Safeguarding Puppy In His Home and Yard (and other tips)
-- Above all else, invest in a good quality crate and crate train puppy. Crate puppy every second you are not watching him.-- Do not crate puppy with his collar on or leave him in any area unattended where he may get hung up by his collar.
-- Do not leave a young puppy unattended in yards. Puppies pick up everything and there is always the chance of an obstruction.
-- Set all house plants up and away out of reach of puppy; many types of plants are poisonous. Also, know what plants and ground cover planted in yards are poisonous and take precautions.
-- Remove all soaps, shampoo bottles and razor blades from holders within reach of puppy in the tub area.
-- According to the Dept. of Agriculture, there is no way to disinfect soil against Parvo or to eliminate Coccidia or Giardia from the soil, short of excavating and resoiling the property. They claim parvo can live for 2 years in extreme temperatures in soil and one year on dried surfaces.
-- Sweep concrete floors (or runs) of all objects.
-- Keep electrical cords out of the way.
-- Close doors to rooms you do not wish puppy to have access to.
-- Be sure any electrical lines running under your puppy pen are deep enough that a digging dog will not dig down to them and try to chew through in a possibly fatal quest for adventure.
-- If the yard/pen is on the street side of the house, be sure that it is constructed in a manner that fingers cannot reach through for patting and instead meet teeth which are defending territory.
-- Make sure that the outside pen is well lit so that if the dog is ill during the night, you can check on it if the dog has asked to go outside.
-- Have a way to affix the water bowl or bucket so it cannot be tipped over. Puppy should have access to clean water.
-- Make sure there are no sharp objects or edges where a dog could injure itself.
-- Get down to the puppy's eye level and survey every room. Move anything that he/she could get into and harm themselves and move it out of reach (includes books, CDs, cords remote controls, shoes, toys, figurines, and such).
-- Use a garbage can with a lid or one that is out of reach behind a cupboard door.
-- If you cannot watch puppy 100% of the time the first few months, crate him for his own safety as well as your belongings.
-- Have Bitter Apple on hand to discourage chewing on objects which can't be moved out of puppies reach.
-- Teach 2-legged children to put their toys away behind the "puppy gate".
-- Remove any lower cabinet knobs or handles temporarily that puppy might get mouth/teeth hung up on.
-- Make sure any heater floor grates are securely fastened.
-- Remove any mushrooms sprouting in the yard... some are poisonous.
-- Potpourri is deadly to dogs. Do not leave potpourri or scented candles where puppies can get to.
-- Know where your closest animal Emergency Clinic is located. Write the phone number near your phone.
-- Tie up sash cords to window blinds.
-- Do not leave anything on the counter that a growing pup could reach (knives, glasses, pens, etc.)
-- Never leave puppies/dogs together with young children unsupervised.
-- Remove any ant traps or rat/mice bait set out.
-- Read labels and know toxicity of weed killers, fertilizers used in yards.
-- Check all lower cabinet doors where household cleaners are stored to make sure they close securely; consider installing child safety catches.
-- Keep puppy away from barn areas where fly (killing) bait is applied to manure storage piles.
-- Check latches on storm doors (and all doors that swing towards the outside); be sure door cannot swing open by puppy just leaning on it. If puppy is growing and can jump and hit latch, always use the lock.
-- Keep holiday decorations out of puppy's reach; i.e., Christmas tree trimmings, packages, flower arrangements, etc.
-- Block off stairways with baby gates.
Compiled from tips on the Labsr4U Email List
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