Set up a ‘chill zone’
A playpen or crate can provide a safe and comfortable area for your puppy to spend their time when you can’t be there to supervise.
Secure wires and cables
Wires and cables pose a real risk as puppies love to chew (anything!). Never leave a puppy unattended in a room with live wires to appliances.
Dangerous food and substances
Keep all food out of reach as some human food such as chocolate and grapes can be dangerous for your pup. Store away all medication, cleaning products and chemicals such as weed killer or snail pellets. And make sure they can’t access any batteries in items such as remote controls.
The smells coming from your kitchen bin can also be quite tempting, so make sure it can’t be reached. Either secure the lid or put it somewhere your puppy can’t reach.
Prevent falls
Puppies are naturally curious, so make sure they stay away from any climbing adventures. Make sure they can’t climb onto chairs, and it may be worth getting a safety gate if you have stairs.
Outdoors
Check that they can’t get out of your property through any broken or unsecured fences (they also love to dig, so make sure they can’t make an escape under your fence or gate).
Toxic plants also need fencing off or removing and your compost bin should have a lid or be fenced off in an area they can’t access.
Some indoor plants are also toxic to puppies (such as lilies, sago palms, ivy and caladiums). Some may cause a mild stomach to upset, while others can have a more serious effect. To be safe, it’s a good idea to keep any indoor plants out of reach, and your plants will be happier too!
If you don’t want to lose it, put it away!
Anything you don’t want to be destroyed should be kept out of reach. This includes shoes and kid’s toys. It’s also a good idea to keep bathroom and toilet doors closed unless you want your home to be decorated with toilet paper!
Choking hazards
We all know to keep choking hazards away from children, and the same goes for puppies. Remove things such as small toys, coins and other objects that could cause serious harm if your puppy swallowed them. And choose your pet toys wisely to make sure they don’t include a choking hazard that your pet could chew off.
