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It comes as no surprise to most new pet owners that their furry friend quickly becomes a beloved family member. However, many new dog owners are surprised to learn that their new family member is similar to a toddler in his/her destructive mannerisms.
Much like baby-proofing your home before your child becomes a toddler, you should consider dog-proofing your home before bringing home your new puppy.
On the bright side, dog-proofing your home is not nearly as involved as baby-proofing is for expectant parents. In fact, many of the potential dangers around your home will likely be of little interest to your dog. However, there are some important considerations to make in order to keep your pup safe and happy.
This article will outline each of the most common trouble areas for pets and provide you with helpful tips and tricks and keeping your home safe for your dog on a long-term basis.
Problem Areas
Even after your new dog comes home, you are probably going to find more trouble lurking in your home. Regardless, there are some easy changes that pet owners should go ahead and take care of before they bring their new pet home, if possible. You need to focus on three main areas in your home when bringing your dog home: living areas, bathrooms, and the kitchen.
Living Areas
Most dogs will be OK in the average living area as long as the room is kept free of small children’s toys that may be a choking hazard. However, it is essential to note that certain house plants and soils can be toxic to dogs, so you will want to do your research if you have living plants in your home. You may also want to tuck any cords away, especially if you bring home a young dog who may be tempted to chew on power cords.
Bathrooms
While you probably do not look at your toilet bowl as a fresh drink of water, your new dog is not going to understand the difference between the drinking bowl and the toilet. As a new pet owner, you either want to create a new habit of putting down the toilet lid or create a unique pattern of closing your bathroom door.
Kitchens
The kitchen is the most common trouble area in the average home. If your dog is sneaky enough to open cabinets, you might consider purchasing childproof cabinet locks. Tuck your trashcan away in a closet, or invest in a trashcan that has a locking mechanism to keep your dog from getting into hazardous trash or from making a mess. Ensuring that your dog eats a healthy diet is a great way to keep them from rooting for food.
After Your Dog Comes Home
Once you bring your dog home, you will likely notice some specific behaviors in your pup. This may mean that you need to do some further work to protect your dog. For example, you might see that your dog experiences separation anxiety. If this is the case, you may need to remove items that a dog can tear up. You can also purchase chew toys to give your dog another thing to chew on.
Final Thoughts
Bringing a new dog home is exciting. While it might seem like your pet requires a lot of hard work at first, pet-proofing your home is the most efficient way to reduce problem behaviors.
Visit Spot & Tango to purchase an all-natural dog food to give your dog the very best health. Healthier dogs tend to have more minor behavior issues. Make sure to be aware of allergies that can also change your dog’s behavior. Learn more about it here: whatthepup.spotandtango.com/pet-parenting/chicken-allergy-in-dogs/
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1 Comment
Excellent piece of advice! My pet pug fortunately when he came into our lives, our kids were pretty grown up and there were no hazardous toys lurking around. For better or for worse they were busy with their mobile phones and computers.
September 8, 2021 at 12:24 pm