Yesterday morning in South Elgin, IL, pet owners left their two dogs home alone. They came back to face extensive damage to their duplex, thanks to a fire started by one of the dogs. It seems the dog turned on a burner while attempting to get at a pizza box left on top of the stove. Fortunately, the dogs were unharmed. The importance of dog-proofing your home, and ensuring the safety of your dog, cannot be understated.
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| Ooh, that was a bad dog, very bad… |
There are many ways dogs can get themselves into serious trouble, risking life and furry limb or property damage. Knowing the possibilities, then preventing them in the first place, can go a long way toward providing a safer, healthier home environment for your dog (and yourself, for that matter!) What are some risky behaviors of dogs?
- chew electrical cords
- knock over lamps, plugged-in appliances and electronics
- knock over breakables which may cause injury (for example lacerations from glass or ceramic shards) or damage keepsakes and valuables
- ingesting items which may cause gastrointestinal injury or blockage (sharp objects, cleaning supplies and other toxic substances, upholstery stuffing or foam, cloth/yarn/thread/string, chocolate and other foods not suitable for dogs)
How can you ensure better safety for your dog?
Crate and crate training: Dogs love the security of their crates, and if trained properly (the crate should never be used as a punishment), your dog will enjoy being in his crate while you’re not home.
Safety/Baby gate: For when you are not home, this would be an alternative option to crating, but be sure they won’t jump over or bust it down. Additionally, the room they are restricted to must be free of any hazards.
Dog-proof your home (just as you would for baby, anything that the dog can possibly reach should be safe for the dog or put away):
Crate and crate training: Dogs love the security of their crates, and if trained properly (the crate should never be used as a punishment), your dog will enjoy being in his crate while you’re not home.
Safety/Baby gate: For when you are not home, this would be an alternative option to crating, but be sure they won’t jump over or bust it down. Additionally, the room they are restricted to must be free of any hazards.
Dog-proof your home (just as you would for baby, anything that the dog can possibly reach should be safe for the dog or put away):
- Breakable or valuable items out of reach
- Know your poisons: be aware of those foods which are toxic to dogs, make sure they are kept in secure storage.
- Keep cleaning supplies and any other chemical substances, as well as scissors and sharp utensils and tools, out of possible reach.
- Provide safe toys, ones that cannot be destroyed/dismantled/shredded by the dog in your absence.
- Electrical outlet covers, latches on cabinets and drawers that could be pulled open, even covers for stove burner dials, can go a long way in preventing possible accidents.
Obviously, the family mentioned at the beginning here would probably not have a home fire caused by their dog if they’d just not left a pizza box sitting out on top of the stove. Sometimes it’s the simplest, most basic things that can make the greatest difference in life. So never rule out the importance of something just because it seems minor.
You never know.
You never know.
Can you think of more ways we can make sure our dogs are safe?
I think that was a darn good list!
Great post! Sure am glad the two dogs are okay!
Oh my goodness that is just so crazy! Great list of tips.
Oh wow! They sure know how to get into trouble! That’s something that would never occur to me. Well, the trying to get into a pizza box yes. Starting a fire in the process, no.
Glad the dogs made it ok, sad for the house though. Shame some people don’t think about pet proofing their home as they would child proofing. I’m not a huge fan of crating because I think of the fire scenario again and they are literally trapped in the crate. However, I do understand a lot of dog parents are 100% crate. The other two are fabulous imo. Before we got my boy, we dog proofed the house. Then as he was here, we found other areas of improvement, like didn’t think he would paw up on the counter and steal my dang cookies! hehe
Great list and thanks!
How scary for that family, but I agree. Until you know your dog isn’t going to get into serious mischief, dog-proof or crate the dog. Good list, by the way!