Preparing Your Home for a New Puppy

Getting a puppy is like bringing a 2 year-old child into the home. Lots of fun, but lots of places for them to get into trouble! An ideal situation is to use baby gates to block off the stairs, and even perhaps restrict the puppy to your kitchen area for the first while. This strategy provides the puppy access to the busy area of the house for socialization, and prevents rug clean ups! It is also helpful to crate train the puppy so that unsupervised exploration cannot occur while you sleep, and to assist with housetraining. If crates are used appropriately, they are not only humane, but provide the puppy with a nice safe, quiet "den" that provides security, and soft, warm sleeping quarters.

Here is a short checklist for the home to help reduce the chances of injury to the puppy, or household item damage:

1. Have you checked to make sure that the puppy cannot get at any electrical cords?

It is not uncommon for us to see puppies with oral cavity burns brought about by chewing on cords for lamps, televisions etc. Either restrict access to rooms with loose cords, or make sure that you are with the puppy and closely supervising them. There are cord guards that can be purchased to help keep them out of pup's way.

2.Have you removed items from the edges of furniture that can be knocked off or grabbed?

Fine china can be unceremoniously moved to the floor by one quick swish of the tail, and sometimes the fine shards of glass or china can become embedded in paws or fall directly onto the puppy. Heavy items, like a hot iron on the edge of an ironing board are very dangerous. Pot handles sticking out over the edge of the stovetop, and strings hanging from blinds can all be sources of potential injury.

3.Have you locked away medications in a cabinet?

Puppies have been known to scurry off with a vial or bottle of prescription or over-the-counter medication, and open the package, ingesting toxic quantities. A child-proof cap is no protection against puppy teeth!

4.Have you gone around the home to pick up small items that could be swallowed?

Sewing kits, with needles, bright thread and buttons are a few of the very favorite targets for a curious puppy! Remember that it does not have to look like a toy to be used as one.

5.Are your shoes and socks safely tucked away?

Yes, the best shoes as far as puppies are concerned are those fine leather ones in tiny pieces! Unfortunately, these pieces may be swallowed, causing intestinal upset or even blockage. Protect your shoes, slippers and socks by carefully keeping them in closets that are fully closed.

6.Is the garbage area well secured to prevent access?

Investing in a cabinet child lock can prevent puppy access to harmful garbage items like spoiled foods, sharp bone fragments, raw meat trimmings, and plastic or other items.

7.Are candies and chocolates up off the coffee tables?

Puppies love sweets, which can cause digestive upsets, and chocolates are quite toxic.

8.Has the yard been checked for small items? Chemicals?

Toxic plants and flowers? Is the garage accessible, and if so are toxic items like antifreeze and oils up on shelves? Just walk about the areas that the puppy will be visiting and try to look for things that are in their reach. Don't forget that a puppy will be happy to stand up on hind legs to explore interesting items!

Of course, this list is not exhaustive, but provides a starting point for household safety. If there are children in the home, make sure that they are aware of the hazards of some household items, and the need to "tidy up" after they play etc. Once case I saw in practice was a puppy with a whole stomach full of pacifiers!!

As far as choice of toys, remember to match the toy size to the dog size.

Large toys for large dogs will help to prevent accidental breakage, or swallowing of all or part of the item. Any toy with parts that could be pulled off (buttons, bells, ribbons, squeakers etc.) should be avoided. Rubber dumbbells, large rubber balls, and toys that can fly, such as Frisbees® all provide excellent entertainment and exercise. The provision of rawhide chewies shaped like shoes should be avoided. Too close to the real thing! Recently, certain chewies such as pig's ears have been found to have bacterial contamination. Steps are being taken by the manufacturers to rectify this problem, but be aware that there is no guarantee that rawhide-type chews are clear of contamination. The processed chewbones, with compressed rawhide are less likely to be affected because of processing, and they are harder for the puppy to break apart into chunks (choke risk). Any solid, safe toy that encourages chewing helps the puppy express natural chewing behavior on a safe substrate (as opposed to risky household items). Your veterinarian will help you select appropriate toys for your puppy because they understand the importance of safe play items.