Puppy Proofing Your Home for Teething Chaos

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, but it also means preparing for the inevitable teething phase. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, which often results in chewed-up shoes, furniture, and anything else they can sink their tiny teeth into. To save your belongings (and your sanity), puppy-proofing your home is essential. Here’s how to keep your pup safe and your home intact during this teething chaos.

Remove Temptations to puppy proof your home

Before your puppy even sets foot inside, take a walk around your home and identify anything they might find irresistible to chew on.

Shoes and clothing – Puppies love soft, chewable items with your scent. Keep them out of reach in closed closets or storage bins.
Electrical cords – Tuck away or cover exposed wires to prevent dangerous chewing.
Household plants – Some plants are toxic to dogs. Research yours and move any harmful ones out of reach.
Remote controls and gadgets – Small objects that fit in their mouth can be chewed to pieces or swallowed, so store them securely.
Children’s toys – Many dog toys look similar to kids’ toys, and vice versa. Keep them separate to avoid confusion and destruction.

Set Up a Safe Space

Puppies need a designated area where they can play and explore safely while you supervise their behaviour.

Use baby gates or playpens – These help restrict access to areas where they shouldn’t be unsupervised.
Provide a comfy crate – A properly introduced crate gives your pup a safe place to relax and prevents unsupervised chewing sprees.
Lay down puppy-safe flooring – If you’re worried about accidents or damage, use washable rugs or mats in their space.

Offer Plenty of Chew-Friendly Alternatives

Your puppy will chew, it’s a natural part of their development. The trick is to direct them to appropriate items instead of your furniture.

Teething toys – Invest in quality chew toys designed for puppies, such as a Kong
Frozen treats – Frozen carrots or Kong toys filled with dog-safe peanut butter can soothe sore gums, pop these in the freezer before giving them to your pup
Rotating toys – Switch up their toys every few days to keep things interesting and prevent boredom.

Supervise and Redirect

Even with the best preparations, your pup will still try to chew something they shouldn’t. This is where supervision and redirection come in.

Redirect immediately – Give them an appropriate chew toy and praise them when they engage with it instead.
Make sure they have enough safe chews to keep them entertained and always supervise them!

Teach Good Chewing Habits

Training is key to getting through the teething stage without lasting destruction.

Reward good behaviour – Praise and treat your pup when they choose to chew the right things.
Teach ‘drop it’ and ‘leave it’ commands – These are invaluable for preventing chewing mishaps.
Be patient – Teething doesn’t last forever. With consistency, your pup will learn what’s acceptable to chew and what’s not!

Teething chaos is just a phase, and with the right puppy-proofing, you can make it a lot easier on both you and your furry friend. By removing temptations, setting up a safe space, providing appropriate chew toys, supervising closely, and reinforcing good chewing habits, you’ll survive this stage with minimal damage. Before you know it, your pup will outgrow the teething phase and be well on their way to becoming a well-mannered adult dog!