Your home is full of hazards a dog can't recognize. Walk through with fresh eyes before pickup day — and again once you see what your particular dog gets into.
Kitchen
- Use a lidded or cabinet-locked trash can — counter-surfing and trash-raiding are common.
- Store toxic foods (chocolate, grapes, onions, xylitol) well out of reach.
- Lock cleaning products under the sink.
Living Room
- Bundle and hide electrical cords — puppies chew them.
- Pick up small swallowable objects (coins, hair ties, kids' toys).
- Anchor tall, tippable furniture.
- Check houseplants — pothos, philodendron, sago palm, and lilies are toxic.
Bathroom & Bedroom
- Keep the toilet lid down and medications fully secured (dogs chew through bottles).
- Stash hair ties, dental floss, and socks — classic causes of intestinal blockage.
Garage & Yard
- Antifreeze tastes sweet and is deadly in tiny amounts — clean spills immediately.
- Store chemicals, sharp tools, and rodent bait on high shelves or locked away.
- Check fence gaps, gate latches, and any pooling water.
Most overlooked hazard: common houseplants and bouquets. Check every plant against the ASPCA toxic-plant database before it comes inside.
