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Puppy Proofing Your Home! 
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Before bringing your puppy home, you'll need to "puppyproof"
your house. Puppies are like babies: They want to explore every corner
of your house, and they want to put everything into their mouths.
Here's a simple checklist to make sure your home
is safe before letting Rover run free:
Make sure all poisonous household items are securely stored
out of the puppy's reach.
Did you put the household cleaners, laundry detergents, bleach,
disinfectants, insecticides, cleaning fluid, fertilizers, mothballs,
antifreeze, insect poisons, rat poisons and other items in cabinets
or on high shelves? These items can be deadly to your puppy. As
your new puppy grows, he will be able to explore higher places and
be tempted to jump up on shelves.
Check your plants.
Many plants in and around your house can be threatening to your
pup. Did you know that the pits of apricots and peaches, as well
as spinach and tomato vines, can make your puppy sick and, in large
dosages, can even be fatal? For a more complete list of dangerous
doggie plants, consult your vet.
Look at your house from your puppy's point of view.
Get down on all fours and look around. Are there any dangling
electric cords, loose nails, plastic bags or other tempting objects
that will be in puppy's reach? If there are, be sure to put them
away immediately.
SOME ADDITIONAL TIPS
Never leave your puppy unsupervised inside or outside,
and keep him off balconies, upper porches and high decks.
Puppies, no matter what breed, are so little that they can slip
through openings and fall. Puppies may also get tangled in ropes
or the plastic from six-pack beverage holders. Cut these items apart
to prevent problems.
Keep your toilet lid down.
Puppies are often tempted to play in toilet bowl water. This habit
can be awful to break. Not only is it embarrassing when friends
or family are visiting, but toilet cleanser may be harmful if swallowed.
Unplug, remove or cover any electrical cords in your puppy's
confinement area.
Chewing on these cords can cause severe mouth burns, electrocution
and fires. It is also a good idea to cover electrical outlets, when
they are not in use.
Keep buttons, string, sewing needles, pins and other sharp
objects out of your puppy's reach.
If your puppy swallows any of these objects, he can damage his
mouth and internal organs.
Do not tie ribbons around your puppy's neck.
Rufus may be tempted to chew the ribbon, which can cause digestive
problems. He could also choke himself if he catches the ribbon on
anything.
Problem Plants for Puppies.
If your puppy has a tendency to nibble on grass, don't be alarmed. If
his vegetarian habits continue and he tries to nibble on any of the
following plants, STOP him, or you could have a few problems on your
hands. Dangerous plants may make your puppy sick and may even kill him.
You'll need to talk with your vet to get a complete list of dangerous
plants that can be harmful to your pup.
SUPPLIES TO BUY
Before bringing your puppy home, purchase the following supplies.
Preparing in advance for the arrival of your new pal will allow
you and your puppy to spend time getting to know each other.
Food and Water Bowls
Select bowls that won't tip over. Make sure they're easy to clean,
since they will need to be washed daily. Purchase separate bowls
for food and water. You may want to buy smaller bowls at first,
and upgrade to larger ones as your puppy grows. This will keep him
from getting buried under a heaping pile of dog food or from falling
in his water bowl every time he drinks.
Collar
There are a variety of lightweight collars available for your puppy.
Some have buckles and others snap. Regardless of the collar style
you choose for your puppy, remember to attach an identification
tag listing your puppy's name, your address and phone number. Your
puppy's first collar should be made of lightweight nylon or leather.
To measure your puppy's collar size, measure his neck and add
two inches. To ensure that the collar fits properly, you should
be able to slide two fingers between the collar and your puppy's
neck. If your fingers fit comfortably, you have the right size collar.
If there is extra room, you need a smaller size. If both fingers
don't fit, the collar is too small. It may take a while for your
puppy to get used to wearing his collar, so don't be discouraged
if he is uncomfortable and scratches his collar.
Leash
Leashes come in a variety of styles, such as leather, nylon and
retractable, and a in variety of lengths. A six-foot leash is the
ideal length for both training and walking.
Always keep your puppy on his leash unless he is in a fenced-in
area. Many states and cities have leash laws, which make it mandatory
for your puppy to be on his leash at all times, even at public parks
and playgrounds. Under these laws, you can be fined if caught with
your puppy off his leash. Remember to clean up after your puppy
if he goes to the bathroom in a public place, such as a park or
a neighbor's lawn.
Grooming Supplies
Make sure you have the proper grooming tools. These will differ
depending on your puppy's coat. For shorthaired breeds, use a brush
with natural bristles, a rubber currycomb or a hand mitt. A sturdy
wide-toothed metal comb and perhaps a mat splitter are needed for
longhaired breeds. Be sure to include a flea comb in your grooming
supplies, and begin by establishing a weekly grooming program with
your puppy as quickly as possible.
Toys
All puppies need toys to help them exercise and to provide them
with a safe way to satisfy their chewing cravings. Be sure to choose
toys that are made for puppies and cannot be splintered, torn apart
or swallowed. Large rawhide chips, nylon chews and hard rubber balls
are fun and safe. As a general rule, if the toy can fit comfortably
in a puppy's mouth, it's too small.
Your puppy's Toy Chest should be free from the following
items:
- Sponge toys or items
with hard, sharp points or attachments, such as squeakers, which
can break off and be dangerous if swallowed.
- Shoes or other personal
clothing. Giving your puppy these items will only teach him that
it's okay to chew your shoes and rip holes in your shirts.
- Balls of string,
yarn, cellophane, twist ties, plastic baggies and other household
goods that could get lodged in your puppy's throat causing him
to choke or suffocate.
- Children's toys made
of soft rubber, fur, wool, sponge or plastic. If your puppy swallows
a small particle of any of these materials, it could cause digestive
problems.
Puppy Food
Start your puppy on the
right track with the essential nutrition of a balanced puppy food.
Crate or Sleeping
Bed
Your puppy will need
a warm, comfortable place to sleep. A crate provides a den for your
puppy when you are not home. Crates usually come in one of two types:
a portable, enclosed, plastic crate with handles; or a wire crate.
Your puppy's crate should be large enough for him to stand up, turn
around and lie down and should have adequate ventilation. If you
buy an adult-sized crate, purchase partitions or place a cardboard
box in the back to provide a cozy space for your puppy.
Even if you crate your
puppy, you should have a separate sleeping bed for when you are
at home. Make sure you buy a puppy-sized bed rather than an adult-sized
bed, so your puppy will feel safe and snug.
Stain and scent
remover
Special formulated stain
and scent remover takes the odor away from a puppy's nose, as well
as yours. Conventional household products not found in the pet aisle
or a pet supply store mask the odor to humans, but not puppies.
If you use a conventional household product to clean up after your
puppy, don't be alarmed if he keeps repeating himself at the same
spot. He's merely trying to mark his territory.
Book on puppy
care
Place this handy reference
guide on a shelf in your bedroom, den or kitchen. You never know
when you'll need a quick answer. See our Links page for some suggested reading!
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