Firefly Dobermans - Puppy Proofing Your Home

Tips To Help Puppy Proof Your Home
Introducing a new puppy into your home can be fun and exciting if you understand their basic care needs. Being a good owner also means providing this new addition to your family with appropriate discipline and training.

Put anything that could be dangerous or expensive to replace out of reach
Puppies are a lot like toddlers. They require constant supervision until it is old enough to be trusted alone in the home
Plan on spending lots of time exercising and playing with your pet
Invite a wide variety of friends to the home during the first few months to meet your new puppy. Early socializing will reduce the likelihood that your pet will be fearful or aggressive to people as an adult

Remove anything breakable from anywhere your puppy could possibly reach. This will help keep you puppy safe and save you a lot of frustration.
A puppy in the chewing stage should never be left alone in a room with floor-level electrical cords. Always provide lots of safe chew toys for it.
Mini-blind cords can pose a suffocation hazard (cut the ends of the loops or tie up long cords).
Keep your floor picked up. Small items (rubber bands, strings, etc.) that fall to the floor can cause death or serious harm to your pet’s digestive system if swallowed.
If you didn't see your pet on the way out of the house, before you drive away, be sure they are not sleeping under your car.

Avoid leaving these unexpected poisons within your puppy's reach, and keep a watchful eye on pets if any of these items are nearby:

Chocolate. Although seemingly harmless. Chocolate contains theobromine. Amounts vary by type of chocolate it is poisonous to dogs and can cause epileptic seizures and/or death.
Aspirin. Aspirin can be given to dogs if it's the right dosage. ALWAYS consult your vet! Dogs are particularly sensitive to the side effects of drugs like Aspirin: pain, bleeding and ulceration
Poisonous Plants. Azaleas, oleander, mistletoe, sago palm, Easter lilies, and yew plants, poinsettias, caladiums, dumb cane, English ivy, holly, hyacinths, hydrangeas, Jerusalem Cherries, lantana, and philodendron.
Cleaning solutions and detergents. When using cleaning products keep a watchful eye on your puppy. Always store cleaning supplies out of reach of your new puppy.
Automotive antifreeze. This tastes sweet to them and it only takes a few licks to be fatal.

For more information please visit the Animal Poison Control Center on the ASPCA website.

Don’t forget: Keep your veterinarian's name and phone number in a convenient place. If your veterinarian does not offer emergency services, ask for the name and phone number of the nearest animal emergency facility.

Collars and Microchips
An ID tag or microchip can help to be a lost pet's ticket home. If it’s a collar, the tag should include your address and day and evening phone numbers. If you microchip your pet, be sure to complete/update all database registrations so your pet’s information can be retrieved and you can be reunited.