Welcoming a new puppy into your home is such an exciting time and you only want the best for your new little bundle of fluff. To ensure both your furry friend’s safety and the survival of your belongings, it’s super important to puppy proof your apartment. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of puppy-proofing, from identifying potential hazards to building a shopping list.
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Puppy Proofing an Apartment 101: Identifying Potential Hazards
Cables and wires out of the way
We all know puppies love to chew, and cables are often irresistible. Use cable organiser clips or invest in cable covers to keep your puppy safe and avoid damage to your electronics.
Put away your favourite cushions and throws
If you’re quite house proud and love a throw pillow or two I would highly recommend removing decor items that may be valuable or particularly special for you. This isn’t forever, just pop them in the cupboard or out of reach of your puppy until they are a little older.
Any throws or cushions with tempting details like fringing or piped edges will become a target to those little needle teeth.
Put away fragile decor
Pups are prone to zoomies and jumping. This often doesn’t end well for fragile decor pieces. Store fragile decor items out of reach to prevent accidental breakage.
Remove valuable rugs while potty training
If you have a vintage rug that’s been handed down from generation to generation, it could be a good idea to roll it up and put it to the side until your pup has mastered toilet training.
Check your trash bins
Investing in a dog-proof bin to prevent your curious pup from rummaging through your waste. Choose a bin with a lid that a pup can’t get its head into. Not only will it create an awful mess if puppy gets into the rubbish they could also potentially eat something harmful for pups.
Chemicals and cleaning supplies
This is one you might think of for human children but not when you puppy proof an apartment. Place household cleaners and chemicals in high cabinets or secure them with baby locks to avoid accidental poisoning.
Food storage
Store food items securely, and out of reach of your puppy as some human foods can be toxic to dogs.
Toilet training puppy pads
These are of course a fabulous training tool but they might be just the thing you need to save your apartment floors too!
We have an article you might also like about how to potty train a puppy in an apartment.
Pet gates
Consider using pet gates to limit access to certain rooms or furniture pieces. While still toilet training you might choose to keep pups access to the kitchen and or dining room and block out the hallway leading to the bedrooms.
Small objects
Be super careful to clear away small objects that could be swallowed, posing a choking hazard. Lego and other small kids’ toys are a classic culprit here. Puppies learn through their mouth. If the item is little enough for them to try to eat they WILL try to eat it…
Medications
This will seem like an obvious one but be extra careful to keep medications and toiletries in closed cabinets to prevent accidental ingestion.
Balcony Safety
If you’re lucky enough to have a balcony as part of your apartment be sure to check for any gaps in railings that puppies may be able to fit through. We had this issue on our balcony. Before bringing puppy home with just got some lattice from the hardware store and tied it on nice and tight to cover any spaces that a little pup could potentially squeeze through.
Access to windows
While having windows to allow light in and let our doggos see out of is fabulous you want to make sure your dog isn’t able to climb up and out of those windows. It is particularly important when living in an apartment. Most dogs won’t be adventurous enough to try to get out a window high off the ground but in case you have a climber on your hands just watch for any objects that make it easy for the pup to access the window. Particularly if you’ll be leaving the pup home alone.
Essential Puppy-Proofing Shopping List
1. Pet Gates
A great apartment puppy proof tool! Choose adjustable gates to control your puppy’s access to certain areas of your apartment.
2. Cable Organisers
These little clips will keep your cords out of reach of curious little puppy teeth.
3. Dog-Proof Trash Bins
Invest in bins with secure lids to prevent your puppy from accessing potentially harmful waste.
4. Chew Toys and Treats
Get a bunch of puppy safe and durable chew toys to redirect your puppy’s chewing instincts away from your furniture and skirting boards.
5. Pet-Friendly Furniture Covers
Puppy proof the furniture in your apartment and protect them from scratches and accidents with covers designed for specifically for your furry friend.
6. Interactive Puzzle Toys
Keep your puppy mentally stimulated with interactive toys that also prevent boredom-related mischief. Again, this will be super helpful for protecting your skirting boards and furniture.
7. Dog-Proofing Sprays
These can be a lifesaver for pups that are insistent on chewing things they shouldn’t. These bitter-tasting sprays can be used on furniture edges and cables. The pups will still go for the item however they are then put off by the taste and are less likely to keep going back for more.
8. Elevated Food and Water Bowls
Reduces the risk of spills, saving you cleaning time but also helps to protect your wooden floors and carpets.
Training and Supervision
Beyond the physical changes you need to make to protect your apartment from a puppy, investing time in training is crucial. Positive reinforcement and consistent commands will teach your furry friend what is acceptable behaviour for inside the house. Always supervise your puppy, especially in the early stages, to correct any undesirable behaviour promptly. If you can’t supervise them, keep them in a safe space, crate or playpen until you’re confident they have behaved appropriately on their own in your apartment.
Remember, patience and consistency are key as your puppy explores its new surroundings. With these measures in place, you can focus on enjoying the delightful, fleeting moments and building a strong bond with your furry friend in your super safe, puppy-proofed apartment.
