Puppies are a great deal of fun. They’re also a handful. They also grow much more quickly than you might imagine and ingrain the boundaries and behaviours they are taught within a matter of months. For this reason, it’s very important to make sure that we’re prepared for this kind of responsibility. We’re sure you’ll do just great.
But there are many guides out there that discuss how to raise a puppy and what or what not to do depending on the breed. But what about if we think of inverting this relationship? Could it be, just perhaps, that puppy-proofing our home is something we need to consider? While the puppy is small now, it won’t be long before they’ll be rip-roaring around our home plan with abandon. You’d be astonished at just how much energy even small dogs have.
Of course, while it’s nice to prevent damage and a range of other issues (like our dogs tearing washed clothes off the line and rolling in it), sometimes, we need to protect the puppy from the house, too. Let’s consider:
Worthwhile fabrics
Worthwhile fabrics, such as these perfect fabrics to own when you have a pet, can not only protect your pet from having their claws stuck on the sofa, but it can prevent damage even from a little puppy who might need their scratching habit carefully trained out of them. This way, you can be sure that even when you have to teach them boundaries (such as ‘sitting on my lap is okay, but never sit on the sofa alone’) will work wonders.
Gated areas
All your puppy really want to do is explore, and do so in a manner that is totally unconstrained. Even if they might fear certain areas of your home or the big scary outside world, it won’t be long before their natural curiosity gets the better of them and they just have to check it out themselves. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it can certainly put your puppy in harm’s way too. That’s why making sure you use gates to protect against staircase access, or access to certain rooms, can protect them from becoming injured, or hurting their little joints on the stairs.
Areas they feel safe
It’s a good idea to have a few areas in which your puppies can feel safe. This will include a few areas that they can attend to every day, knowing what to expect there. For instance, a puppy cage/bed in the living room and your bedroom can help them know where they are free to rest no matter how nervous they become. Allowing them to eat their food in the same place daily will also help them feel a sense of dominion over that area, as can letting them out to ‘do their business’ at the same times each day.
With this advice, you’re sure to puppy-proof your home in the best possible light.
Image: Unsplash
