My Classified Central




Fido's Fortress: Puppy Proofing Your Home

It's safe to say, my dog has me well trained. My "best friend" since she was six weeks old, my precious pup is now a fourteen year old peke-a-poo, missing teeth, missing vision, and missing manners. She growls at me whenever she wants MY dinner, she awakes me at three a.m. so I can give her a drink from my glass and free her from having to walk the ten steps to her water bowl, and she bites me whenever I accidentally touch her as she sleeps in our bed (90 percent of the bed, she has decided, belongs to her ten pound frame). Yes, it's fair to say, when it comes to my dog, I am nothing if not obedient.

I'd like to say it hasn't always been like this; I'd like to claim that I once had the upper hand and behaved like, well, the superior species. But, the truth is, I never did. Even before I brought her home, I found myself running around and getting things ready for her arrival. I bought her everything she needed, stopping just short of getting her a diamond studded collar from Tiffany's, and I puppy proofed my house; I puppy proofed my house like a maniac: there was no way my dog was going to get hurt in my, oh I'm sorry, her, home.

This brings me to the topic of puppy proofing. As essential as it is, it's not that hard to overlook; new dog owners might find themselves forgetting to make a safe environment as they become so wrapped up simply in loving their puppy. Still, puppy proofing your house helps you assure that you will have a puppy to love. So, before you bring home your new bundle of joy, try to engage in the following:

Secure your cords: Like moths to flames, puppies have been known to flock towards electrical cords, placing them in their mouths, and chewing away. Not only does this ruin your cord, but it can give your puppy quite a shock. To avoid this, keep cords out of the area where your puppy will be. If it's impossible to keep cords out completely - if your puppy is in the TV room, it might be hard to not have a cord for your plasma television - place them out of your puppy's reach: hang them from something high, tape them to the wall, or purchase a wire cover.

Guard your Balcony: All puppies have some Christopher Columbus in them: they like to explore. While this is often harmless, when a puppy starts to explore high areas, such as a deck or upstairs balcony, they run the risk of falling. Since you probably won't be able to keep an eye on your puppy twenty four hours a day, buying a balcony guard is your best bet. A balcony guard allows your puppy to explore higher areas all while assuring that he or she won't suddenly be thrown off course.

Latch Your Cabinets: If there's one thing puppies know how to do, it's get into things they shouldn't. Cabinets, particularly ones that house kitchen or bathroom trash, are prime goals for puppy pursuing. If successful in their venture, puppies can find things in cabinets that could harm them: household cleaners, chicken bones, mouse traps, bleach. Simply putting latches on your cabinets can assure your puppy won't be able to open the door on this danger.

Hang Your Plants: I remember my dog, as a puppy, had an affinity for getting into plants. Sometimes she would dig them up, sometimes she would pee on them, and sometimes - mistaking them for a salad bar - she would eat them. This, turns out, wasn't a good idea: some plants are edible, but others can be poisonous. Your veterinarian can provide you with a list of plants that are harmful to pets, including Aloe Vera, tomato plants, rhododendron, English Ivy, and mistletoe. Instead of leaving these, or any plants, on ground level, hang them from the ceiling. Chances are your puppy won't figure out how to use a ladder.

Puppy proofing your home can take time and money. But, it's worth it all in the end. It helps us keep our best friend safe, which speaks to those of us who know that there is no such thing as "just a dog."

Jennifer Jordan is the senior editor for http://www.etodoors.com. Someone who changes her mind every five minutes, her house is in a perpetual state of home improvement.



Article by Jennifer Jordan

Keywords: puppy proofing your home, dog safety, puppy safety, puppy training, new puppies, cabinet latches

We deliver articles like below right to your inbox for free:

Your Training Attitude and Your Dogs by John Wahl
In the last couple of months I have been asked how to train or get the attention of the so called Hard Headed dog. This is not an easy answer since I am not right there looking at the training situation and the dog involved. Sometimes it's how the training situation is approached and your attitude not just the dogs. Sometimes you have to trick the dog into believing that it's his/her idea and not yours. I have actually seen people train with the approach and attitude that they were go...

Puppies Good Subject For A Pet Picture by Allison Ayson
Ever since digital photography came to mutiny, one of the nicest subjects used were puppies. Naturally, dogs have a talent when it comes to picture charming. Perhaps it is the way they move that they are considered one of the best subjects in digital photography. Although puppies make great subjects, they may become tiring to power at period. Because puppies cannot be qualified like humans do, you basic to continue your patience a little bit to capture great shots. Taking cinema might...

Advantage Flea Treatment for Cats by Dror Kartas
The use of drugs on the pets is not very safe at times. One needs to be extra careful in selecting drugs for pets, because there is no substitute to the comfort and health of the pet. With regard to the care of cats, one needs to be a step ahead in care as the pet demands attention from the pet owner. Advantage flea control for cats is considered to be the ideal drug for use on cats. The brand has gained the confidence of the people in the market, and everyday the popularity graph is on...

THE "SOCIALIZATION PHASE" OF PUPPY TRAINING by Shawn Almgren
Puppy socialization starts in the early 16 weeks of a dog's life, which is considered as the core of puppy training. It is the most important aspect of the puppy training wherein the dog learns to associate himself with the outside world, the family in which he is residing, strangers, other animals, environment etc. Puppy socialization is basically a type of dog grooming to train puppies where they are being taught to expose, introduce desensitizes to the sights sounds, tastes, smell and touch...

More People are Raising Chickens by Carole Dejarnatt
There is a movement across the nation, more and more people are starting to raise chickens. Whether it be the state of the economy or people just wanting to get back to the basics--people are looking for ways to be a little more self-sufficient and having eggs supplied by your own animals is one of many ways. Along with the interest in raising chickens you need to be aware of some of the poultry equipment required to maintain your new flock. Some people just jump right in without a thought-...