|
|
 Puppies are
notorious at getting into trouble, chewing or shredding dangerous
objects, or personal belongings that are off limits to tiny teeth. In a
matter of minutes, a single, small pup can cause hundreds, even
thousands of dollars worth of damage, and seriously injure themselves in
the process.
If you don't want your puppy's first days at home to be a series of
reprimands, "No. Leave that alone. Get out of there. Drop that. Stop
it.” If you don’t want your puppy to think his name is NO NO BAD DOG,
then puppy-proof your house and yard before he arrives. Think of it as
child-proofing your home, except that a puppy is smaller and more active
than a baby and can therefore get into more things.
Put up barricades or baby gates across areas where the puppy isn't
allowed. Close doors, cabinets, and drawers to rooms or storage spaces
where pup could get into trouble. Since a puppy believes that it's okay
to chew anything that is within reach, provide plenty of toys to keep
him busy. And always, keep a close eye on what puppy is doing, no matter
how well you have prepared your home for his arrival.
Here are some precautions you can take to get your home ready and keep
puppy safe. Spray a repellant, such as Phooey on objects such as chair
legs, that cannot be placed out of harm's way. Pick up, put away,
secure, hide or keep puppy away from or out of reach:
* Small pets such as hamsters and fish tanks;
* Houseplants, some of which are poisonous, including the dead leaves.
Check with your vet or green house before adding new plants;
* Some children's toys have small parts;
* Crayons, pens, pencils, paper clips, pins, tacks, staples;
* Paper shredder;
* Books, magazines, mail, newspapers, important documents;
* Money, paper or coin, credit cards, checks;
* Electrical cords or wires;
* Telephone cords, computer cables;
* Drawstrings from draperies or blinds
* Television and other remotes controls, VCR tapes;
* Knick-knacks, figurines, or collectibles, heavy items like lamps that
can get pulled own or knocked over;
* Firewood or debris from fireplaces;
* Pillows, fabric arm covers, afghans or throws
* Throw rugs, bathmats
* Candles, potpourri, air fresheners;
* Food, candy dishes, food crumbs, bones or discarded cooking items;
* Ovens, cooktops or hot pans;
* Puppy's food and treats (can overeat and get ill or bloat)
* Alcoholic beverages
* Trash compactor, garbage and trash cans or bags;
* Paper towels and napkins, clean or dirty;
* Tissues or toilet paper;
* Bed and bath linens;
* Clothing, gloves, hats, shoes, dirty laundry;
* Jewelry, combs, toothbrushes, hair ribbons or pins
* Medications, drugs, toiletries, cosmetics;
* Personal Razor’s left in the bathroom trashcan.
* Cleaning items, rags, sponges, household chemicals, detergents;
* Sporting equipment, hunting or fishing gear, craft-working items;
* Tools, nails, string, fasteners, glue.
Garages, basements and attics may be filled with so many hazardous
objects, that it's best to prevent puppy from entering these rooms at
all. After puppy-proofing indoors, do the yard area to which pup will
have access.
* Check fencing for weak or broken areas where puppy could escape. Lock
fence gates.
* Do not let puppy near a swimming pool or pond where he could fall in
and drown.
* If using
electrical fence for older dogs, cut it off until puppy is at least 12
weeks old.
* Many outdoor plants, flowers and shrubs are poisonous. Plant only in
gardens where puppy will not be permitted. Check with a veterinarian or
landscaper about what plants to avoid. Also, don't let puppy eat his way
through your vegetable garden.
* Don't use fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides on the ground in
puppy's area if possible. If these chemicals must be used, keep the pup
off the lawn for at least 48 hours afterwards. Check with your vet
before allowing puppy back into a treated yard.
* Leave puppy in the house while working on the lawn. Put away all
gardening tools, such as hoses and rakes, when finished using them.
* Keep puppy's potty area clean -- scoop the poop daily!
* Always watch puppy when he is playing outdoors and inside.
When you think you're finished puppy-proofing, go room to room, and look
at each and every item. Do you see something you missed before? Are
there objects in which puppy could get caught or tangled? that could be
pulled down or ripped up? Ask yourself, "If I were a puppy, would this
be an interesting place to explore? Would this be fun to chew, shred,
carry or hide? " Once you've made your household safe for puppy and your
belongings, introduce him to his new environment and watch him happily
adapt to his new home.
Angie Young
German Shepherd Breeder
Chattanooga, Tennessee
423-595-8317
camelotshepherds@comcast.net
|
