How to Dog Proof Your Home

You bring home your new little bundle of joy and realize you have not fully prepared for the task of pet parenthood. Here are a few simple ideas that are sure to make the transition to animal house much smoother.

First of all, anything that can be chewed will be chewed. Knowing this before any damage is done can seriously cut down on your impending frustration. Before the dog is even brought into the house, take a walk through all the rooms the puppy will have access to. It is a good idea to get down on the floor and try to find things your new pet is likely to chew. Power cables should be moved out of the reach of the puppy.

Puppies don’t come to your home already house broken. A simple solution to keep your carpets from being used as a toilet is buying piddle pads. Piddle pads are a big square of disposable diaper like material with a plastic backing to prevent leaks. These pads can be used all over the house and best of all your floors will stay clean and dry.

When puppies aren’t going to the bathroom they are usually eating. It is a good idea to feed the dog in the same place daily. The animal gets accustomed to this routine and will eventually go to this spot when it is hungry.

If you are not a fan of the crate or cage methods consider investing in baby gates. These plastic, adjustable gates are installed in door ways and act as room dividers. Baby gates can be used to limit the areas of the house your new pet has access to. After a few days, the dog will consider this space its den.

Make the dog comfortable in its new home. By placing multiple pet beds around the house, the animal is less likely to crawl under a bed or couch to take a nap. While the multiple bed method does cut down on hiding puppies, it is inevitable that you will lose track of your new best friend. A simple solution to make dog sitting easier can be found in the cat section of your local pet shop. Cat collars are smaller than dog collars and often have bells attached. These tiny bells jingle every time the animal takes a step. By putting a cat collar on your puppy, you can hear it wherever it goes and the dog will get accustomed to having a collar around its neck.

Remember, all major steps should be taken before the puppy arrives. If you, the owner, wait until accidents happen then you will be discouraged and therefore will not enjoy the experience of owning a dog.