Corgi Checklist: Puppy Proofing Your Home

All puppies are naturally curious and love exploring; corgis are no exception. This means they can easily get into all kinds of mischief and danger both inside and outside your house. It’s best to think of the little newcomer as a human toddler who doesn’t know what’s safe or unsafe for them. It’s your job to think.

Puppy-proofing your property entails removing potential hazards and creating a designated area for your dog. You should keep small sharp objects, cabinets, electrical wires, and harmful substances out of reach. This way you will create an environment that is completely safe for your puppy.

Puppy Proofing Your Home in 9 Steps

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Inspect Your Home

Many things could be dangerous to your new pup. To begin with, the little troublemaker might try to chew on electrical wires, ingest toxic cleaning materials or nibble on plants. In the best-case scenario, it will vomit and poop all over your precious carpets. Worst case scenario, the outcome might be fatal.

That’s why it’s wise to begin puppy-proofing your home by checking your rooms for any potential hazards and anything that may be chewed on or ingested, such as:

• electrical cables
• hazardous plants
• tiny items
• sharp objects
• e-cigarettes
• batteries

2. Remove Small & Sharp Objects

Sharps objects can seriously hurt your dog’s paws, mouth and body if it steps or lies on them. Another hazard to look out for is any small objects that can be ingested and lead to choking. These can run the gamut from paperclips to Lego bricks, the list is endless, so use your common sense when determining what to keep out of reach.

3. Secure Rubbish Bins

Pups are notoriously curious and greedy. They will try to chew on and devour almost anything, including stuff that is not edible by any stretch of the imagination. Hardwood objects, plastic stuff or solid metal – puppies explore the world through their mouth and sense of taste – nothing is safe from those little muzzles.

If your corgi pup starts snooping through your rubbish bins, she might drag litter all over the floor or eat something that has gone off and get food poisoning. Ideally, you want to avoid all of the above. Use sturdy lidded bins or store the bins inside cupboards that can be securely closed.

4. Lock Away the Chemicals

There are loads of substances in a typical household that could be hazardous to a pup. Cleaning chemicals, toiletries and medicines are the most obvious threats to your corgi’s safety. However, some hazards might be less obvious to a new dog owner. Some potted plants and everyday foods, which are safe for humans but toxic to dogs, can be downright dangerous if ingested. Keep them in places that are difficult to reach or lock them securely.

5. Hide or Tape Cables

Remember what we said about puppies exploring the world through their mouths? That’s the bad news, the even worse news is that your puppy might try to chew on electrical wires and cables. Your corgi might end up getting an electric shock, and replacing the wires will be your last problem. Hide or tape away all cables to protect them and your corgi.

6. Protect Your Furniture

Corgis moult profusely and it can be hard to clean up after them. The worst part is excessive fur can get embedded into your sofas, beds, cushions and pillows. Consider buying sofa and bed covers so you can snuggle with your corgi without worrying about the fur.

If your corgi gets into the habit of chewing the wooden legs of tables or the padding of your chairs, for example, you can pad furniture corners to prevent damage to both furniture and corgi teeth. If that turns out to be futile, you can buy an anti-chewing spray from your pet shop or vet.

7. Keep Food Out of Reach

Corgis can get greedy, and pups have even less self-control than adult dogs. Don’t leave food on low counters or low tables where a corgi can easily reach it. More importantly, do not leave any food that can be toxic to dogs within reach of your pup.

8. Get a Dog Crate

Crates can be a great tool for teaching young pups how to behave. You can use a crate to teach a pup how to hold its bladder (dogs don’t like soiling their den), to discipline it by sending it to an enclosed area when it misbehaves or simply let it sleep inside when you are not around and cannot keep an eye on its destructive behaviour.

Just bear in mind that corgis thrive on human company, and you should not leave them inside a crate for extended periods. Make sure the crate is capacious enough for your corgi to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. You can add soft bedding and some toys to help your corgi feel cosy and snug.

9. Use Gates and Barriers

If you don’t want to buy a crate or you need extra measures to restrict your puppy’s access to certain areas of the house, you might consider using baby gates and barriers for added safety.

Make sure that windows and doors leading out of the house are always securely closed, otherwise your corgi pup might sneak out. Investing in door and window screens is a good idea if you want to keep your house ventilated while keeping the corgi safe indoors.

Likewise, if you have a garden where you can let your corgi play, make sure all fences and gates are in good condition and there are no holes through which your pup can escape into the street.

Puppy Proofing Your Home is Just the Beginning of Your Prep

Securing your home and keeping all hazards out of reach is a great first step in getting ready for the newcomer. In addition to all of the above, you should also provide a comfy bed and engaging chewing toys to keep your corgi occupied – this way it will have less time to think about destroying the wrong things. When you take all appropriate measures, you can have the peace of mind that you have done all to avoid injuries and accidents.

Want to learn more about how to prepare for your new corgi pup? Check out all our resources about puppies, so you can be 100% prepared.