TIPS for PUPPYPROOFING your HOME ,GARAGE and YARD !!! (by Jacque L. Fredricks)

[JACQUE]

Before you bring your little cutie pie home, you need to make sure it is totally safe for him/her. To help prevent heartwrenching accidents PLEASE puppyproof your new pup's ENTIRE living area, including the yard where he/she will be potty-training. Remember, YOU are responsible for the safety of your new pup at ALL times.

PART ONE

InThe Home.....

You will need to puppyproof your home very similarly to childproofing your home. We will start with the KITCHEN...

1) Remove ALL insecticides, bait traps and any other chemicals within reach of your pup. Either completely remove them or put cabinet locks on the doors to them. (You can buy childproof locks in the baby dept. of your local Department store.)

2) Remove ALL household cleaners (no matter how safe you think they may be) or keep in a locked cabinet.( Remember if the label says keep out of the reach of children then they are not safe for your pets either.)

3) Be very careful choosing the kind of cleaners you use "around" your pup. Some breeds are extremely sensitive to cleaners, their fumes or walking on floors still wet with cleaners. (Ex: OVEN CLEANER,BLEACH, Spic &Span cleaner...etc.) Please secure your pup away from the kitchen while cleaning your oven!

It is best to use mild non-toxic cleaners around your Lil' darlin! (Ivory Snow is great I hear).

4) Do not leave food out where it is tempting to your pup. Food left on a table or in an open garbage can is simply irresistable to them!!! Your garbage can should have a tight fitting lid on it too! Also, Don't forget the bathroom can. Especially beware of foods poisonous or harmful to pups like chocolate,grapes,raisins ,nuts etc. These can prove to be deadly and it only takes a little bit.

And beware of other pet foods as they can be allergic (mine was set in an itching frenzy from eating the catfood!)

*don't forget to check for poison or traps behind the fridge,under the stove etc.

PART TWO...

Next we will go into the Bathroom...

1) As with the kitchen, do not store chemicals,cleaning products or medications under the sink or in cabinets without a childproof lock on them. Keep toilet brush and cleaning supplies in a closed container. You sure don't want your pup to chew on a toilet brush and be poisoned by the chemicals left on them.

2) Put all electrical items such as curling irons,straighteners,hair dryers away to keep your furry friend from chewing the cord and getting a shock or pulling them down by the cord and getting a nasty burn!

3) Make sure your bathroom garbage can has a tight fitting lid!

4) And finally...keep the toilet seat down! This is especially important if you use cleaning tablets or liquids in your toilet tank!

PART THREE...

Living Room/ Office/Den etc...

1) Here we need to keep paper shredders unplugged at ALL times when not in use!!!

2) Keep ALL computer cables, phone wires and electrical cords tucked safely away or covered with a box.

3) Before you display live plants make sure you check to see if they are poisonous to your pup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WndJLJD8R9k

4) If there is a smoker in your house have them smoke outside or in the garage/basement . Secondhand smoke kills pets too! Also do not keep ashtrays ,cigarettes,cigars etc. around where your pup can get them. NICOTINE can KILL your pup if ingested!!! That also goes for Nicotine gum!!!

5) Stay away from powdered carpet fresheners and cleaners. Most pups cannot tolerate them.

PART FOUR...

Garage / basement....

There are numerous dangers in the garage and the basement! This is a storage area for all kinds of poisons!

1) The list is lengthy but includes such items as: batteries,gasoline,oil,adhesives,caulking,bleaches,paints,varnishes,paint and varnish strippers and thinners, turpetine,pesticides,baited traps,and very deadly antifreeze!

2) Remember to check under all vehicles for leaks of antifreeze as these tend to be very tasty to all kinds of animals !!! If you find that you have a leak make sure you wash the surface well and apply kitty litter to oil leaks as well.

3) All these potentially deadly toxins should be kept in a locked cabinet or high up on a shelf!

PART FIVE...

The Yard...

The yard is an important playground and training area for your new baby so you will want to take serious precautions here!

1)Do not use chemicals on the grass like weed and feeds,fertilizers,and pesticides. These are very toxic to your pet. (also, don't take for granted that the label says "safe for pets")

Small animals are especially prone to toxins and your pup may even be poisoned by walking on treated areas and getting it on their paw pads. The chemical is absorbed through the skin via paw pads and by the pup licking them after being exposed! They can also carry the chemical into your home and just by walking around on carpeted areas deposits it on the floor where it gets walked on again and again causing repeated exposure.

2) If you have fencing, (hopefully you do) make sure it is in good condition with no sharp areas that your pup can cut himself on.

3) If you have a fish pond or pool it would be best to keep it fenced off so your pup does not fall in or try to drink the water.

4) And last, but not least, make sure you do an all out search for toxic plants,shrubs,vines and flowers! The ASPCA website has an excellent list of plants and flowers that are poisonous to pets.

5) If there is anything you are not sure of , my personal policy is: When in doubt; don't.

May you and your pup have a long , safe and happy life together!!!

( * credit to ASPCA for the video)

[ROSIENTUCKER]

Awesome Blog I hope everyone takes time to read it!

[Schnauzer]

Looks like my house is pretty puppy proof! It has to be... Schnauzers are nosy LOL. This is a good article.