When you bring a puppy into your home you need to be aware of any possible safety issues around the house and garden.
Leaving a young pup home alone with unrestricted access to the back garden or house is a serious safety risk for your pup. Coming home to find a pup has got caught up in some chicken wire, broken a leg jumping off a table, choked on a piece of irrigation hose, swallowed the batteries from the TV remote, or has serious lacerations from trying to dig an escape route under a sharp-edged steel fence, is absolutely devastating.
You wouldn’t leave a human toddler in such a situation, and you need to apply similar principles when it comes to keeping your pup or adolescent dog safe.
There are many hazards to watch out for and you need to be particularly vigilant with a young pup whose curiosity will grow as his confidence in his new home increases, and therefore his ability to get himself into trouble grows with it.
What are some of the dangers to look out for and what can you do to keep your pup safe?
IN THE HOUSE
Power cords, combustion heaters, and heavy objects that can be pulled over.
Cleaning chemicals that can cause serious harm if ingested.
Cords for window blinds and curtains pose serious risks for entanglement.
Children’s toys, pens, rubbers, and anything lying around are a potential choking hazard for dogs. Check dog toys regularly for wear and tear and discard if coming apart, especially squeaky toys as the internal squeaker can cause choking or internal blockages.
Batteries found in toys are extremely dangerous if chewed or swallowed, especially Lithium-Ion batteries because of how corrosive they can be in a short amount of time.
Rubbish bins contain all sorts of dangers for dogs, from foods that are toxic for animals, to choking hazards and waste that can cause intestinal blockages if swallowed. Secure your rubbish in a bin with a locking lid or in a cupboard inaccessible to your dog. And don’t underestimate your dog’s determination to get into something nice and smelly!
Many human prescription and over the counter medications are toxic to animals. Make sure that all medications, including those prescribed for your dog, are kept in sealed containers out of reach.
IN THE GARDEN
Make sure to secure pools, pool filters, fences, drains, and sheds.
Fish ponds, even if shallow, can be a drowning hazard for a curious pup.
Fertiliser products cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation, which may involve symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersalivation, lethargy and abdominal pain. Because fertilisers are usually a combination of ingredients, the effects following ingestion may differ.
Rodent poisons (rat or mouse bait) are one of the most common causes of pet poisonings. Most rat and mouse bait products use anti-coagulants that kill animals by causing uncontrolled bleeding. They are designed to be attractive to animals, making it easy for your pup to sniff out and hard to resist.
Metaldehyde is a common ingredient of snail and slug bait. Ingestion can be fatal and there is no antidote. The effects of metaldehyde ingestion include anxiety, elevated heart and respiratory rates, incoordination, severe muscle tremors and death. Other poisons may be present in snail and slug bait products causing damage to other body systems such as the liver.
Insecticides are readily available for home and commercial use and are highly toxic to pets. Signs of insecticide poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, muscle tremors, and seizures and may be fatal.
The consumption of some flowers and plants can cause reactions varying from a mild rash to death. Brunfelsia (AKA Yesterday Today and Tomorrow) is especially poisonous for puppies – particularly the berries. Other dangerous plants include Azalea, Rhododendron, Morning Glory, Oleander, Tulip bulbs (dogs who dig can be at risk), and weeds such as Wandering Jew, just to name a few.
Many garden trees and plants drop fruit stones, berries, or seeds. Ingestion can lead to intestinal blockages/obstructions which can be fatal and some may contain toxic compounds, which can be poisonous to your dog.
Eating bird droppings can expose dogs to caustic substances like uric acid and bacteria like salmonella, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and other health problems.
Injuries to young bones that are not fully formed from running, jumping, and diving are high risk for pups left in a large back garden for long periods of time without supervision, especially for larger breeds.
As always, PREVENTION is better than cure.
A crate, puppy pen or dog run at home can keep your pup or dog safe when you are not home, and when you are home but need time to concentrate on other tasks and are unable to supervise him. It is important to keep obvious hazards secured out of the way, but when it comes to everything else, it is much easier and safer to put the fence around your pup, than to fence off every possible hazard. (See photos below for some awesome set ups).
Along with the humble leash and constant, active adult supervision, containment has an important place in your plan to keep your pup safe, but teaching your puppy how to cope with containment has other benefits too. It enables you to:
Provide a safe place to rest and observe the comings and goings of a busy household;
Manage your puppy, head off unwanted behaviours and prevent existing undesirable behaviours from turning into entrenched habits;
Teach your puppy an off switch;
Teach him how to be separate from you;
Help him to develop emotional strength and independence;
Prepare for boarding or hospitalisation;
Cope with rehabilitation requirements after surgery.
Always ensure access to fresh water and if your pup is contained outside make sure to provide adequate shelter from the elements.
If you are bringing a new puppy home soon and want to set him up for safety and success for the best possible start in life, get in touch with us to find out about our in-home puppy consultations and programs.
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