Week 6 - Puppy Proof

Garth on the Rug

In my research to prepare for puppy homecoming, I read all sorts of tips on how to puppy proof one’s home.  Take up all the rugs, remove any chewable objects, and generally hide anything of value.  Then how, I contemplated, would you teach the puppy to behave in a normal environment?  I can’t keep my living room like that forever!

So I made a deliberate decision NOT to puppy proof at all. I left everything right where it was, with every intention of teaching my puppy “Leave It” from day one. This method took a lot of dedication, because the puppy had to have 100% of my focus at all times.

I didn’t sit down for three weeks. Garth was constantly exploring everything.  He would run full speed into whatever it was he wanted to investigate, and then he would wrap his slimy gums around it.  He seemed convinced that he could fit the whole couch into his mouth if he just got a running start.

Because Garth couldn’t be trusted not to piddle in the house, I had to keep an even closer eye on him.  This proved to be more difficult than I anticipated. He would sneak under the coffee table, crawl amongst the dining room chairs, and dash through any open door.  The image of me snuggling with my puppy in front of the fireplace went up in flames as I struggled just to keep him within sight.

Sure enough, Garth learned “Leave It” very quickly.  However, he did not learn “Don’t Touch That in the First Place Because It’s Not Yours” at all.  For my own personal sanity, I had to remove the living room rug.  Not only was it a potty magnet, but its chunky texture made for a good chew toy.  A week after surrendering my rug, I broke down and spent the $30 on baby gates.  It’s much easier to supervise when you aren’t chasing your puppy down the hallway.

I may have lost the battle, but I won the war.  I am proud to say that my dog learned “Leave It” very quickly during those first few weeks. However, it was a heck of a lot more work due to my stubborn refusal of all puppy-proofing advice.

TIP: Throw vanity out the window and buy yourself some baby gates.  Yes they are ugly, but they will preserve your sanity, as well as your carpets.