CHECKLIST

This checklist is meant as a guide to assist you in preparing your home as well as your yard, for your new puppy! "Puppy proofing" is very important to keep the puppy safe. 

 It is not necessarily all-inclusive; examine your home very carefully at the puppy's eye level. Yes, that means getting down on your hands and knees to see what your puppy sees! What will entice him? Look for any and all potential hazards!

 Potential Household Dangers:

Electrical cords

Unstable furniture items, such as pedestals, which hold plants, statues, vases, collectibles, etc.

Cat litter boxes

Fireplaces

Plug-in air fresheners

Stuffed toys

Small children's toys (choking hazard)

Plastic bags

Food pantry

Alcohol

Staircase

Trash bins (contents within, too)

Toilets

Bathtubs

Household cooking oils

Curtain and blinds cords

Medicines (aspirin, acetaminophen, antihistimines, etc.)

Bleach

Ammonia

Drain cleaner

Household detergents and other cleaning agents

Panty hose (can cause impaction, choking)

Rubber bands, balloons

Space heaters

Some items that may not present a health hazard to the puppy, but may end up being costly to replace:

 Remote controls

Phone cords

Shoes

Slippers

Speakers

Furniture

Children's toys

If you have an infant within your home, some of the baby's items can be hazardous to the puppy:

 Infant bottles

Pacifiers

Teething rings

If you have a cat within the home, be sure to keep the puppy away from the cat's food. Dogs that consume cat food may end up with diarrhea due to the high protein content.

Potential Yard and Garage Hazards:

 Paint

Gasoline

Antifreeze

Motor oil

Fertilizers

Chemicals

Traps

Air conditioning unit cables

Sprinkler systems

Old barbed wire

Standing water

Holes and weakened areas in the backyard fence

Rusty items