Five ways to prepare your home for a puppy
An unprepared home can be dangerous, so it’s crucial to take precautionary measures. And it seems that prospective pet parents are looking for guidance on how to do this, with Gtech spotting that searches for ‘puppy proof home’ have risen by 200% in the last year, while ‘puppy essentials checklist’ and ‘how to prepare for a new puppy’ are also up 30%.
To help you prepare for this exciting new chapter, Kester Rudd, Insights Manager at Gtech has shared tips for puppy-proofing your home:
- Tidy up any electrical wires
Puppies love to chew, especially when teething, so get prepped by hiding all electrical wires and making sure they are firmly out of reach.
A chewed-through wire is not only dangerous for your new addition but will also damage your devices and leave you with costly replacement fees.
To mitigate this, use wire organisers and covers that can neatly tidy away any loose cords from those sharp, curious teeth.
- Update your cleaning products and keep them out of reach
Now that you’re a pet-friendly home, it’s a good idea to buy pet-safe cleaning products to have on hand in case of any accidents or muddy paws.
Even so, cleaning products are not something that you want your new puppy to ingest, so make sure all cleaning supplies, medications, and other potentially toxic substances are stored in cabinets that are either high up or secured with latches.
It is also worth considering your cleaning tools ahead of buying a dog, especially your vacuum. With a furry four-legged friend now living in your home, you may want to invest in a lightweight cordless vacuum that can easily tackle pet hair in every nook and crevice.
- Do a deep clean and remove any small objects
Puppies love to explore new environments with their mouths, so it’s crucial to make sure the space is clean and free of small objects before they arrive.
Ahead of collecting your pup, do a deep clean of your home, vacuuming your home thoroughly, including underneath sofa cushions and furniture – particularly where your eyes can’t see.
Clear any low surfaces of small objects, such as coins, buttons, and kid's toys, as they pose a serious choking risk. Also consider any other items your puppy could chew into pieces, such as shoes, books, or clothing.
- Divide up your indoor space
In the early days, you will want to keep your pup in sight and the creation of puppy zones can help you do this.
This involves dividing your home into areas where you want your puppy to stay and keeping them away from rooms that might include hazards or valuable items.
To do this you may want to consider installing safety gates between rooms like the kitchen, bathrooms and at the bottom of the stairs, so your puppy can’t access them unsupervised.
- Assess your outside area
It is crucial not to forget your outside space before welcoming a puppy into your home.
Make sure that your garden is securely enclosed with a sturdy, high fence or boundary that your puppy cannot jump over or dig under, checking it for gaps or weak spots.
If you spot any small holes or gaps in your fencing or hedges that a puppy could escape through, secure some chicken wire over them. This will not only keep your puppy safe within your garden but also prevent any external dangers from getting in.
Finally, be aware of any harmful plants in your garden, as some can be toxic to dogs when eaten. Keep these plants well out of reach or go one step further and remove them completely.
