1. Pretend you’re a puppy
Get down on all fours and take a look around your house – what does it look like from your puppy’s point of view?
Remove all items small enough to swallow – buttons, sharp objects, pins – and other tempting objects like electric cords, plastic bags and anything else that could present a hazard to the wellbeing of your puppy.
By swallowing any of these small objects, damage to the mouth or internal organs can be incurred, while objects like string or rope can cause abrasions or strangulation.
2. Store all poisonous items out of reach
Put household cleaners, laundry detergents, bleach, disinfectants, insecticides, cleaning fluid, fertilisers, mothballs, antifreeze, insect poisons, rat poisons and other items in cabinets or on high shelves.
3. Check your plants
Many plants in and around your house can be harmful to your puppy. For example, the seeds of apricots and peaches, as well as lilies and yesterday today & tomorrow, can make your puppy sick, and can even be fatal in large dosages. For a more complete list of dangerous plants, consult your veterinarian.
4. Keep the toilet seat down
To a puppy, the toilet bowl water can seem like a good place to have a play around or a drink. This is unsanitary and like all habits, can be hard to break. If toilet cleaner is swallowed by the puppy, it can be harmful.
5. Close off balconies and high decks
6. Puppies – and small mature dogs – can slip through openings and fall.
7. Buy a book on puppy care
Place a handy reference guide on a shelf in your bedroom, den or kitchen. You never know when you'll need a quick answer.
8. Prepare thoroughly
Place a handy reference guide on a shelf in your bedroom, den or kitchen. You never know when you'll need a quick answer.
In the last few days before you first bring your puppy home, give your house a good cleaning and remove breakable items from areas where your puppy will be. Also, spend some time preparing yourself or your family. Small children in particular need to know how to act around puppies.