Puppy-Proofing Your Backyard

~ Bringing a puppy home is fun, exciting and magical. But while there is a lot of cuteness and cuddles to enjoy, there is also a lot of hard work involved in getting your home ready. The ideal home for most dogs will have an outdoor space to run around, so a garden is a perfect playground for your pooch. Even if you don’t let the puppy in, he can happily roam and sniff around the yard.

If you have never had a puppy before, here are some things that will benefit your family in puppy-proofing your backyard and get your home ready for your furry little bundle of joy.

Clean It Up

Your garden can be a lot of fun for your dog, with all kinds of things to sniff, dig and play with. But it can also be full of hazards if you are not careful. Make sure that you clear any debris or harmful objects that could hurt your puppy. There are also some plants that are poisonous to dogs that you should be aware of, and make sure you clear them from your backyard before you bring them home. For example, I used to have a Sago palm that adopts in Florida really well and sheds its fruits to the ground. My puppy found these little palm nuts very appetizing. Not knowing that they were poisonous, I let her play with them, and for the next two days, my little girl was very sick. That plant is no longer gracing our backyard. Please do your research about the vegetation inside and outside your home. Indoor plants post risk as well. Please get educated on the accessible leaves that might cause a health risk to your puppy.

Check Your Fence

Holes in your fence might not bother you right now, but they soon will when your puppy escapes through them! Secure your backyard by bringing in a fencing company. This will not only stop your puppy from getting out but can stop other creatures from coming in. Inspect your fencing regularly to make sure there are no signs of damage, and if there is anything, keep your pet out of the backyard until it’s been fixed. Recently, my dogs took me for a walk, and we saw a little cute half pug, have husky (believe it or not) barking right on the road at us. This pet had a collar and a tag. It took me a great effort to make it sit and while I reached for the tag, the escaped dog bit me. Well, I did find the owners and brought the dog back, but their fence had a little hole in it. So checking the perimeter of the fenced-in property, even if its already secured is a good idea. Schedule it monthly to check on your fenced in yard to avoid a further headache.

Keep Perishable Furniture Out of Reach

Dogs, especially puppies, love to chew. And they will not care whether or not your patio or indoor furniture is dear to you! If you have anything perishable, keep it locked away when your dog is left unsupervised. The same should go for perishables inside your home. Shoes are particularly appealing for dogs to chew, so make sure you keep them out of sight! My living room antique chairs with ornamental legs are all chewed up, to our sadness. That prompted me to get a bitter apple spray in the first year of my pooches lives. Once sprayed on the desirable household item, my pooches stopped gravitating towards destroying it, thank Goodness.

Protect Your Pet From the Pool

Dogs love to swim, and you can help them learn in a safe and shallow environment and when they’re big enough. If you have a pool in your backyard, you should never leave your puppy unsupervised. Putting a fence around your pool can help keep curious pups at bay, keeping them safe and your pool safe from any little presents your dog might decide to leave there! My first doggie Panda, actually fell into the pool this way. It stepped onto the pool cover and fell in. After this trauma, she never wants to go for a swim, and not happy during bathing. Please be aware of this issue as well.

Dogs are a joy to bring home, but they need a lot of care and planning to make sure they settle into their new home. You’ll learn a lot through living with dogs, and the more knowledge you can get in advance of your pup’s arrival the better. Making your home safe and secure should be a priority, and getting your backyard ready will give them a place to run around and enjoy from the moment you bring them home. Make your backyard the perfect place for your puppy as they start to make your home their own.

With utmost love for these Angels on Earth,

Luda@PlantsandBeyond🌿

Photographs listed here do not belong to Luda @PlantsandBeyond.com, except for my own Zoe near her favorite living room furniture 😉

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