Congratulations on your new pup! Now comes the important job of puppy-proofing your home, so that your curious fur baby doesn’t get hurt or create disaster. This means removing or securing anything that a puppy might chew, swallow, knock over, or trip on. After having one of my favorite dresses ripped to shreds and an emergency trip to the vet after our pup swallowed some beard wax lying around the house, trust me when I tell you this is non-negotiable. 

Puppies explore with their mouths, and until they learn what’s okay and what’s not, they need a safe environment. In fact, AKC behaviorist Mary Burch advises that one of your first tasks is to puppy-proof the house, since your little friend “can get into trouble until he learns the rules and develops physical skills.” Yes, proofing can seem like an elaborate task to take on but it is crucial for your puppy safety as well as the safety of your valuables and household essentials. 

Armed with an effective puppy-proofing checklist and the right tools, you can get this done without feeling overwhelmed. Let’s help you get started and figure out what all you need to protect from your puppy and protect your puppy from. 

Do You Really Need to Puppy-proof Your Home?

If I had a dime for every time I get asked this question! To a lot of people, pet parents included, the practice of puppy-proofing a home seems excessive. But it’s really not. I insist it is just as essential as baby-proofing a home. After all, this is a little baby whose responsibility you’re taking on. Besides,  puppies are extremely curious, unbelievably naughty, and born chewers and climbers. They teethe and test boundaries. They know no danger. They get into all sorts of trouble. 

As a result, even simple household times can prove lethal. Chewing on an electrical cord is actually the leading cause of electrocution in dogs. Likewise, chemicals under the sink can poison a curious puppy, and a fall down the stairs can cause a serious injury. In addition to ensuring your pet’s safety, puppy-proofing also protects your belongings. Many new owners share stories of how their puppy ripped apart plants, shoes, or cables within hours of arrival. I’m one of them. 

My current pet was a hurricane of a puppy, destroying everything in his wake for the first couple of weeks. One of the many casualties was a dress I adored and carelessly left unfolded on the couch after coming home late one night. The next morning, by the time I woke up, he had shredded it beyond any salvaging. A set of paper mache coasters were another casualty. This after I had carefully puppy proofed the house. Imagine if he had a free rein!

Accidents might still happen, but by taking proactive steps, you can limit the damage substantially. So yes, investing time in puppy-proofing can help prevent losses and injuries. Here a quick roundup of top reasons to puppy-proof your home:

• Your pet’s safety 
• Preventing access to forbidden items so that your puppy doesn’t learn “bad habits” like chewing cords or jumping on counters
• Setting the foundation of training by teaching your puppy boundaries 
• You can relax a bit knowing your pup is in a safe zone
• No risk of destruction 

Essentials for Puppy-proofing Your Home

Puppy-proofing your home IS the answer to mitigating every conceivable disaster, the thought of which sends a shudder down your spine. Your puppy getting trapped in a small space, chewing on a live wire and getting electrocuted in the process, taking a tumble down the stairs, chewing through your carpet and then proceeding to projectile vomit all over the house. Oh, the horror! 

All of this and much more can be prevented by learning how to doggy proof your home. So, let’s get to it and take a look at this exhaustive puppy-proofing checklist. Whether you’re looking for ideas and tips on puppy-proofing apartment or your yard or a big house with open spaces on all sides, this checklist has you covered:   

1. Baby Gates

If you have stairs, open kitchens, or rooms with hazardous materials, think a workshop with tools lying around, your pantry or laundry room, baby gates are a must. Gates help you confine your puppy to the safe areas of the house and prevent them from entering the portions where they could get in trouble for their mischief. A puppy-proof home must have baby gates on staircases or entryways. 

You can also use gates to section off parts of a room, creating a puppy-safe zone. Some are pressure-mounted, for short-term use, while others bolt to walls for permanent safety. Pick one based on your needs. 

Pro Tip: Look for tall gates, so that they can effectively keep your puppy out even as they grow

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2. Bitter Sprays and Deterrents

Any object you absolutely don’t want chewed, such as shoes, furniture legs, remote controls, can be protected with a bitter-tasting spray. Bitter apple spray or similar dog-safe bitterants go on items so puppies find them unappetizing. While it won’t train your puppy by itself, it certainly discourages that first bite.

Using these on surfaces like wood, furniture, plants, or shoes is a simple way of puppy-proofing your home and saving your valuables from the wrath of a teething puppy who can chew through anything they can lay their hands on. Reapply as directed. 

For plants, some people also scatter citrus peels or use vinegar sprays, both natural deterrents, to keep pups away. However, some pet parents use perfumes or deodorants as bitterants, which may not be safe for your puppy. It’s best to stick with sprays formulated for this purpose, with puppy-safe ingredients. The Grannick’s Bitter Apple spray has been my go-to. 

Pro Tip: Combine the use of a bitterant with a verbal command, “no”, and follow it up with redirection to a toy, and you’d have taken the first step toward training your puppy. 

3. Cord Protectors and Outlet Covers

Puppy-proofing wires and electric chords is one of the most essential steps in this process. Puppies chew cords out of boredom or teething, which puts them at an increased risk of electrocution. That’s why, when you’re learning how to doggy proof your home, this is one aspect you just cannot overlook. Here are some simple ways for puppy-proofing wires in your house: 

• Use vinyl or plastic spiral wraps over cords, making them too bulky and unpleasant to chew
• Hide cords using covers that adhere to walls or baseboards
• In rooms where cords must be present, use plastic outlet caps or blockers so puppies can’t poke their noses or water into a socket

According to dog trainer Trevor Smith, “Chewing cords can cause burns and heart damage. Using cord protectors can prevent an emergency trip to the vet.”

Suggested Reading: 10 Puppy Starter Kits Worth Every Penny

4. Secured Trash Cans and Cabinets

Dogs adore garbage. They’ll pull bags out of open cans and ingest nasty things. That’s why a puppy-proof home must have trash cans with a tight-fitting lid or one that latches shut. Likewise, for cabinets containing cleaners, chemicals, or medications, use child-proof locks or simply keep lids closed.

This goes a long way in preventing any untoward incident due to ingestion of food scraps, toxic cleaners, medications, or small items. Speaking of small items, also take care to keep objects like pencils, buttons, coins out of your pup’s reach. Puppy-proofing your home is, largely, common-sense “out of reach” management.

5. Plant Protection

Whether you are puppy-proofing apartment or a yard, keep in mind that many common houseplants are poisonous to dogs. Lilies, ivy, pothos, to name a few. And puppies love to chew on plants out of curiosity. Any plants that can be toxic to dogs need to be removed from lower areas and placed at a height where your puppy can’t reach. If you can’t move a plant, consider spraying it lightly with a dog-safe deterrent or covering its pot so the soil isn’t accessible.

Pro Tip: Teach a “leave it” cue when you see your puppy sniffing plants. Training plus prevention is key.

Suggested Reading: Puppy Chewing on Paws? Causes and Remedies

6. Other Essentials

A well-rounded puppy-proofing checklist doesn’t just have the right tools and products to keep your pet safe during their initial days in your home but also items that serve as positive distractions from whatever it is that your dog is curious about or interested in gnawing at. So, you need to have a variety of safe chew toys at hand. If you catch your puppy chewing something he shouldn’t, redirect calmly with a toy.

Takeaway

Puppy-proofing your home can be a lot, but tackle it room by room and you’ll get there. One great way to simplify the process is to get all the essentials on your puppy-proofing checklist before you get your pet home, and start with the most crucial fixes. You should at least have a puppy-friendly zone set up before bringing your pet home, and the rest you can take care of over the next few days.