Congratulations on your decision to take advantage of today’s incredibly low interest rates and moving forward with your purchase of a brand new home in Southern Indiana. And now that you’ve moved into your new abode and you’ve properly feathered your nest, congratulations on the new addition that’s sure to make your house a home – your new puppy!
Along with this excitement and unconditional love comes a set of challenges and frustrations that with a little planning and perseverance, is sure to keep your sanity and your beautiful home intact. According to PetsBest.com, your puppy’s nose is their biggest asset, but it can also get them into the most trouble. Pet’s Best, a pet health insurance provider, encourages you to be vigilant and patient. They recommend that you look at your new Southern Indiana new home from your pup’s perspective to identify risks, protecting your flooring and furniture, childproofing your cabinets with latches, and ensuring nothing in your backyard or garage can harm your furry bestie.
The following list will provide you with ways to thoroughly puppy proof your home. And, if you’ve just started your search for a new home or are in the design phase of your new Infinity Home, be sure to visit with Kendrick Patton, Director of Design and Marketing, on the numerous pet friendly flooring options that are offered by the Infinity Homes Design Studio and Shaw Floors.
1. 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.
2. Purchase childproof latches to keep your puppy out of cabinets. Puppies can be as curious as cats because they investigate their surroundings by pawing and by chewing. Purchase childproof latches and attach them 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.
3. Protect your rugs from puppy bites & pee puddles. During your pup’s first year or while they are potty training, temporarily remove any expensive rugs and put down inexpensive runners. Otherwise, these rugs may become victims of pee puddles or bite marks.
4. Don’t forget to puppy proof 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.
5. Fence the backyard and put away harmful gardening tools. Make sure your yard is fenced and that there are no escape routes your pup can find. A dog with a desire to dig can get through openings that will surprise you. The first couple of times you let you dog out in the yard, follow him closely to see which areas he gravitates to. Just as food in the kitchen can be a problem for pets, so can plants in the garden. There are a number of plants that can cause harm to your pup. For some of the most common ones, refer to the Houzz guide of 22 Plants to Keep Away From Pets. 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.
6. Stop at the pet store for puppy gates & crates. Purchase doggy gates to limit access to rooms and make sure 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. Also pick up an easy-to-clean crate that will serve as your pup’s snooze-time den.
7. Lock up poisonous products in your garage. Closely look around your garage and 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.
8. Secure small items out of your puppy’s paws. Becoming a tidy housekeeper will save you from expensive visits to the vet as a result of your puppy getting into toxic things or ingesting 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. Storing things safely away after using them is far easier than trying to coax them away 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. Remember to keep all of your toilet lids down, as drinking out of a toilet is unhealthy for dogs—especially if you use chemical cleaners.
9. Create a puppy-safe space. Resist giving your puppy free reign of your home. Initially introduce him to a large bathroom or spare bedroom that is already puppy proofed. When you wish to have him join you throughout the house, tether him to a waist leash.
The cost and consequences of not properly puppy proofing your home can be catastrophic. Being organized and ready to welcome home your new pup will make the adjustment easier for both you and your puppy.
About Infinity Homes: With over a century of combined home building experience and over a decade of crafting fine homes, Infinity Homes builds new homes in Southern Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky. Locally owned, Infinity Homes offers a wide variety of home styles with optional lofts, finished lower levels and 3-car garages with prices starting in the high $100s. The 2018, 2019, and 2020 home builder of the Louisville St. Jude Dream Home, all homes include a long list of included designer features and options and a comprehensive Home Buyers 2-10 new home warranty.
Infinity Homes and Development. Life Starts Here.