Protecting Your New Dog From Dangers in the Backyard

If you have a fenced yard, check the fence for any possible routes of escape.  A puppy can squeeze through holes as small as three inches and a large dog can jump over shorter fences.  If you have a dog that is or will become a medium to large dog you will need to make sure the fence is at least five feet tall.  You also may need to put concrete or bricks or chicken wire along the base of the fence to keep your dog from tunneling under the fence.

Store hoses, sprinklers, gardening tools, charcoal, lighter fluid, paint cans or chemicals out of reach.  Clean up any dangerous waste materials such as rusty nails, broken glass, jagged metal, etc.

Remove or fence off any toxic plants or plants of special value to you.  Fence off the garden area to avoid having your puppy make it a potty area or trample down your young plants.  You also want to avoid his digging up your garden and to protect your puppy from vegetable plants that can be toxic such as tomato vines.

You can go to the time and expense of putting up an expensive vinyl, iron or wood fence or you can opt for the quick and less expensive wire fencing choices.

Remove any poisons, such as rodent, slug, insect or other pest poisons.  Keep your dog away from lawns that have been treated with fertilizers or weed killers for at least a few days after the treatment.

Take one last walk around the yard with an eye towards what your puppy or older dog might find interesting to chew on, urinate on or bury, then keep a close eye out the first few days for anything you might have missed.

Typically it is best to keep your dog out of the garage or shed, but if your dog has access to them you will need to take special precautions.  Make sure any chemicals or other toxins are stored well out of reach.  Keep tools and equipment put away and the floor clean and free of debris, spills or chemicals that may come from car leaks such as antifreeze.  Also be sure to remove any poisons or traps.

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