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Basics of Puppy Proofing Your
HomeBy Kelly
Marshall
Getting a new puppy is exciting, but it is
not all fun and games. The truth is that puppies can
take a lot of work. One of the biggest things that you
need to worry about is whether or not your home is puppy
proof. Puppies are a lot like babies, and that means
that they get into absolutely anything and everything.
To combat this you must take the time to safeguard your
house for your new addition otherwise you may be posing
an unnecessary risk to your puppy's health and well
being.
Prior to getting a puppy you need to take
a look at your home. Do you have a lot of clutter lying
about? If so you might have a problem. Puppies are
notorious for chewing things to pieces. This includes,
shoes, clothes, furniture, paper, basically anything.
The first thing that you need to do is change your
lifestyle a bit. If you were previously a very cluttery
person now you need to turn over a new leaf and start to
keep that clutter at bay. One of the best things that
you can do for your new puppy is to keep your floors
clean and clutter free.
Additionally, you are
going to want to check out your lower cabinets. Often
cabinets like those under the sink are used to house
your cleaning chemicals. Those chemicals can be terribly
dangerous for a small puppy. You may want to look into
some locking mechanisms for those cabinets to ensure
that those doors stay shut. Puppies can be very
mischievous, and if you don't watch them you may find
open cabinets and the contents within disturbed.
So, have you picked up on the fact that puppies
like to chew yet? That is a fact of life when it comes
to a puppy's development. As their teeth come in they
are going to chew, and the best way to ensure that your
puppy does not chew your favorite shoes is to have chew
toys on hand. There are a variety of toys on the market,
but one tried and true option for a puppy who chews a
lot is a rawhide bone. These are generally inexpensive,
and very popular with puppies. However, you must take
care not to choose one that is too small for your dog.
You do not want to risk them accidentally swallowing and
choking on it. Instead, choose a bone that is large
enough that it doesn't pose a choking hazard.
Additionally, you must take a look at any food
that you are keeping down low in reach of a puppy. There
are certain things that can be very dangerous to a
puppy, like chocolate. Be sure that you have these
completely secured so that there is no risk of your
little guy getting into something that he shouldn't.
Perhaps the biggest part of puppy proofing your
home has to do with puppy proofing your schedule. A
brand new puppy requires a lot of attention and if you
hope to house train them you need to have them on a
regular bathroom schedule. Be aware that you need to
also have standing feeding times. This will help set
your puppy's internal clock so that they can get in a
routine.
About the
Author: Kelly Marshall is a popular contributor
at Oh My
Dog Supplies - where you can find fleece dog coats, dog steps, pet ramps, and more unique dog
gear that you'll never find at your local pet store.
Source:
www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=573176&ca=Pets |
