| It's deadline time. You've purchased your wonderful | | | | on higher tables you may want to put them away |
| new English Bulldog puppy and you're ready to bring | | | | until your puppy is a bit older. Fast running puppies |
| him home. Before you take the final plunge into | | | | can easily knock into a high table and break fragile |
| ownership, however, you must make sure that your | | | | glassware. |
| home environment is safe for your new dog. If you | | | | Keep your bathroom door closed. |
| follow the safety guidelines below and exercise a little | | | | This will prevent your puppy from stringing toilet |
| common sense, you can easily puppy-proof your | | | | paper all over your house. Make sure all bathroom |
| home. | | | | cleansers are safely tucked away and totally out of |
| The first step in puppy proofing your house is to | | | | reach. You can use child locks on cabinets if they're |
| view your rooms at a dog's eye level. Look around | | | | loose, or for added security. Also, keep the toilet lid |
| from his standpoint to see the possible trouble he | | | | down (especially if you use toilet sanitizers) even if |
| could get into in each room. Make sure you clear | | | | the door is closed. You really don't want your dog to |
| away all electrical cords and block off outlets for | | | | know what's in the toilet. Always keeping the lid |
| added safety. Remember, your pup explores with his | | | | down prevents your dog from regarding your toilet |
| mouth. If you don't want your furniture to get | | | | as his own private drinking fountain. |
| chewed on, be sure to treat it with a no-bite spray - | | | | In the kitchen, make sure your cabinet doors are |
| bitter apple is a very effective flavor. These sprays | | | | closed. |
| are inexpensive and are readily available through your | | | | Again, use cabinet locks if you suspect your dog may |
| veterinarian or your local pet store. | | | | be able to get into them. It's best to use a trashcan |
| Make sure that you clear away any hazards that | | | | with a secure lid. Carefully dispose of chicken, pork, |
| your pup might chew up. A good guideline is to put | | | | and turkey bones especially. You may want to take |
| away everything that isn't appropriate for your pup | | | | them out to the dumpster immediately. These bones |
| to nibble on. As noted above, babies will chew on | | | | can splinter if chewed, and could cause your new pup |
| anything and swallowing foreign materials (like | | | | serious distress. If you can regularly remove your |
| pantyhose) can be deadly. Ensuring that only | | | | trash, you will keep delectable smells to a minimum. |
| appropriate chew things are available has benefits | | | | It's best if your pup thinks there's never anything |
| other than safety. Doing this also helps your dog | | | | interesting in your trashcan. |
| learn what his toys are. It encourages good behavior | | | | Miscellaneous items that can be potentially dangerous |
| by making bad behavior impossible. | | | | to your puppy. |
| After you've taken care of the obvious, use the list | | | | Other things to watch out for around the house |
| below to puppy proof your home: | | | | include: Christmas tree ornaments, lit candles (which |
| Clear your tables. | | | | can be knocked over or too closely examined), |
| Even though they seem like short little guys, English | | | | medication bottles, antifreeze, automobile oil, |
| Bulldog pups will stand on their hind legs to explore | | | | pesticides and rodent poisons. Make sure all of these |
| coffee and end tables. Anything they can reach, they | | | | items are always out of your puppy's reach. |
| can chew. Additionally, if you have breakable items | | | | |