Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee
It's understandable if you're super excited about bringing your puppy home for the first time. But before your new pup walks through the front door, you need to make sure that your home is a safe haven. To accomplish this, a puppy-proofing home makeover will be necessary to remove temptations and to identify hidden, dangerous situations you might not have considered. This guide will walk you through how to dog-proof your home. And once you've done the basics, you'll learn how to level up by creating a safe space for your dog.
Puppy-proofing checklist: Tuck it away
A puppy's curiosity for life is at an all-time high in its first year and it can get her into trouble. Anticipate that your new furry family member will want to explore her new surroundings and remove dangerous temptations. The following puppy-proofing checklist will provide you with 12 items that you definitely want to keep out of your puppy's paws.
1. Medications
Keep all medicines far away from your curious puppy. Numerous human medications are toxic to pets—both prescribed and over-the-counter. These include basic NSAIDs (like Advil), many vitamins and supplements, pain reliever medicines (like Tylenol), antidepressants, ADHD medicines, sleep aids, anxiety medications, birth control, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, thyroid medications and cholesterol medicine.1 Even if your dog is prescribed something similar, the dosage for you is likely toxic for him. So lock away all that with childproof locks.
2. Batteries
Did you know that batteries are dangerous to dogs?2 Sure, you might keep some spares next to your remote, but now that your puppy's coming home, you need to store those where she can't reach them. Puppies love chewing, and batteries are tempting targets. If punctured, alkaline batteries can burn your puppy's throat, mouth or stomach. If swallowed, it can block her intestines or become caustic.
Never give a puppy a toy with button batteries in it. These types of batteries are commonly found in kid toys. It goes without saying that they're not meant for dogs, the batteries and the toys that is.
3. Trash
Maybe you're safely locking away everything dangerous. But it can be easy to forget about that toxic food or dead battery that you tossed in the trash. Dogs are notorious for wanting to chew through trash bags to see what's inside.3 While the bags are in the house, keep them in childproof trash cans or behind puppy gates.
There are numerous products designed to protect toddlers and help secure under sink cabinet doors or prevent lids from opening. These childproofing gadgets are super useful when you have a smart, curious puppy too.
When you take the bags outside, throw them directly into the outdoor trash bin. Don't leave them sitting around on the ground.
4. Rugs
During your pup's first year or while potty training, temporarily remove any expensive rugs and put down inexpensive runners. Otherwise, these rugs may become victims of pee puddles or bite marks. Of course, you'll also want to have an enzymatic carpet safe spray on hand for when accidents do occur. Clean up any poop accidents right away so your puppy doesn't eat it.
5. Electrical cords
Be sure to enclose any wires from electrical devices like televisions and computers in chew-resistant PVC casings. Chewing on a plugged-in cord can electrocute your pup and cause severe mouth burns and congestion in the lungs called non-cardiogenic edema.4
6. Purses, backpacks, and other bags
Keep purses, backpacks and other bags away from your curious puppy. Often, this will mean storing them on a top shelf in a closet, where your furry friend can't reach them. Purses and bags often have unsafe items in them that could be toxic (like candy, chewing gum or tobacco products) or items that are small enough to cause choking.
7. Harmful gardening tools and other backyard items
You'll need to hide a lot of things in your yard that could be harmful to your pup. Begin puppy proofing your yard by making sure it's fenced and that there are no escape routes your pup can find. That includes fencing around a pool (if you have one) so your pup can't get to it. A dog with a desire to dig can get through openings that will surprise you.
The first couple of times you let out your dog in the yard, follow him closely to see which areas he gravitates to. You may find that you are unable to leave him unsupervised outside for the first several months to a year until he is trustworthy.
Just as food in the kitchen can be a problem for pets, so can plants in the garden. There are numerous plants that can harm your pup. Compost, cocoa-based mulches, pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers as well as snail and slug bait can also cause trouble for your dog. Your first line of defense is keeping these items stored away safely and out of reach.
You'll also want to make sure that all your gardening tools are stored away safely too. You don't want your puppy getting into anything sharp or dangerous.
8. Poisonous products in your garage
Never leave your puppy unsupervised in the garage unless it's been thoroughly puppy-proofed. Too many temptations exist! Common chemicals kept in the garage can be extremely toxic to pets. Make sure pesticides, gasoline, solvents, antifreeze, coolants and oils are either high up or in a closed cabinet. The same is true for small things, like screws, nuts, bolts and nails. If you live in a snowy climate, be aware that de-icing compounds may also contain dangerous chemicals, so look for ones that are safe for pets. In general, a garage is not a safe place for animals.
9. Toilet water
Remember to keep toilet lids down. Drinking out of a toilet can be unhealthy for dogs, or dangerous if you use chemicals to disinfect and clean the bowl.
