Three close friends recently introduced puppies into their lives. One of the puppies in question is an adorable rescue dog named Adeline, who appears to be black lab and some other breeds that will probably come more to the surface as she approaches full size. The other is a basenji mix whose behavior is at times almost cat-like and at others disproportionately destructive — justifying his owners’ choice to name him after a shape-shifting character from Norse mythology. The temperament of the two dogs is quite distinct, but the amount of puppy energy in each is, from my novice perspective, quite well matched.  Some of the most recent victims of these puppies’ wiles include: top-notch knitting yarn, the frames and lenses of a pair of Ralph Lauren eyeglasses, and an indiscriminate number of shoes.

Hence, securing your personal effects from a restless little monster is most crucial for those of us adjusting to pet ownership. Now, there are reasonable and unreasonable ways of doing this, just as with toddler-proofing. You want your lil’ squirt to learn some lessons by trial and error — growing up in a giant bounce house is no fun, even if it kind of starts out that way. The same goes for your puppy, but it’s equally important to be aware of the graver threats to your creature’s well being. Here are some top-down and ground-up lessons for the animal lovers amongst us.

“How to Puppy-Proof Your Home” [from The Worst-Case Scenario Pocket Guide: Dogs]

• Survey your home from a “puppy’s  eye view” – Get low to the ground and examine your home from the animal’s perspective.
• Secure objects that can be chewed – Tape electrical cords high enough on the wall so the puppy cannot reach them, or protect them with hard plastic or rubber runners. Remove choking hazards such as buttons, small toys, coins, and jewelry. Place shoes, clothing, books, CDs, children’s toys, and other potential teething targets out of the puppy’s reach.
• Secure objects than can be peed on.
• Secure objects that can be scratched.
• Secure objects that can be broken.
• Secure objects that can be swallowed.
• Secure plants – Restrict access to houseplants and flower arrangements, many of which— including daffodils, hydrangeas, and philodendrons—are dangerous to canines if ingested.
• Secure poisons – Restrict access to household cleaners, anti-freeze, and insect/animal repellants. Lock up products containing nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol.
• Protect the furniture – Paint the furniture covering with a bad-tasting product called “bitter apple.”
• Restrict access to the rest of your home – Use child gates to close off rooms containing easily damaged furnishings, or to secure potentially hazardous locations such as bathrooms or basement steps. Prevent access to trash cans, toilets, and fireplaces, which are dangerous when in use and dirty when they are not.

Be Aware

• If you would not allow a toddler access to an object, the puppy should not have access to it either.
• Puppyhood is the best time to get a dog accustomed to your cat.

Tags: The Worst-Case Scenario Pocket Guide: Dogs