Dog-Proofing Your New Home

After moving in to a new place, you may be worried about how your pet will behave in an unfamiliar environment. They may react by getting into anything and everything or snooping around in places they don’t belong. You may feel like dog-proofing your home is just another chore added to the list, but you won’t regret it. Follow this room-by-room guide to protect your home from a curious pup:

Kitchen

Start your dog-proofing process in the kitchen. Even though you may not know where you want to place everything just yet, you want to get those potentially hazardous items (knives, blades, etc.) out of paw’s reach. Unbox and put away all items that could be dangerous to your dog, which includes food and cleaning supplies. Store your trash in a bin with a lid and move chairs away from countertops to prevent your dog from climbing up. You may even want to install childproof latches on cabinets if your dog has a tendency to open them.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are another area of the house in which you don’t want your dog to get into your items. Unbox and put away all your bathroom cleaning supplies, medications, perfumes, and other hazardous items. Keep the toilet lid closed so your dog can’t drink out of it and immediately store any items with cords. You can use childproof latches in your bathrooms as well, if needed.

Bedrooms

There shouldn’t be much immediate work to do in the bedrooms. Cords and small items should be kept stored away. Keep shoes packed in a sealed box until you’re ready to unpack them if your dog tends to chew on them. Make sure to keep them in a closed-off area if so after unpacking.

Garage

Even if your dog will not be spending much time in the garage, it’s easier to start dog-proofing now rather than later when you’re fully moved in. Clean the floor of the garage as a previous tenant or the owner may have left dangerous substances, such as anti-freeze or leaked oil. Store chemicals and sharp objects in a safe place where your dog can’t get to them.

Backyard

Check your backyard for any plants that are toxic to dogs and remove them. Check for cocoa mulch, which is also toxic to dogs; it can be identified by its chocolatey smell. Look at the existing fencing to make sure there are no holes, broken slats, or other areas that could be a means for escape. Never spray pesticides on your grass because they are strongly correlated with cancer in dogs.

Wilson Property Management

Make the most of your time as a tenant with Wilson Property Management. We seek to offer a hands-on management approach to our owners by protecting their investments and enhancing the value of their property. We strive for “property management, leasing, and sales with a personal touch.” Contact us today!