10. Toxic foods, candies, and plants
You'd be surprised at all the foods and candies that are toxic to dogs. Check out our detailed article on the 20 foods dogs can't eat to get familiar with what your puppy should avoid. This includes all chocolates and even sugar-free gum and candy. The sugar-free sweetener Xylitol can lead to seizures, life threatening hypoglycemia, liver failure and even death in dogs.5
You'll also want to store away, or hang out of reach, any toxic houseplants. This requires some research to know what's safe and what's not. Even when not toxic, the dirt in the bottom of the planter can be very tempting to play in, creating a huge mess and potentially damaging the plant as well.
11. Secure laundry and cleaning items
Don't forget to dog-proof the laundry room, along with any cleaning items you keep elsewhere. Many of these household items are toxic to dogs. Laundry detergents and laundry pods, as well as fabric softeners can be dangerous to dogs, and so can chlorine, ammonia, drain cleaners, and more.6 Keep your pup away when you're using them, and lock them away safely when you're not.
12. Other small items
Becoming a tidy housekeeper can save you from expensive visits to the vet if your puppy gets into toxic things or ingests foreign bodies. Remove any small items on tabletops that can be chewed and make sure your kitchen and bathroom trash cans have secure lids. Stash small items like needles, thread, hair ties, jewelry, coins, buttons, rubber bands and mothballs out of paw's reach.
It may take a few extra minutes in your day but get into the habit of putting away your stuff right after use. It's far easier than trying to coax things from a pet determined to destroy them. Get in the habit of completely closing all closet, bedroom and bathroom doors to prevent any puppy misadventures. Place dirty clothes in a pet proof hamper.
Assume that your puppy thinks anything within reach is fair game for chewing on, including shoes, remote controls, sunglasses, etc!
Most Common Puppy Health Conditions and Average Treatment Costs
| Condition | Average Cost |
| Gastroenteritis | $491 |
| Fracture - Bone | $1,097 |
| Undiagnosed Gastrointestinal Condition | $694 |
| Dietary Indiscretion | $655 |
| Otitis | $188 |
| Toxicosis | $728 |
| Respiratory Infection | $313 |
| Urinary Tract Infection | $281 |
| Atopy/ Allergies | $248 |
| Colitis | $224 |
Next Level Puppy-Proofing: Creating a safe space for your dog
Resist giving your puppy free reign of your home. Instead, introduce her to a bathroom or spare bedroom that is already up to par with the puppy-proofing checklist. Strongly consider crate training, which will make potty training much easier! A crate should be a safe and warm, comfortable space for your dog, mimicking a den.
When you wish to have him join you throughout the house, consider having him on a waist leash so you can watch closely.
When making the areas in your home "puppy-proofed," take things one step further and fill those spots with enriching activities and cozy corners, so your pup feels happy and safe. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
1. Safe houseplants
Your puppy will thrive in a playroom full of live plants. But be careful! Some houseplants are toxic to dogs, so you'll want to avoid those. For example, lilies, grapevines and plants that contain raphides are dangerous to pets.5
Plants that are safe for dogs include:
- Echeveria succulents (aka "hens and chicks")
- Spider plants
- Prayer plants
- Baby rubber plants (safer than the mildly toxic rubber plant)
- Areca palms
- Parlor palms
- Dwarf banana plants.
However, even safe plants should be kept out reach. You don't want your puppy eating the soil, or rolling around in it!
2. Watch for heights
Most things a puppy can jump up on are pretty safe for him to jump down from, but definitely block all stairs. Make sure he can't fit through the railing on balconies; you may need to use mesh to close gaps that his body will fit through while he's still little.
3. Doggy gates
Purchase doggy gates to limit access to rooms that haven't been puppy proofed and to all stairs. Ensure the gates have vertical bars, not horizontal ones. Smart pups know how to hoist themselves up on a lower horizontal bar to scale the gate and leap up and over. You can use these doggy gates to section off your puppy's wellness area.
4. Non-slip flooring
Puppies like to run and play, so she'll be slipping and sliding around if you have a slick floor, like hardwood or tile.7 This could easily lead to an injury! Make her wellness space safer by putting down a rug that's secured to the floor. Avoid braided rugs, or anything that could be a temptation to chew.
5. Comfy, cozy bedding
Puppies love to sleep! Consider using an easy-to-clean crate that will serve as your pup's snooze time den. Make sure any bedding has loose strings and threads trimmed to avoid the temptation to chew. Be cautious when first introducing bedding. Many bored and curious puppies will chew on blankets and foam beds, which can lead to a dangerous gastrointestinal obstruction.
6. Items to create a calming atmosphere
Seek to make the entire puppy wellness room calm and comforting. For example, consider using a plug-in diffuser with calming pheromones designed just for dogs.8 These send a signal in your dog's language, letting him know everything is okay.
Playing calming background sounds in the room can also help, especially if there are a lot of outdoor sounds that might be scary.9 You can try a fan or a fountain for background noise, a white noise machine or even calming classical music.
