Puppy Proofing - slippery floors, stairs & more - put a stop to skids and tumbles !
You’ve puppy-proofed your home by covering electrical cords, putting away items your pup could swallow and removing toxic plants from the yard. You’re set for safe puppyhood, right? Not so, according to Dr. Marty Becker, there are other risks to consider. "Your puppy may be at risk in other ways, including sliding on slick floors, running into walls, falling down stairs and jumping off furniture. His musculoskeletal system is still developing, and there can be a fine line between ensuring that he grows strong bones and muscles, and avoiding broken bones and orthopedic problems. Here are some tips for encouraging your puppy to play, explore and learn — without getting hurt."
Play ball or other chase or fetch games outdoors on grass instead of indoor on slick floors.
Puppies scramble through the house like they are on the track at the Puptona 500, sliding across slick floors and careening into walls. It looks like fun, but it is not great for their joints. Until his ligaments mature, slow you pup down a bit and give her some traction and a softer landing with nonskid throw rugs or rubber-backed mats over the wood, tile or other slippery flooring, especially in high-traffic areas and entryways.
Keep Puppy Feet on the Floor
Puppies seem to think they have wings, as they fearlessly leap off chairs, sofas and beds. But splatting onto the floor, especially if there’s no carpet or nonskid rug to cushion their landings, is the fast lane to knee injuries, broken bones or slipped discs. Encourage safe access off furniture or out of vehicles with pet steps or ramps. You could also provide an ottoman or footstool as a sort of stepping stone from the bed or sofa to the floor. Place a throw rug in front of furniture to help ensure a safe landing. Teach pups to wait to be lifted off beds or out of cars. I guarantee you, it’s a lesson they’ll remember and benefit from throughout their lives.
When your puppy isn't jumping off things, he may be climbing up on them. Dogs are ingenious when it comes to getting at food or garbage, for instance. The tall ones will simply stand on their hind legs and counter surf, but I’ve known plenty of shorter dogs who have made use of chairs or other objects to access a resting roast. Countering counter surfing is primarily a matter of placing items out of reach. If you think your dog can’t get to something, be smart and place it farther back or higher up — just to make sure. Push chairs under tables and away from counters to reduce the risk that your dog will get the bright idea to climb on them to get where he wants to go.
Best of all, teach “ leave it” or “off” commands from an early age. Some dogs are intransigent, but others really will learn to obey you — even when food is in play."
for the complete article by Dr. Marty Becker, follow this link
and more information about Puppy Proofing check our the Vet Street's article here
Play ball or other chase or fetch games outdoors on grass instead of indoor on slick floors.
Puppies scramble through the house like they are on the track at the Puptona 500, sliding across slick floors and careening into walls. It looks like fun, but it is not great for their joints. Until his ligaments mature, slow you pup down a bit and give her some traction and a softer landing with nonskid throw rugs or rubber-backed mats over the wood, tile or other slippery flooring, especially in high-traffic areas and entryways.
Keep Puppy Feet on the Floor
Puppies seem to think they have wings, as they fearlessly leap off chairs, sofas and beds. But splatting onto the floor, especially if there’s no carpet or nonskid rug to cushion their landings, is the fast lane to knee injuries, broken bones or slipped discs. Encourage safe access off furniture or out of vehicles with pet steps or ramps. You could also provide an ottoman or footstool as a sort of stepping stone from the bed or sofa to the floor. Place a throw rug in front of furniture to help ensure a safe landing. Teach pups to wait to be lifted off beds or out of cars. I guarantee you, it’s a lesson they’ll remember and benefit from throughout their lives.
When your puppy isn't jumping off things, he may be climbing up on them. Dogs are ingenious when it comes to getting at food or garbage, for instance. The tall ones will simply stand on their hind legs and counter surf, but I’ve known plenty of shorter dogs who have made use of chairs or other objects to access a resting roast. Countering counter surfing is primarily a matter of placing items out of reach. If you think your dog can’t get to something, be smart and place it farther back or higher up — just to make sure. Push chairs under tables and away from counters to reduce the risk that your dog will get the bright idea to climb on them to get where he wants to go.
Best of all, teach “ leave it” or “off” commands from an early age. Some dogs are intransigent, but others really will learn to obey you — even when food is in play."
for the complete article by Dr. Marty Becker, follow this link
and more information about Puppy Proofing check our the Vet Street's article here
