Keep your dog safe when you’re away

Have your puppies been getting into trouble while you’re away? Do they chew, make a mess, dig and do all kinds of things they’re not supposed to do because they’re bored or anxious? This is normal for dogs, but it doesn’t make it any less stressful. Your dogs are an important part of your family, so you should consider some of the following tips to puppy proof your home to keep your dog safe while you’re away.

Puppy proof your home

The first thing you should do when bringing home new fur babies (or letting them roam around the house on their own for the first time) is to make sure your home is dog safe. Start your puppy proof efforts in the kitchen. Make sure your dog can’t get into any cabinets, on the countertops or into the sink where there could be poisonous food, such as chocolate, avocados or onions. You also should make sure they can’t get into cleaning supplies, medication or other toxic substances.

Before you leave, be sure to close the doors to rooms you don’t want your dog to get into, such as the bathroom. Put breakable items and choking hazards in places they can’t reach or inside drawers or containers. Ensure the garbage can is closed and secure. The fewer items they can destroy or fit in their mouth, the safer they’ll be and the happier you’ll be when you get home.

Consider using pet-safe window coverings like cordless blinds or wooden blinds to eliminate potential choking hazards.

Puppy proof your yard

If you have a doggy door or can leave your pups outside, you need to make sure your yard is safe and secure. The most important aspect to properly puppy proof is the fence. You need to make sure your dogs can’t jump over, dig under or get through the fence in your yard. Look for companies, such as Florida State Fence, that can install a fence that fits your yard and pet needs to make sure your dogs don’t run away. If you have a pool, you also need a fence around the perimeter so your dogs don’t accidentally fall in. Then, take a look at the plants, bushes, flowers and trees in your yard to make sure they are dog safe. Some of the most common culprits are azaleas, lilies, oleanders, daffodils and tulips. If you have any harmful plants, pull them out immediately. You also need to ensure that your pets are safe from any pesticides or sprays used in your yard.

Monitor your dog’s activity

If you’re still worried what your dogs are up to when you’re away, set up a nanny cam or a security system to monitor their activity. You can review the recordings when you get home or check in from your smartphone to see if they’re playing, napping or getting into trouble. This may help ensure your home is dog safe and ease your own anxiety about leaving them alone. As an added bonus, you may spot problem areas you hadn’t previously considered.

Keep your dog safe and occupied

Many dogs get in trouble when they get bored or anxious at home. Before you leave for work or to go out, give your pups a treat and a toy to keep them occupied for a long period of time. Treats like rawhide bones take a long time to eat and will keep them busy longer. You also can put a treat or peanut butter inside a kong or puzzle toy to keep them active and playing for a while. Figure out what their favorite toys are so they will be happy even when you’re away.