Fearful or anxious puppies might also enjoy listening to music that you like, since it serves to bond the two of you.10 Look for something with a slow, melodic tempo. Music with flutes, slow country music, or even nature sounds might be good too. It can take about 10 to 15 minutes for the music to help soften your puppy's mood. You can even switch to more active, upbeat music when you're wanting to change the mood and have an energetic playtime.
In addition to using music and pheromones, you might consider adding a humidifier, which can also be soothing to your pup. Humidifiers can keep her skin and throat from getting too dry and might even lessen snoring in susceptible breeds.11
7. Water and food bowls
Make sure your pup is never in danger of getting dehydrated. Keep a full water bowl available at all times. For extra-thirsty pups, a self filling water bowl attached to a tank that automatically refills as the water gets low could be a good option. You might also try plug-in water fountains to see which type your puppy likes best.
Keep her on a regular feeding schedule. Some pet owners prefer automatic feeders that dispense the same amount at each meal, at the same time so your puppy can have a schedule that she anticipates and looks forward to.
8. Safe, engaging toys for play
Of course, a puppy's room simply isn't complete without engaging and fun toys for playtime. One of those toys should, of course, be you! Visit your pup often, bringing a ball to play fetch with or a rope for tug-of-war.
You can also fill the room with interactive toys to keep your tiny Fido engaged when you're not there.12 Look for toys that dispense treats as your puppy plays with them, a puzzle toy that challenges his nose, a chew ball or a favorite stuffed animal that he loves to snuggle with.
Not all toys are safe for all puppies. Some puppies may destroy soft cloth toys, and anything with strings should be avoided. Avoid using anything that was actually designed for children, as these are generally not made quite as strong. Always avoid anything with batteries!
Child-proof vs puppy-proof
If you've ever child-proofed your home, then you already have an idea about how to puppy-proof your house. Dog-proofing your house and baby-proofing are similar in many ways. Of course, there are some big differences—babies wear diapers, so they won't be peeing on the carpet as your puppy could. And there are some items dogs are allergic to that babies aren't.
But still, there are a lot of similarities. Many items that are dangerous to babies are also dangerous to puppies, and vice versa. And some items you would purchase for child-proofing can work for puppy-proofing too.
For example, childproof latches won't just prevent your kids from opening unsafe cabinets—they'll also keep out your puppy too. Attach childproof latches to cabinets that contain cleaning supplies, food and other canine temptations.
Foods like chocolate, avocados, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions and garlic can be toxic to dogs, so lock those items away. And like putting up baby gates as barricades for your child, you can put up doggy gates as barricades for your puppy.
Puppy-proofing your house also requires a "close inspection" that's similar to baby-proofing. Inspect your home from the point of view of an adventurous puppy: Go from room to room and look at each space from a puppy's perspective. This means getting down on your knees and looking for any potential hazards. You'll be surprised by how many enticing and problematic things your pup can encounter.
The bottom line
The consequences of not properly puppy-proofing your house can be catastrophic. Being organized and ready to welcome home your new pup will make the adjustment easier for both you and your puppy. From the beginning, your puppy will have a clear idea of where she is allowed to go and what things and places are off-limits.
Even with the most prepared pet parents, accidents do happen, which is why a good pet insurance policy is worth having. Pets Best policy holders also have access to a 24/7 pet helpline, in case they need immediate answers to questions about their puppies. Click here to get a quote.*
*Terms and conditions apply. See policy for details.
Sources:
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5Savigny M, Macintire DK: Xylitol Toxicity in Dogs . Comp Stan Care. Emerg Crit Care Med 2008 Vol 10 (2) pp. 1-6.
6Jane G. Owens, David C Dorman: Common Household Hazards For Small Animals. DVM 360. 1997 ; 92(2):140-148.
7Wilhelm, Tonya. (2016, July 11.) Tips to Prevent Your Dog from Slipping. Animal Wellness. Retrieved from https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/tips-prevent-slipping/.
8PetMD Editorial. (2018, May 25.) How Do Calming Dog and Cat Pheromones Work? PetMD. Retrieved from https://www.petmd.com/dog/behavior/how-do-calming-dog-and-cat-pheromones-work.
9Madson, Cathy. (2019, June 20.) How to Use Music to Calm Your Anxious Dog. Preventive Vet. Retrieved from https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/how-to-use-music-to-calm-anxious-dogs.
10Shojai, Amy. (2022, June 22.) Music Therapy for Your Pet. The Spruce Pets. Retrieved from https://www.thesprucepets.com/puppies-and-music-2804574#:~.
11(2020, December 23.) Does My Dog Need a Humidifier? Canine Country. Retrieved from https://caninecountry.org/does-my-dog-need-a-humidifier/.
12Geier, Elisabeth. 7 Simple Steps to Creating a Room Just for Your Dog. Rover.com. Retrieved from https://www.rover.com/blog/7-simple-steps-creating-room-just-dog/.