Protect Your Pup: A Complete Guide for Dog-Proofing Your Home

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an incredibly heartwarming experience that can fill your life with joy and happiness. From their adorable cuddles to their playful energy, having a furry friend can change your life in the best way possible.

However, as responsible pet owners, it's important to remember that we need to dog-proof our homes to ensure our furry companions are safe and happy. While it may seem daunting, think of it like childproofing - but with even more fun challenges since puppies are known to leap and bound around!

To keep your furry friend from causing any accidental damage, it's important to take some precautions, especially if you have precious, breakable ornaments lying around. Simply keep them in safe spots that are out of reach from your dog's curious nose!

Of course, there are plenty of other important things to keep in mind, but don't worry - we've got you covered. We've created an easy-to-follow guide that breaks down dog-proofing each room, so you can have peace of mind and come home to a happy, safe pup.

Dog Proofing Your Kitchen

Many people do not allow dogs in the kitchen for fear of them consuming something they should not. However, if you properly dog-proof your kitchen, you won’t have to worry about anything when they assist you with the cooking.

Keep all food in tightly sealed containers so that your dog cannot get to it.
Lower cabinets should have latches installed so that your dog cannot open them.
If you don’t want your dog in the kitchen at all, baby-proofing gates are another option.
Place all cleaning supplies on high shelves or in lower cabinets with latches.
Making sure your dog cannot open your garbage can is also a good idea.

Dog Proofing Your Living Room

Your living room is where all the fun happens with your furry friend, which is why it's important to dog-proof it properly. This room is where your pup will spend most of their time, so taking a few precautions can go a long way.

One simple but critical change is to ensure all electrical cords are safely secured and the fireplace has sturdy grates. With these simple steps, you can create a safe and enjoyable space for you and your four-legged companion to relax and play in!

When you’re not using your electrical cords, remember to put them away.
If you have a fireplace in your house, Install a grate in front of your fireplace to prevent your dog from accidentally starting a fire.
If you don’t want your dog to run outside, keep your windows closed.
Make certain that any plants you have in your home are safe for dogs and out of their reach.
Always remember to remove any breakable decorations from lower shelves and your coffee table.
Place small toys away from the ground so your dog doesn’t try to eat them, especially Lego pieces.

Dog Proofing Your Bathroom

The toilet can be the most dangerous place for a dog, yet they enjoy spending time there. As a result, it is critical to keep this area safe for your dog to relax in.

Always remember to keep your toilet lid closed or install a seat lock.
When not in use, keep all bath toys and loofah out of reach of your dog.
Never leave blow dryers or curling irons out on your table, and always unplug and store them when not in use.
The most important thing is to keep your toilet paper safe or out of reach of dogs.

Dog Proofing Your Bedroom

Not everyone allows their dog to jump on the bed, but if you are not one of these people, you must ensure that there are no choking hazards in the open so that your dog does not get hurt.

Always keep all drawers and closets closed or secure with a child-proof lock.
Keeping all of your socks away is critical, or you’ll think the sock goblin has them.
Keep all small accessories and jewelry out of your dog’s reach.
While mothballs are useful, they are toxic to dogs, so keep them away.
Keep your handbags and shoes out of the way, or you’ll end up with chewed-up leather (trust me, I have personally paid that price).

These are just a few of the things that must be done to keep your dog safe, but there may be many more that must be doggo-proofed depending on the size of your home and the number of rooms you have.

We can only hope that this guide was useful to you, and please let us know in the comments below if we missed a point you think is important.