We’ve all been spending much more time than usual at home during the pandemic. In the past year, Shelter Animals Count, which runs a database that tracks shelters and rescue activity, studied pet adoptions during the pandemic. The organization tracks around 500 rescue organizations across the US and they recorded 26,000 more adoptions in 2020 than in the year before — an increase of about 15 percent!
Spring has arrived and it’s fair to anticipate even more pet adoptions. The arrival of new furry family members also means you may need to puppy-proof your home.
Tips for Puppy Proofing
Before bringing home your new canine companion, the preparation begins. Puppies, like toddlers, are very curious and it’s important to eliminate dangers in order to keep them safe from temptation.
In the Kitchen
- Install Child-Proof Latches — Puppies will find many temptations in the kitchen, from drawers, cabinets and cords to various smells and tastes. Child-proof latches, which can be found at your local hardware store, help prevent them from investigating potentially dangerous spaces and keep cleaning supplies and food out of reach.
In Living Areas
- Continuously Clear Out Clutter — The living room offers plenty of temptations for curious puppies. These spaces often have pillows, cords and other loose items. Straighten up regularly to keep clutter out of the living space and away from the new puppy.
- Cover or Hide Power Cords — A teething puppy will instantly go for power cords, phone chargers and any other loose wires. Tuck them out of reach or enclose them in a destruction-proof PVC tube in order to divert attention.
In the Bathroom
- Keep Ingestible Items Out of Reach — The bathroom can be a dangerous place for a puppy due to items like razors, pills, soap and cleaning products. If any of these items are ingested, that likely means an emergency trip to the vet and more money out of your pocket. Keep soap, shampoos and accessories inside of a cabinet or drawer. You may also want to install child-proof latches in the bathroom.
- Leave the Toilet Seat Down — When your puppy is very young, it’s important to keep the toilet lid down at all times, or the bathroom door closed. Smaller puppies could jump into the bowl and potentially drown.
- Use a Trash Can with a Locking Lid — Puppies love “dumpster diving” in your garbage. Prevent puppies from getting into the trash by using a can with a locking lid, or stash the trash under the sink.
In the Office
- Keep Temptations are Out of Reach — The general theme of puppy proofing is to keep small, ingestible and dangerous items out of reach of your new companion. The office includes many of these temptations including wires, cords, rubber bands, staples and other potentially hazardous office supplies. Secure wires and cords and keep supplies out of reach.
- Plant Placement and Protection — Plants attract puppies, which means you should raise them to a higher shelf or counter. It may also be worth moving them to another location if your pet will be spending days with you in the office, at least until they have moved out of the curious puppy phase.
In the Bedroom
- Safeguard Your Scents — Dogs are scent-driven, which means they gravitate towards items that smell like you. If you don’t safeguard your shoes, slippers and clothing, they may quickly become toys. Keep these items in a closed closet, secured hamper and picked up off of the floor in your bedroom.
- Prevent Them From Going Under the Bed — Many puppies love to hide under the bed or other furniture. Putting up a blockade around the underside of your bed will prevent them from hiding where they shouldn’t.
Outside and in the Garage
- Secure Dangerous Substances — The garage is often filled with chemicals and substances that are toxic to pets. Paint, insecticides, rat poison, antifreeze, gasoline and other substances must be secured inside a locked cabinet or on a high shelf out of reach of the puppy.
- Remove Toxic Plants — Plants such as lupine, daffodils, foxglove, among others, can be poisonous to dogs. They cause a variety of reactions including rashes, diarrhea and vomiting. The ASPCA has a list of common toxic plants that should be helpful when puppy-proofing your yard.
Protect Your Pup and Your Property
Taking the time to puppy-proof your home gives you and your new companion the best foot forward as you welcome them into your family. Certain pieces of furniture and belongings may be best protected by moving them to a storage unit until your pup moves out of the teething and development phase. If you have an old couch you want to upgrade after the puppy phase is over, it may not be necessary. But if you have antiques and meaningful pieces you’d like to preserve from puppy chaos, we have the solution for you at Security Public Storage.