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