An essential guide to puppy-proofing your home

Preparing for a new puppy and worried about protecting your home? Check out this essential guide to puppy-proofing your space, so you can relax and enjoy every paw-fect moment!

1. Secure your home inside and out

• Make sure the yard is fully fenced or gated with no small gaps that your puppy can sneak through
• If your apartment has a balcony, make sure all gaps are sealed
• Keep garden areas well-trimmed – ticks are more prevalent in longer grass and can be deadly to a young pup
• Make sure pool areas are fully fenced
• Take up any rugs until toilet training is mastered

2. Organise an enclosed puppy space

• Set up a large pen where you can safely leave your pup when you need to go out
• Use this as a place where they can’t endanger themselves or your belongings
• Always make sure your new puppy has access to shade and water
• Include some bedding and interactive toys to keep the puppy stimulated and happy
• Never leave your puppy unsupervised for long periods

3. Zone your home

• Decide what areas are out of bounds and stick to it
• Use baby gates or masking tape to reinforce the areas
• Get household agreement regarding where the puppy is allowed and where it isn’t.

4. Safety first

• Keep precious items out of sight until you’re confidant the new pup can respond to commands
• Tidy away any small pieces from toys or games that could be a choking hazard
• Watch what your puppy is chewing – in an ideal world it is just their toys, but in reality everything is fair game – Watch out for any dangerous plants or chemicals they might be exposed to such as fertilisers or household cleaners

If your exciting new arrival has 2 legs rather than 4, try this quick and easy guide to the ultimate nursery.

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