4 Ways to Dog-Proof Your Home
If you are thinking about getting a new puppy or maybe already have a dog but just moved into a new neighborhood, you might be thinking about ways to make your pup feel more at home. Pet-proofing your home will keep your pooch and your home safe. The following are four effective ways you can easily pet-proof your home:
Install a Fence
It’s safe to say your dog will spend most of his or her time outside of your home, so the No. 1 way to keep your dog secure is to install a fence around your yard. Sure installing a fence could be pricey, but keeping your dog safe is always worthwhile! Before you decide what kind of fence to install, there are a couple of things to consider:
- How big your fence will be (depending on the size of your dog)
- How big your outdoor budget is — you can calculate your fence installation cost first to get a good idea of how much you’ll be spending
- What type of materials you’ll need
- If you want to take on a DIY project or hire someone else to build the fence for you
All of these things considered the most important thing is doing what’s best for your dog and your family. Dog-proofing your yard is definitely worth the time and expense!
Practice Outdoor Safety
In addition to installing a fence in your yard, you’ll want to make sure the rest of your outdoor space is dog-proof, too. Unfortunately, many puppies drown in family pools even just being unattended for a few minutes. So if you have a pool, it might be smart to have the area around it locked or gated so that your dog doesn’t jump or fall in accidentally. Dog-proofing your pool area could save your pup from a serious accident in the future. In addition, any pool chemicals or weed killers should be locked up so that your dog doesn’t eat anything he or she isn’t supposed to.
(Fur) Baby-Proof the House
Now that you have your yard covered, you can start dog-proofing the inside of your home too. All dogs are curious (especially puppies!) so they could get into trouble even if they aren’t looking for it. If you don’t already have small children, you can mimic well-known baby-proofing techniques such as:
- Setting up baby gates to close off areas you don’t want your pooch to snoop around in
- Buying plastic covers for electrical outlets, power strips, cords and wires
- Installing safety locks on cabinets and drawers
- Using toilet seat lid locks to keep your pup from drinking toilet water
Using these baby-proofing techniques will secure your home and keep your dog out of, well, the doghouse. Luckily the majority of these items can easily be found at Target or other kid-friendly stores.
Lock Up the Important Stuff
Food that dogs can reach could leave their tummies and your kitchen a complete mess. So it’s important to keep food and other items locked in tightly sealed containers so that your dog doesn’t knock anything over. It’s also important to keep your shoes or any other “chewable” items out of reach so that your new Nike’s don’t get mistaken for a chew toy!
Practicing these safety tips will keep your pup safe even when you’re away. Pet-proofing the outside and inside of your home can be a lot of work, but it’s all worth it in the end. Still, caring for a new fur baby doesn’t just end there – there are other important steps you should take to make your puppy feel safe and loved, such as stocking up on puppy supplies, visiting a veterinarian for the first time, investing in pet insurance, etc.
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