| Before you adopt a new dog, you need to dog | | | | easy to install and not very expensive. They are |
| proof your house and yard. There are many items to | | | | invaluable if they keep your dog away from areas |
| consider. Dogs, especially young ones explore and | | | | that can not be dog proofed or where cherished |
| experience their world through smell and chewing. Will | | | | items are kept. |
| you be limiting the dogs access to certain areas of | | | | Be aware of toxic items such as cleansers, especially |
| your home or yard? What about items that are | | | | those with fragrances. Dogs are attracted by the |
| toxic, sharp or small enough to swallow? | | | | fragrance and can ingest these items. If you are |
| As a new dog owner, you need to view your home | | | | unable to store these items out of reach, at least |
| from a dogs point of view. This means get down on | | | | place them in a closed cabinet. Do not make the |
| your hands a knees and look for any inviting object. | | | | mistake of storing your dogs food in the same area. |
| A favorite chew and play item is cords from blinds | | | | If they smell their food, then all the items must be |
| and electrical appliances. These items need to be put | | | | good to eat. |
| out of reach as much as possible. Look for any small | | | | Keep your eye out for small or sharp items that can |
| knickknacks that a dog can reach. These items can | | | | be easily swallowed by your dog. Your goal is to get |
| easily be chewed, swallowed, knocked over and | | | | all ingest-able items out of their reach. Have plenty of |
| broken. The key to remember is, if you think your | | | | dog toys and chew treats accessible to your dog. |
| dog might be able to damage an item, it is up to you | | | | This will help to curb the dogs instinctive desire to |
| to get it out of his reach. | | | | chew. |
| Consider if you will limit your dogs ability to access | | | | Once your house has been dog proofed, you need |
| certain areas of your home. If so, you need to | | | | to do the same for your garage and yard. Try to |
| purchase and install dog barriers before he comes | | | | prevent an accident by being vigilant and prepared. It |
| home. Your local pet store will have a variety of | | | | is much cheaper and less stressful on you and your |
| barriers. Just be sure that it is tall enough that your | | | | dog if you can prevent an accident than to pay for |
| dog can not jump or climb over it. These barriers are | | | | an emergency vet visit. |