Ways to puppy proof your home is something every new pet parent should ponder prior to the new pup arriving. It’s one of those things that can sneak up on you, and as the new owner (or soon-to-be owner) of a new puppy, you’ll want to start preparing for your new furry friend by finding a veterinarian, purchasing all the essentials, and puppy-proofing your home. Curiosity isn’t just for cats! A necessary task that should be top of the list, along with choosing a puppy name and posting pics to your social media accounts, is choosing ways to puppy-proof your home that actually work.

Get the cords and wires out of sight.

Even if you supply your chew happy puppy with lots of things to mash on, wires and cords are much more fun! Walk around your home and hide all noticeable, hanging, and exposed cords and wires. Your puppy is sure to find them all, so it’s best to tie up blind lines, and if you can’t hide the electrical wires, get cord wrapping. Cord wrapping will keep all those cords and wires neat for you, too!

Store the chemical toxins out of reach.

Under the kitchen and bathroom sink is where most of us keep cleaning products, bug sprays, sponges, etc. All are dangerous to a puppy, and if you cannot store them up and out of reach, use child-proof locks on your lower kitchen and bathroom cabinetry. Your new puppy is more intelligent and curious than you might think and will figure out how to open the doors to get at those fun items inside. Securing the cabinets is but one of many ways to puppy-proof your home that actually works.

Keep the trash covered and secured.

This step applies to both the kitchen and bathroom trash cans. Puppies and dogs love exploring where they shouldn’t, and the trash is up high on their bucket list! Be mindful that the trash bins are closed or covered; your new puppy won’t break into them, causing a mess for you to clean up or, more importantly, compromising their safety.

Declutter all rooms in the house.

This is for all family members to practice daily. Puppies love to explore by sniffing and chewing, so for their safety, ensure all small items, breakables, and knick-knacks are placed out of the puppy’s reach. This includes your shoes, choke hazard items such as coins, jewelry, pens, pencils, pins, kids’ toys, and dirty clothes left to lay around. This is a way to puppy-proof your home that actually works when the whole family is on board.

Your food is not dog food.

If you store your food items in lower kitchen cabinets or an accessible pantry area, it’s time to rethink. If you use child-proof locks on the cabinets, then you are safe, and so it’s your puppy from getting into food items that could pose serious health issues! Keep the pantry door closed, and while getting into the habit of keeping doors closed, keeping the bathroom door shut is a sure-fire method in saving the puppy from eating the toilet paper, finding chemicals, or drinking the toilet water.

Give them a safe space.

One of your best tools in puppy-proofing your home that actually works begins your puppy comes home. You can protect them by using the above methods of puppy-proofing your home, but nothing beats training them from the git-go to teach them where they can and can’t go. Puppies enjoy having a place that’s their own, and whether it’s a crate, a pen, or a canine corner in the living room, your new puppy deserves a “safe space” to which they can relax and be contained if you’re not home.

Once you’re done making sure you’re using methods that actually work to puppy-proof your home, stroll through your house again and look at it from a puppy’s perspective. Are there things you want to chew, climb on, or investigate that may be dangerous? Button up anything you might have missed, and it’s time to welcome your new puppy home!