Puppy-proofing Your House

If anything is in reach, your puppy will sniff, chew, and probably play with it. So to protect your puppy in her new environment, and to safeguard your belongings, puppy-proof your house.

Kitchens and bathrooms. Use childproof latches to keep curious muzzles from prying open cabinets • Keep medications, cleaners, chemicals, and laundry supplies on high shelves • Keep foods out of reach (even if the food isn't harmful, the wrapper could be. And some foods, like chocolate, can be fatal to dogs) • Keep trash cans covered or inside a latched cabinet. • Keep toilet lids closed to prevent drowning

Living/family room. Place dangling wires from lamps, VCRs, stereos, TVs, and phones up and out of chewing reach • Keep kids' toys put away • Move plants out of reach (some houseplants are poisonous to animals) • Check all the places where your vacuum cleaner doesn't fit, but your puppy does, for dangerous items, like coins and pens • Put away all sewing and craft notions, especially needles and thread • Make sure all heating/air vents have a cover

Garage. Move all chemicals to high shelves or behind secure doors • Clean up all antifreeze from the floor and driveway--one lick of most antifreezes can be lethal to a puppy • Keep fishhooks and other sharp objets and tools out of reach

Bedrooms. Keep laundry and shoes behind closed doors (drawstrings and buttons can cause major problems) • Keep any medications, lotions, or cosmetics off accessible surfaces (like the bedside table which can be reached by jumping on the bed) • Move wires out of reach of chewing

And look out for paws, noses, and tails when you shut doors behind you or scoot chairs.