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Keeping Your Puppy or Dog Safe
© Darlene
Arden
Puppies are as clever as small children when it comes to getting into mischief. Sometimes that mischief can prove to be downright dangerous. It’s up to you to puppyproof your home just the way you would childproof it. It’s a matter of safety and it can be a matter of life or death. Older dogs, too, can get themselves into trouble. Here are some tips to help you keep your dog or puppy safe..
1. Patrol the floor for small objects. These would include paperclips, pins, needles, tacks, and if you have small children, little toys or pieces of toys.
Watch out for dropped pills that a dog or puppy might
pick up and swallow. And never give chocolate to your canine
companion.
2. Tape electric cords to the wall. Curious puppies are always looking for something to chew, especially when they’re teething. An electrical burn can be fatal.
3. Cover electrical outlets. You can buy these covers in any hardware store.
4. So many plants are poisonous that it is wise to either keep all plants out of reach or not have any plants whatsoever.
5. Lock all cabinets. If you have cleaning products within easy reach, your puppy can easily reach them. You can buy childproof locks to install on cabinet doors.
6. Keep your puppy out of the garage where there may be oil or antifreeze on the floor. If your puppy licks it, or walks through it and then licks his paws, he can get deathly ill.
7. Beware of lawn chemicals. These can be poisonous. Even if you use a company to spray your lawn, you must wait for it to dry before allowing your puppy or dog to walk on it. Also beware of any powders you put on your rug to clean or deodorize them.
8. Beware of salt and ice melt on winter roads, sidewalks and stairs. Wash your puppy or dog’s feet the minute he comes in from a walk so he doesn’t lick the salt or icemelt off his paws.
9. Be sure to supervise whenever children are present. Puppies can be picked up and easily dropped and injured by a child who may not understand the difference between a real puppy and a stuffed animal. Also, when it pain a dog has no other choice but to clamp down which means the child could be bitten and the puppy blamed when the child precipitated the bite by causing pain. Children are often very rough with dogs and puppies and parents seem to be oblivious to this. For safety’s sake, never leave dogs and children unsupervised.
10. Be sure that all dog toys are of an appropriate size so they can’t lodge in the puppy or dog’s throat. Remove squeakers so your puppy or dog won’t swallow them, and don’t let your dog or puppy play with sticks because they can have sharp edges that cause tissue damage. Never play fetch with a stick especially if the stick is wet because it can break off in the dog’s mouth or throat. This is a real safety hazard.
11. Always provide a safe place, either a gated off room or an x-pen set up on an easily washed floor, or a crate so that your puppy will be safe when you have to be gone for any period of time.
This is all about keeping your puppy or dog safe but equally important is to have fun with your four-legged family member. Give your canine companion a hug and share some quality time every day. |
Ch. Finnesse Signet Supernatural, TP ("Zoe")
and her puppies
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