfortable from the very beginning. Investing in a dog crate is important for both training purposes and to give your dog a safe, private space they can call their own.

Play gates are also great ways to give your puppy their own space to roam around, without giving them free range of your house. These are often easy to adjust and come in a variety of sizes so you can get creative and find a gate that matches your home. Play pens and crates are so effective that according to a survey run by This Old House, 70% of puppy owners found their crate or playpen to have been very helpful in managing their puppy and reducing accidents.

Make hazards hard to get to

Since our homes are filled with things that can be dangerous for dogs, it is very important that you address these before you bring a puppy home. A few hazards to address early on include making sure your trash can has a lid or lock, all sharp objects are out of reach, small choking hazards like loose jewelry and coins are in a drawer and hard to get to, medications and cleaning supplies are in drawers or cabinets, and electrical cords are difficult to access.


If you have a backyard, you’ll also want to make sure that there are no holes in your fence that would be easy to slip through. Other hazards to address outside include getting rid of any plants that are unsafe for dogs like English ivy and hemlock, and making any fertilizer or pesticide secure and hard to get to.

Helpful resources

The AVMA knows that every home contains a variety of everyday items and substances that can be dangerous if ingested by dogs and cats. That’s why they put together a Household Hazards brochure to help you successfully navigate any potential dangers at home. Click here to learn more and to download the brochure for free.


If you are adopting a new puppy and need to schedule a veterinary appointment, our team at Bregman Veterinary Group is here to help. At Bregman Veterinary Group we make it our mission to help you determine the best course of action for your pet from the very beginning so that they can live long, healthy lives. To schedule an appointment for your new pup, click here to get started.