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8 Ways to Dog Proof your Home

by Cory Brannon May 19, 2016

Before your adorable human baby turns into a toddler, you baby proof your home. Until your little darling develops her own common sense, it’s necessary to keep dangerous things out of reach and sharp corners contained. Dog proofing your home might look a little different, but it should still be done. After all, in some ways, dogs are like little toddlers that never grow up.

If you’re about to add a new dog to your family or the pup you have at home is fairly new, read these tips for dog proofing your home as soon as possible. Even if you’ve had your dogs for years, you still might learn a thing or two from this list. When it comes to your canine companions, you can never be too careful.

In the kitchen, make sure all foods that can harm your dog are always left out of reach. Keep chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, coffee, onions and avocados off the counters and make sure the dog has no way to get to them. You never know when he could decide to go snooping while you’re gone!
Do not leave your loose change on counters or tabletops. If your dog ingests a coin, you could have an emergency situation on your hands. Pennies minted after 1982 contain zinc, which dogs and cats can’t ingest. Keep your spare change in your wallet or purse and keep it away from the dog.
Do your research before you bring new plants into your home. Some of them are toxic to animals.
Watch your electrical wires. Some dogs enjoy chewing on them, so unplug them when they aren’t in use. You can also cover cords with plastic sleeves if your pup gets tempted to chew.
Hide your chewing gum. The Xylitol that is found in most gum is toxic to pets, especially small dogs.
Watch those windows. Open windows and doors in the summertime are great for letting fresh air in, but if they don’t open to a fenced yard, it’s best to keep them closed when you can’t monitor your dog so she won’t be tempted to jump out.
Be mindful of the expiration dates on your dog food and dog treats. Dogs can get sick when they eat expired food just like we can. If you can’t remember when you bought the goodies, don’t take risks. When in doubt, toss it out.
Keep your toilet lids down. Just trust us on this one.

With a few precautions and a little common sense, you and your dogs will enjoy a safe, happy home.