Tori K
April 1, 2019

How to puppy proof your home.

So, you (finally) got approved to adopt/foster your dog. You think you have finally made it and have a bed and some dishes waiting for him and all you need to do is bring him home, right? Not exactly, maybe you have already gotten necessary supplies to take care of your new furry friend, but you need to prepare for your dog to get into EVERYTHING. So, now you need to puppy proof. Here are some steps you can Puppy being playful take to ensure a safe environment for your dog to thrive in.

5 Puppy Proof Tips

Make sure the trash is out of reach.

This one is especially important because everything that we think to be trash goes in the trash which means there is no way anything in there is good for your dog. There are a lot of intriguing smells coming out of there too so don’t trust that your dog is going to leave it alone, it isn’t going to happen. As soon as the opportunity arises, they will jump in there to get anything that sparks their interest. Therefore, it is important to keep it out of their reach. I use my pantry but under the sink works as well and any other creative ideas you may have.

Contain or cover your cords.

If you have a super chewer like I do you know that they will put anything and everything in their mouths for fun. This includes electrical cords which can be very dangerous as you can imagine, especially when they become exposed. The best way to keep your dog from them is to get cord covers or deterrent spray.

Make sure personal bags are out of reach.

Think of how many possible toxins are in your purse or bag right now… deodorant, lipsticks, aerosol sprays, snacks… if you put within reach, they will get to it. It is important you don’t let them get ahold of these things because they can be very toxic to your dog. Zipping your bags shut (or however you close your bag) is a good way to keep them from getting in but just in case they chew their way in, try a coat rack or a coat closet.

Store medications.

Talk about potential toxins. There are very few medicines we humans can take that dogs can so if you have it, it is most likely they can’t. Try putting all your medications and vitamins in a cupboard of some sort so your furry friend can’t get to them

Store your cleaning products.

Same message as above with your medications. The only exception is that cleaning products have even more harmful things that can do a lot of damage to both us and dogs. The difference is, is that we know not to consume them however dogs don’t. This is why it is important to put them out of reach where they can’t get ahold of them.

Once you check these tasks off the puppy proof list, you officially ready to bring home your new family addition!

Preparing your Home to Foster a Dog

Foster Dog by Home

You have decided that you would like to foster a dog! Great! There are so many rewarding benefits to fostering a dog! Now its time to start preparing for your foster dog to arrive that includes getting fit to the right dog. What do you need to consider on your list of what you are not comfortable dealing with in your foster dog. Also, how to prepare your home and your personal pets!

Fitting to the Right Foster Dog

There are a few things that you must consider when being fit to the right dog for you and your family. First and foremost, how much time do you have to devote to this dog? If you are gone many hours of the day it is important to be fit with a dog that does not require as much attention. Also, some dogs need a foster parent to be home more hours of the day to provide medical care for any possible health issues. Finally, are there any behavioral problems that you are not comfortable dealing with? If you have children, you would not be comfortable having a dog that is aggressive towards children.

Preparing your Own Dogs

Before bringing a foster dog into your home with your current pets there are a few things that you need to do. One of those things is to make sure that your dogs are up to date on their vaccinations. You never know what the foster dog has been exposed to including upper respiratory infections, parasites, and infections.

Preparing your Home for a Foster Dog

When your foster dog arrives, you will want to have your home ready. Never underestimate what a foster dog is capable of getting ahold of or what they can get into. If you don’t want to lose it, put it away. The foster dog also needs its own designated area where it can feel comfortable and at ease. Make sure that this area is a space that is easy to clean up and has nothing that you do not want to lose in it.

Tips

Keep these items away from pets
- Electrical cords
- Toxic plants
- Toxic chemicals
- Medications
- Cosmetics
- Lotions
- Trash cans
Keep washer and dryer unit lids closed
Keep toilet lids closed
Block any spaces where your vacuum cannot fit but your foster dog could
Use child proofing latches to secure cabinets and doors

Now that you have know a little more about preparing for your foster pet you are almost ready to begin your rewarding journey.

For more information on fostering a dog for New Leash on Life, please visit our Foster page and complete an application.

For more information on preparing to foster a dog visit:

https://www.petfinder.com/animal-shelters-and-rescues/fostering-dogs/best-dog-foster-care/

https://www.petfinder.com/animal-shelters-and-rescues/fostering-dogs/preparing-to-foster-a-pet/

Should I Foster a Pet?

When thinking about fostering a dog there are many things that you must take into consideration. Preparing your home for a pet can be a lot of work as well as ensuring that the health of the pet fits with your best interests. Another aspect to think about is that most dog fostering programs are short term. Be sure that you will be prepared to let go of the pet when the time comes.

Preparing your Home for your Foster Dog

When preparing your home for a foster dog you need to have space to separate your personal dogs from foster dogs. A space without carpet is preferable. You will also need to prepare for cleanup and damages. The more that you can prepare, the more that you can prevent damages.

Your foster dog will likely need to see a veterinarian at some point in their stay with you. Check with the rescue to learn which veterinarian that they work with, most rescues work solely with one veterinary office that work with them at a reduced or no cost. With that being said, you must be able to get to the veterinary office quickly in the case of an emergency. Knowing the signs of illness in dogs is very important. Catching any sicknesses early and making an appointment to see the vet can be vital in preventing serious illnesses.

Foster Dog Running in Snow

Emotional attachment to a foster dog can be a difficult thing to deal with. Sometimes foster dogs may be with you for months, but you need to remember that the pet is with you temporarily. You must also be able to remind friends that this dog is not your dog to adopt out. Although, they can go through the rescue organization to submit an application for adoption.

Questions to Ask

Some things that you may want to know

Length of adoption
Who pays for medical bills
Who pays for supplies (food, leash, collar)
Attendance requirements at adoption events
Can you adopt the dog if you choose

The decision to foster can often be a difficult one, but it can be a very rewarding experience knowing that you did your part in rescuing a dog. When making the decision it is a good idea to take into consideration all aspects of protecting your current dogs, your home and being able to protect the foster dog from illnesses or injuries, as well as knowing what to do in those instances if or when they happen.