As with any young being, a puppy needs to learn, run, and grow in order to be able to be smart enough to take care of himself. When you have a puppy in your life and in your family, there are some things that you should be doing to make sure that you are preparing him for the world without allowing him to be hurt by accident.

Preventing Injuries

It is very important for you to prevent puppy injuries whenever you can. Your puppy is a natural explorer - he is going to want to run around, to learn, and to play as much as possible. All of these are learning experiences that he is going to like to have, and they are all going to be good for him - except for the fact that he won’t know the difference between things that are safe for him to explore and things that are dangerous for him. This is where you come in.

As a puppy owner, it is your job to make sure that your puppy is as safe as possible. You need to be sure that you are puppy proofing your home before you even allow a dog to be a part of your family. You need to act as if you are baby-proofing a home. First, remove anything that might be in the dog’s reach that might be dangerous to him. Electrical cords, poisons, and any small objects he might eat should be moved so that they aren’t going to be a problem for him. Remember that when he does get a hold of something that he shouldn’t’ have, you should remove it from him, tell him “no” firmly, and then replace it with something that he can have, like a toy or a treat. Be sure that you give him plenty of things to chew on and play with, because when a puppy is bored they are going to be more likely to be a problem. Therefore, keep him occupied.

You also want to keep your puppy in a safe place when you aren’t around to keep an eye on him yourself. You should be sure that he is going to be somewhere that is safe for him to be, and that you aren’t allowing him to be anywhere that might be dangerous. Keep him in a kennel when you aren’t home, until he is older and you know what he can be trusted to do. If you have him wear dog clothes, insure that they fit him right and that he won’t be able to choke on them.

When you are away from your home with your puppy, always keep him on a leash. Remember that puppies will run away if they have a chance, and it is all too easy for them to be hit by cars, stolen, or to fall into something that they shouldn’t. You want to be sure that you are doing your part to keep your puppy safe at all times, so that he can grow up to be that perfect dog.