Puppy Proofing

Think toddler! Get down low and make sure no electrical, cable, or phone cords are out. Start practicing not leaving your shoes and clothes lying on the floor or leaving dishes or the remote control on a low coffee table. If you have kids, make sure they are getting in the habit of picking up their stuffed animals and small toys, which are all potential chew toys and/or choking hazards. Raise potentially toxic houseplants to a table or stand out of reach. Make sure all household cleaners and hazardous materials are inaccessible. Add baby or dog gates to the stairwell and any off-limit areas. The puppy should be kept in a controlled, observable area when not sleeping in their crate until they earn more space. This is the time to discuss with your spouse/kids/roommates, etc., where the puppy will sleep, eat, and be allowed to play and where it will be taken for potty. We recommend that the puppy sleep in a crate in an adult’s bedroom so that you can hear when they need to go out. Kids are often too sound of sleepers to hear them during the night. You may need to move the crate at bedtime or consider two crates, one for the bedroom and one for the main living area or kitchen, so they can take naps near you. If you have a two-story home, have one downstairs and one upstairs.