New Puppy Backyard Prep
Guest Writer: Brooke Chaplan
So much excitement comes with bringing home a new puppy! Getting lost in the anticipation, many families forget it is just as important to prepare their backyard as it is to puppy-proof the house itself. Here are several things that need your attention before you go to the shelter or breeder to pick up your furry new family member.
Designate a Bathroom Area
No one wants to walk into the backyard and risk stepping on something smelly. The area of the yard you choose for their bathroom should be easy to clean and, if possible, concealed or separate from the rest of the lawn. Keep this area clean so the puppy doesn’t eat their own waste either.
Watch Out for Plants and Chemicals
Plants such as rhododendron, yew trees, holly, lily of the valley, and certain fruit trees can be toxic or damaging to your pets and should be eliminated from the yard, or protected by fencing a puppy cannot go through. Weed killers, herbicides, fertilizers, and other yard chemicals shouldn’t be used around places your puppy will play. Just because it says “All Natural” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe.
Proper Fencing for Safety
When you bring a puppy home to live with you, everything will be strange and unfamiliar to them. For some, there is a high chance they might run away or leave your yard through sheer curiosity. Even if your puppy is kept close at home, an open backyard can allow bigger dogs or other animals who could threaten or attack a small puppy inside your boundaries. Call a company like Mills Fence to install a puppy-proof fence around the perimeter of your backyard, or at least part of it, to create a free-run play space that is safe for your pup.
Secure the Garbage and Garden Supplies
Puppies are curious creatures and love to get into things they’re not supposed to. Your garbage cans can hold many interesting smells, but also toxic materials and dangerous food scraps like onion peels, fruit pits, and sharp bones. Make sure you have a space for your cans the new puppy can’t get to.
Tools and materials used in the garden can also arouse curiosity and even appear to be fun play toys. Secure all shovels, rakes, and trowels, but don’t forget about flower pots, hoses, and other outside items.
Planning for a puppy means preparing the backyard bathroom, play, and exercise space just as much as you dog-proof the house. The last thing you want is an escape, injury, or ingestion of some toxic material.
“New Puppy Backyard Prep”
written by Guest Author: Brooke Chaplan
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan
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A QUESTION FOR YOU:
Do you have thoughts to share about preparing for a new puppy?
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It’s just sexy!
As always, thank you for taking the time to visit my blog!
♥ PEACE ♥
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These are great tips for new puppies!
Thanks for stopping by, Lola. I appreciate you!
Great ideas. Yes, we puppy proof the house and forget their other spaces. We don’t have a fenced in yard for Cocoa. If we had of known exactly how much energy she actually has we probably would have invested in one :). I guess it’s good that I have to get our multiple times a day to walk and run with her!!
Cocoa is not a morning person, but she does look like she’ll give you a run for your money. Dogs are good for us that way aren’t they? They get us out there walking. Enjoy her. 🙂