Puppy-proof Your Home

Everyone knows that a home should be "kid-proofed" when a child joins the family. Breakables are set up high and out of reach, chemicals are locked up, also up high, and light sockets are covered. Unfortunately, the same consideration is not always given to puppies, who are expected to simply adjust and, sadly, receive punishment for breaking rules. Give your canine baby the same consideration you'd give a human baby. * Set the breakables up and out of reach. * Don't leave chemicals in lower cupboards that a puppy could easily nose open. * Put shoes away in the closet, or if they are kept in a back hall, keep the door closed. * Keep bedroom doors closed so puppies don't have unsupervised access where they might find "chewables" or have accidents that go unnoticed. * Use baby-gates to keep puppies from areas of the house that are off-limits but that don't have doors or that have doors you'd rather not keep closed. * Tape loose cords to the backs of entertainment units and desks (duct tape to the rescue). * Keep the toilet lid down so your pup doesn't get in the habit of drinking from such a convenient "watering hole." * If your puppy must sleep in a particular location, leave an old sweater (that you wore so it holds your scent) in his bed so he can nuzzle it for comfort. Once your puppy has outgrown his exuberant, chewing stage, you can safely leave your shoes by the door without worry, and the breakables can be returned to their original places. To make adapting to your home even easier for your pup, be sure to establish the rules early on and don't promote bad habits:. * While it may be fine to toss toys for your pup in a game of catch, avoid throwing items through the house (the temptation is there with the breakables temporarily out of the way). * If the puppy will not be allowed on the furniture when he's grown, don't let him on the furniture as a pup while he's forming habits and learning the rules of the house. * Avoid giving your puppy toys that resemble off-limit items, i.e., shoe-shaped chew toys. If you do catch your pup doing something he isn't allowed to do, don't yell at him or hit him. Firmly say "No," and take the item away, or move him to an appropriate location if he's somewhere he shouldn't be. Give him praise when he is behaving appropriately and remember that he is a baby. If he's of a large breed, keep in mind that his age takes precedent over his size. Just because he may look like a fully-grown dog, don't assume his youthful mind has caught up. He still needs training and lots of positive encouragement. It doesn't take much to puppy-proof your home, but you and your puppy (whether he knows it or not) will be glad you did.