Follow this checklist to give yourself peace of mind that your dog is safe when left home alone.
Keep them safe
Puppies are naturally inquisitive – it’s one of their most endearing characteristics, but it’s also a potentially harmful one. Before you bring your new dog home, you'll want to make sure your house is safe. Follow this checklist to keep your dog out of danger.
Store all poisonous items out of reach
Put household cleaners, laundry detergents, bleach, disinfectants, insecticides, cleaning fluid, fertilisers, mothballs, antifreeze, insect poisons, rat poisons and other items in cabinets or on high shelves.
Check your plants
Many plants in and around your house can be harmful to your puppy. For example, the seeds of apricots and peaches, as well as spinach and tomato vines, can make your puppy sick, and can even be fatal in large dosages. For a more complete list of dangerous plants, consult your veterinarian.
Pretend you’re a puppy
Look at your house from your puppy's point of view: get down on all fours and look around. Move or remove dangling electric cords, loose nails, plastic bags or other tempting objects that are in reach. Pick up buttons, string, sewing needles, pins and other sharp objects, and anything small enough to swallow.
If your puppy swallows any of these objects, they may cause damage to the mouth and internal organs. String and other entangling objects like curtain pulls may cause abrasions or strangulation.
Keep the toilet seat down
Puppies are often tempted to play in or drink the toilet bowl water. This habit can be very hard to break. It’s unsanitary and toilet cleaner may be harmful if swallowed.
Unplug, remove or cover any electrical cords in your puppy’s confinement area
Chewing on these cords can cause severe mouth burns, electrocution and fires.
Close off balconies and high decks
Puppies – and small mature dogs – can slip through openings and fall.
Buy a book on puppy care
Place a handy reference guide on a shelf in your bedroom, den or kitchen. You never know when you'll need a quick answer.
Prepare thoroughly
In the last few days before you first bring your puppy home, give your house a good cleaning and remove breakable items from areas where your puppy will be. Also, spend some time preparing yourself or your family. Small children in particular need to know how to act around puppies.