Dog-proofing your home:
the room-by-room checklist.

Store chocolate, xylitol, onions, garlic, and grapes out of reach

These are common human foods that are widely known to be harmful to dogs. Keep them off counters a dog could reach and out of low cupboards, and ask your vet what to do if you suspect your dog ate any of them.

Secure the trash can with a locking lid or store it in a cupboard

Food wrappers, bones, and spoiled scraps in an open bin are one of the most common sources of a dog getting into something it shouldn't.

Keep the counter clear of anything a dog could pull down

A curious dog, especially a puppy, can pull a tablecloth, cutting board, or hot pan off the edge trying to reach food.

Store cleaning products in a latched cabinet, not under the sink unlatched

A basic childproof latch on the cabinet under the sink keeps dish soap, dishwasher pods, and cleaning sprays out of a dog's reach.

Route or cover electrical cords

Chewed cords are a shock and fire hazard. Use cord covers, tuck cords behind furniture, or unplug and coil anything within reach when you are not in the room, especially with a teething puppy.

Move toxic houseplants out of reach or off the floor

A number of common houseplants are toxic to dogs if chewed. Rather than trying to memorize every plant, check any specific plant you own against a vet-provided pet-toxic-plant list and remove or relocate anything you cannot confirm is safe.

Pick up small objects a dog could swallow

Coins, batteries, hair ties, remote control buttons, and children's toys are common choking and blockage hazards. A quick floor-level sweep of any room the dog has access to catches most of these.

Secure bookshelves and other tall, unsteady furniture

A dog jumping up or pawing at a low shelf can tip furniture that is not anchored to the wall, which is a risk for puppies and larger dogs alike.

Keep the toilet lid down

Beyond the obvious, toilet bowl cleaner tablets and standing water are not something you want a dog drinking regularly.

Store medications, supplements, and toiletries in a closed cabinet

Pill bottles are easy for a dog to chew open, and many human medications are dangerous even in small doses. Keep them on a high shelf or behind a latched door, never on a counter or nightstand.

Keep the laundry room door closed or gated

Laundry pods, dryer sheets, and bleach are common laundry-room hazards, and a dog can also climb into an open dryer or washer looking for a warm nap spot.

Store antifreeze, fertilizer, and pesticides on a high, secured shelf

Garage and yard chemicals are among the most serious poisoning risks for dogs, and some have a sweet taste that can attract them. Keep containers sealed and elevated, never on the garage floor.

Check the yard fence and gate for gaps a dog could squeeze through or dig under

Walk the perimeter at the dog's eye level, not yours, to catch gaps that are easy to miss standing up.

Remove or fence off anything sharp, rusty, or unstable outdoors

Old tools, exposed nails, and loose stacked materials are easy to overlook until a dog is running through the yard off-leash.

Use baby gates to limit access while you dog-proof gradually

Rather than trying to secure the entire house at once, gate off unproofed rooms and expand the dog's access as each area gets checked.

Do a final walkthrough at floor level before giving a new room full access

Get down low and look at the room the way a dog would — under furniture, behind curtains, and along baseboards is where most missed hazards turn up.

Repeat the walkthrough as the dog grows or changes habits

A young puppy that could not reach a counter will be able to a few months later, and a dog that starts counter-surfing or chewing furniture may need a fresh pass through the house.