Puppy Proofing: Safety for Your Pooch
Your home can be a dangerous place for your puppy, or even for your adult dog. Many common household items are toxic to dogs. Here’s a partial list:
Household Plants
Aloe, Azalea, Clematis, Daffodils, Easter lilies, English ivy, Hydrangeas, Philodendron, Rhododendron, Tulips
Harmful Foods
Avocados, Chocolate, Coffee, Onions, Grapes, Gum, Tea leaves
Household Supplies
Cold and flu medicine, Vitamins, Insect poison, Bleach, Fabric softener, Flea and tick medications, Oven cleaner, Detergents, Tobacco
Common Objects
Batteries, Buttons, Glass, Nylons, Paper clips, Socks, String, Wax
The best way to keep your dog safe from these hazards is to have a special puppy-proofed area of your home that is blocked off by gates or a pen. Your dog should be kept in this safe zone whenever you cannot give it direct supervision. (Supervision means being close enough to your dog to interrupt it if it attempts to get an unsafe item.) You also will need to work on a very solid cue to get your dog’s attention, as well as a “leave it” cue. We can help you with both.
If your dog gets into something it shouldn’t, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. You can find more complete poison prevention information at www.aspca.org.
Have fun and be safe!
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