PREPARING FOR A ‘PANDEMIC PUPPY’
Supervision, dog-proofing are key to welcoming a four-legged companion into your home
If the plethora of adorable new puppies in your neighbourhood and on your social media feed has left you and/or your kids longing for four-legged companionship, you’re not alone. “Pandemic puppies” are trending and if you’re truly ready to make a long-term commitment, now could be the ideal time to become a pet parent.
Whether you’re welcoming a curious puppy into your home or an adult dog who doesn’t yet know what’s acceptable and what’s off limits, any dog in a new environment is bound to explore, so supervising your new addition and dog-proofing your home are key, says Claire Kilburn, an instructor at When Hounds Fly Dog Training in Toronto and owner of a border collie puppy.
Getting down on your hands and knees to explore your house through the eyes of a dog can give you valuable perspective.
“I always suggest people go through their home and make a list of all the things a dog might get into, which is pretty much everything,” says Caryn Liles, owner and head trainer of the Centre for Canine Education in Toronto.
BREAKABLES, CHOKING
Place breakables out of reach and secure unstable items that could be knocked over by a dog ’s wagging tail. Pick up choking hazards like paper clips and bits of string and pay attention to electrocution hazards. A puppy can chew through an electrical cord in seconds.
“I often suggest funnelling cords through PVC pipe,” Liles says.
CORDS, RUGS
Remove potential strangulation hazards — such as mini-blind cords and a dangling curtain fringe — from your dog’s reach by taping them down, tying them out of reach or removing them altogether. Roll up area rugs at least until your pooch is house-trained.
POISONS, GARBAGE
“We know to put away small items like the remote control, hair elastics and batteries and also have to make sure chemicals are stored away,” says Liles. “A lot of plants are toxic for dogs and puppies will absolutely chew on them. You can put an exercise pen around your plants to protect your dog from getting sick.”
Limit where they can go by closing doors and installing pet or baby gates. Properly secure garbage cans and compost bins that could contain dangerous items, ranging from expired medications and rotten food to food packaging. Ensure toiletries like shampoo and sunscreen are out of reach.
Keeping your dog on a regular feeding and watering schedule will make housebreaking easier. A
backyard is a definite bonus, but you can’t simply open the door and expect your dog to go outside to do their business and return.
“Especially with puppies, they’re going to investigate and get to know everything,” says Liles.
HOUSE TRAINING
For at least the first few months, she recommends going out with your dog on a leash to the spot where you want him to do his business. Reward him heavily when he eliminates and give him appropriate activities, such as playing
with his toys and relaxing. Invest in garden fencing or exercise pens to protect plants and gardens.
If you don’t have a backyard, pick up your puppy when heading out for a walk to prevent her from losing control of her bladder, Liles advises. If you have a balcony, consider setting out a litter pan or shoe tray lined with sod or artificial turf for emergency breaks.
“Take them out there even on leash and show them this is where they do their business and reward heavily when they do,” she says.
“A lot of people have a garden or
plants on the terrace or balcony so make sure the puppy is supervised.”
CRATE TRAINING
This will restrict your dog’s run of the house and help keep her safe while unsupervised. If used correctly, a crate can be a highly effective toilet training tool as well as a comfortable den.
Teaching your puppy to accept and enjoy her crate by offering treats and crating her even while family members are at home will help prevent separation anxiety, especially when you return to work in the office and kids go back to school. In general, trainers say puppies shouldn’t be crated during the day any longer than one hour for each month of the puppy’s age.
SOCIALIZATION CLASSES
As in-person dog training resumes, Kilburn also recommends puppy socialization classes, which offer access to an instructor and introduce dogs to new sounds, new experiences, new people and other dogs in a structured and supervised environment.