Introducing a puppy into your home isn’t all cuddles and rainbows. While these canine companions undoubtedly make for an adorable family member, complete with snuggle sessions and slobbery kisses, they can also ransack your living spaces. Before a furry friend receives the necessary training, dog parents can find their new family additions paws-deep in all sorts of trouble. Some dog breeds (see Cane Corso) need a firm handler in order not to become feisty around unfamiliar people and other animals.
Unfortunately, once Fido sinks his teeth into your new sofa, it’s all over. Kitchens can become battlegrounds for an unsuspecting table scrap, and bathrooms become littered with shredded bath tissue. The obvious solution may be to purchase locks or install a barricade, but even puppies can outsmart a poorly-made child lock and vault their way over a gate.
While most puppy-produced destruction can be cleaned or repaired, some dogs can cause extensive property damage that can wreak havoc on your home’s resale value. Large dog breeds may be capable of breaking screen doors and gates, resulting in hundreds of dollars in restoration costs. Without proper grooming, a dog’s nails can scratch expensive flooring and pull out carpet loops. A dog with stress or separation anxiety may also resort to gnawing on baseboards and dismantling a door frame. The impact pets can have on your home can range from unpleasant odors to untidiness to outright equity reduction.
Although your pup may resort to deviant behaviors from time to time, there are plenty of ways you can puppy-proof your living space. With proper training and preparation, your dog will quickly become the most well-behaved member of your family.
Why your furry friend seeks to destroy
Destructive acts by your puppy are most often the result of typical animal behavior. No matter how many times you reprimand them, young dogs will continue to chew on the belongings easily accessible. The solution is to offer them toys meant for teething and ban your furry friends from areas where they can get their paws on choking hazards.
Long-lasting meaty chews that are fully digestible can also be an alternative to teething toys. With digestible chews, you won’t have to worry about your dog swallowing bits and pieces of the treat. Keep an eye on your pup still, as broken chunks of treats or chews can be choking hazards.
Stress, anxiety, and boredom have significant impacts on your dog’s health and behavior. A change in routine or a lack of exercise can cause any animal struck by cabin fever to release pent up energy they don’t know where to direct, resulting in damage to your home. High-energy breeds require constant stimulation and a regimented exercise routine. While they can be a handful at times, these dogs are also brilliant and affectionate companions.
If you’re up for the challenge of a fun-loving bundle of energy, start researching white labrador puppies for sale. In no time, you’ll welcome a burst of unbridled energy into your living spaces.
Make a puppy-only zone
Puppies are inherently curious beings with an innate desire to explore. These instincts can lead your canine companion in the direction of toxic substances and potentially dangerous areas.
As a solution, invest in puppy gates and pens to enclose them in a safe space. That way, they can play to their heart’s content without interruptions. You should also introduce your pup to crates and kennels as early as possible. These enclosures mimic a den, serving as a comfortable, quiet place for your puppy to retreat to when their environment becomes too overwhelming. Crates are also a great tool to keep your dog from pillaging the house when you are away. Just avoid keeping them crated for extended periods.
Don’t forget the yard
Your pup will be spending a significant amount of time investigating your yard and can easily find themselves in the epicenter of chaos. If your backyard doesn’t have a fence, researching fence installation is a must. Bigger dogs can effortlessly leap over seemingly tall barriers. With their larger breed’s deviant tendencies in mind, ensure these barriers are at least six feet tall and enclose the entire yard.
On the other hand, smaller breeds have a knack for squeezing themselves under a poorly constructed fence or digging tunnels for a quick getaway. To prevent high-speed chases, place rocks or wooden slats at the base of your fence, or bury chicken wire to prevent a pup from tunneling.
Closing thoughts
Bringing a puppy into your home is a joyful time. As adorable and harmless as they may appear, dogs can bring enormous destruction into your home and life. By following this advice, you’ll protect both your property and your fur baby.