5 Steps to Puppy Proof Your Home

If you are the proud new owner of a puppy, congratulations! Like children, puppies have a mind-blowing amount of energy and curiosity. They love to explore the world around them, which most of the time is likely going to be your home. So just as it is crucial to baby proof your home when welcoming a new baby into the world, the same is true for your canine baby.
In today’s blog, we here at The Stair Barrier would like to help share with you some essential puppy proofing steps. If you are looking for a safe and attractive dog gate for your stairs, look no further than The Stair Barrier. Our gates are versatile, durable, stylish, and handcrafted in the USA. Learn more about our dog safety gates and check out our collection of safety gates for stairs!

Put Trash On Lockdown

The garbage bin is somewhat of a mecca-like paradise to your puppy. It’s full of new and exciting smells that must be intoxicating — especially for a puppy new to the world and accustomed to only the taste of dog food. Because of this, it is crucial to keep your trash covered, secure, and out of reach. If your puppy gets into the trash, they could easily consume something that is toxic or causes internal obstruction.

Conceal Electrical Cords

Electrical cords are a big danger for puppies. They’re plentiful, often at ground level, and have a nice chewing texture that is just perfect...until it’s not. We are, of course, talking about when your puppy finds out that cords don’t contain a nice soft, Tootsie Roll center, but instead an electrical shock that can cause burns and even death. To keep your pups from chewing on electrical cords, keep them out of sight. If they can’t be tucked behind a stand, run them through cable wrap, PVC pipe, cord concealer, or even spray them with a specially made deterrent spray. Additionally, providing your puppy with plenty of chew toys can give your little canine a safer outlet for their chewing energy.

Hide Toxic Items

Chances are that you have never looked at a houseplant and wondered how it tastes. You should not assume the same is true for your new puppy. This will, in fact, probably be the first thing it thinks when seeing a houseplant. And if given free reign, they will not hesitate to give it a try. Not only will this put you out of a houseplant, but it could also leave you with a sick puppy. This is because for dogs many common household plants are actually toxic when ingested.

In addition to all the obvious poisonous items — toilet bowl cleaner, cleaning supplies, medication — you also have to remember that common human treats — chocolate, onions, alcohol, coffee, tea, grapes, raisins, and many others — are toxic to dogs.

Restrict Access

If you don’t want your puppy to venture into a particular part of your home, you are going to have to do more than say, “No!” You have to restrict access using a durable and safe pet gate. Depending on your home, the areas you choose to section off will perhaps vary from what other people choose. Many people find that the bathroom is typically one place they want to keep their pets out of. From razors to pills to soap, the bathroom is full of items that, if consumed by your pup, will surely warrant a trip to the emergency veterinarian. Similarly, bedrooms may be a place you want to keep your dog from exploring. Bedrooms are often full of socks, shoes, laundry, and whatever may be hiding under your bed.

Get A Dog Gate For Stairs

While older, well-behaved dogs are sometimes given free roam of the home, when it comes to the upstairs, puppies are often considered persona non grata — or canine non grata. Limiting access to the bottom half of your home will not only reduce the space you have to puppy proof and watch over, but it will also keep your puppy safe from stair-related accidents. To accomplish this restriction, it’s important to have a dog gate you can trust. At The Stair Barrier, we not only make gates that are dependable, safety-tested, retractable, and easy to install, but our dog gates for stairs can also accommodate the bottom of almost any staircase. And with a wide range of fabrics, designs, and styles, you are sure to find a Stair Barrier that will complement the decor of your home.

This is, of course, not a comprehensive list, but it should get you pointed in the right direction. While puppy proofing can feel like you’re slowly turning your home into a solitary confinement cell for your puppy, over time your little pooch will develop some manners and good habits, and the worry will drift away.