How to Dog Proof House

Dog-proofing your home is essential for your dog's safety — especially for puppies and newly adopted dogs that are still learning the rules of the house. Dogs explore with their mouths, can access surprisingly high surfaces, and are attracted to smells that lead them to dangerous items. Here's a room-by-room guide to dog-proofing your home.

What You'll Need

• A pet exercise pen or baby gate: An exercise pen or baby gate to restrict access to rooms or areas that aren't yet dog-proofed.
• Bitter apple spray: Bitter apple spray applied to electrical cords, furniture legs, baseboards, and other items your dog might chew.
• A comfortable dog bed: A comfortable dog bed in each main living area — giving your dog a designated comfortable space reduces the urge to chew furniture or get into trouble.
• A Kong toy and Nylabone: A stuffed Kong toy and Nylabone chew — appropriate chewing outlets reduce destructive chewing of household items.

General Dog-Proofing Principles

• If it's on the floor, it's fair game: Assume your dog will investigate, chew, or eat anything at floor level
• Restrict access until trained: Use gates and exercise pens to limit your dog to dog-proofed areas until they've earned more freedom
• Provide appropriate alternatives: A dog with appropriate chew toys is less likely to chew inappropriate items
• Supervise until trusted: Never give a new dog or puppy unsupervised access to the whole house

Room-by-Room Dog-Proofing Guide

Kitchen

• Use child-proof locks on lower cabinets containing cleaning products, trash, or food
• Secure the trash can with a locking lid or store it in a locked cabinet
• Keep toxic foods out of reach: chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, macadamia nuts
• Store medications in locked cabinets — many human medications are toxic to dogs
• Keep counters clear of food when not in use —; counter-surfing dogs can reach further than you think
• Secure the dishwasher — dogs are attracted to food residue on dishes

Living Room

• Bundle and secure electrical cords with cord covers or apply bitter apple spray
• Remove or elevate toxic houseplants (pothos, philodendron, peace lily, snake plant)
• Secure remote controls, glasses, and small objects that could be chewed or swallowed
• Use furniture covers if your dog chews furniture
• Provide a comfortable dog bed as an appropriate resting alternative to furniture

Bathroom

• Keep the toilet lid closed — dogs drink from toilets and can fall in
• Store all medications, vitamins, and supplements in locked cabinets
• Keep razors, cotton swabs, and small objects out of reach
• Store cleaning products in locked cabinets
• Keep the bathroom door closed when not in use

Bedroom

• Store medications on high shelves or in locked drawers
• Keep small items (jewelry, hair ties, coins) off the floor and nightstands
• Secure electrical cords from phone chargers and lamps
• Keep laundry in a closed hamper — dogs chew and sometimes eat clothing

Garage and Utility Areas

• Store antifreeze, motor oil, and chemicals in locked cabinets — antifreeze is sweet-tasting and extremely toxic
• Keep tools and sharp objects out of reach
• Store rat poison and insecticides in locked cabinets — extremely toxic to dogs
• Keep the garage door closed when not in use

Toxic Houseplants to Remove or Elevate

• Pothos and philodendron
• Peace lily
• Snake plant (Sansevieria)
• Aloe vera
• ZZ plant
• Dieffenbachia

Check the ASPCA toxic plant database for a complete list.

Final Thoughts

Dog-proofing your home is a room-by-room process that requires thinking like a curious, food-motivated dog. Secure chemicals and medications, remove toxic plants, bundle electrical cords, lock the trash, and restrict access to un-proofed areas with gates. Provide appropriate chew toys and a comfortable bed in every main living area. A dog-proofed home is a safe home — for your dog and your belongings.