Friday, September 12, 2008

Dog Proof Your Home

By Nicky Van Der Bijl

Before your new dog moves in, make sure your home is safe for him.

Dog-proofing is a lot like child-proofing, basically it means removing anything that may be a danger or at risk of being broken.

Unplug or secure electrical cords out of reach to prevent electrical shocks or head injury from heavy appliances. A dangling cord is an irresistible temptation to a puppy. Store any hazardous mixtures such as insect spray, anti-freeze, poisons etc in a safe place. Remove all breakables out of reach.

If you have a yard, ensure that the fencing is intact and no holes exist. Check regularly to make sure that your dog is not digging a hole under the fence. Make sure that all gates are closed properly and that it cannot be pushed open by the dog. Also ensure that your swimming pool is covered, although most dogs tend to be natural swimmers.

If your dog is going to be outside, ensure adequate shelter from sun and rain is available. Kennels are ideal shelters, just make sure that it is the right size for your dog to be comfortable in.

Chewing - Puppies between the age of 3 -6 months have new teeth emerging causing them pain. Chewing on a hard object may help whereas a nylon chew toy that has been in the freezer overnight will be more helpful. Even when your puppy is not teething, they love to chew on something, whether it's a toy or your favourite pair of shoes. So get some chew toys that will satisfy his need to chew. Buy new toys regularly so that they remain interested.


Feel free to visit my blog for further discussions or comments on the above topic. http://dog-dilemmas.blogspot.com

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