Puppy-proof your home in 5 steps
When your little puppy moves in with you, the first thing he'll do is go on an exploration tour. To make sure he doesn't get tangled up in every cable and sample all your plants within the first 10 minutes, preparing your home is essential.
Here, we show you how to make your home puppy-proof and which items you should keep out of reach of your little darling.
1. Secure all cables well
Rule number 1: Anything that looks like a chew toy will get chewed. This can quickly become dangerous, especially with cables for the TV, router, lamps, and other devices.
Your puppy could get tangled up in them or, when chewing, receive an electric shock. To prevent this, you can easily hide cables in a cable duct or tuck them under furniture so your puppy can't reach them.
You should also always put away unplugged cables, as there is also a risk of strangulation here.
If your puppy does manage to get his sharp teeth on a piece of cable, it's best to replace it as quickly as possible.
2. Place toxic plants out of reach
As beautiful as they are, they can be just as toxic if eaten: your houseplants. It's best to check each one to see if it's poisonous or not.
The easiest way is to store each of your plants high up on shelves or cabinets until your little furball has outgrown the chewing phase. For some plants, tiny pieces are enough to cause severe poisoning or even death.
Toxic plants include:
Ficus/Dragon tree
Spider plant
Begonia
Cyclamen
Weeping fig
There are also various other plant species that can harm your four-legged friend if ingested.
3. Block stairs and windows
Stairs pose a danger to your puppy, especially in the first year: during explorations your little one could stumble and seriously injure himself.
But joints should also not be overstrained in the first 12 months, as the bones are still growing.
To prevent unwanted climbing on the steps, simply block the stairs with a stair gate. You can practice safe stair walking with your puppy from time to time, but especially at the beginning, it's best to carry him up and down.
Your little one's curiosity doesn't stop at open windows either: access to window sills and balcony doors should always be closed when your puppy is in the room.
4. Store medications and cleaning products
Just like with chewing cables and plants, puppies also won't stop at medications that are treat-sized or interesting liquids.
Most medications don't have the same effect on dogs as they do on humans. Even the mildest medication can be extremely dangerous for your puppy. Always keep them tightly closed in high cabinets and never leave blister packs lying around.
The same goes for cleaning products: If your furball gets access to these liquids, poisoning can occur within a short time.
If you suspect your puppy may have eaten something toxic, see a vet immediately and have information ready about what your four-legged friend has ingested.
5. Keep an eye on candles and stovetops
If your puppy heads straight for the fascinatingly flickering candle on the coffee table, quick action is needed. To avoid this situation and let your puppy safely explore the rooms, you should placecandles out of reach. Even unlit candles are tempting to chew and eat, which is not good for the stomach at all.
When using the stove, you can either let your four-legged friend play in another room or keep a close eye on him to prevent burns. The same goes for irons, which can quickly become dangerous if left on a wobbly ironing board.
