How to keep your bulldog safe and sound
Make sure you only give your dog appropriate treats and toys. Rawhide chews are especially bad because they can splinter and cause choking or stomach problems. Remember that your pup can’t tell the difference between the old shoe you gave him to chew on and your eight hundred dollar Prada sandals! Socks are bad too. Puppies who swallow socks can experience extreme abdominal pain! Ask your vet for a list of appropriate toys and store them where your pup can play with them. As a general rule, it’s best to buy toys at the pet store rather than make your own.
Ask your vet for a list of plants that are toxic to pets. Some common houseplants can be deadly to your dog. Some of them are: rhododendrons, Japanese yews and lily of the valley. Keep in mind, too, that fruit pits can also be toxic, especially cherry and peach pits. It is not good for your plants or your pets if your animals chew on your vegetation. Keep all plants out of reach of your new puppy. See a compiled list of poisonous plants in the safety resources section of the Bulldog Smarts website.
Make sure butts, stairs, and swimming pools are out of your pup’s reach. Cigarette butts can be deadly to dogs. If you smoke, be sure to empty your ashtrays as often as possible and keep them out of your pup’s reach. If you smoke in your puppy’s exercise area, be sure to keep your butts up. Make sure basement doors and upstairs windows are closed. Puppies are just as likely to fall as toddlers. You can use child gates to prevent falls on stairs and even to protect windows. Swimming pools are especially dangerous for young puppies. They do not have the stamina or education to swim for long and can easily drown. If you have a pool, close it or never let your pup out of your sight when he’s around.
Your puppy should wear an appropriate collar under supervision. Necklaces can be very dangerous. While collars have the benefit of allowing your dog to wear tags, they can easily snag on just about anything. The best solution to this problem is twofold. Be sure to supervise your dog every time he wears his collar. If you need to leave your dog unattended (especially when he’s a puppy), remove his collar or make sure there’s no way he can get caught on anything in his play area. If you leave your dog without the collar most of the time, it’s not a bad idea to consider microchipping. For a minimal fee, you can implant a chip in your dog’s neck that contains all the vital information about your animal. Doesn’t seem to hurt dogs and is helpful. All Humane Societies in the United States and most veterinarians have scanners that can read the chip.
A pet locator sticker on your window could save your dog’s life. In case of a fire when you’re not home, put a pet locator sticker on your window. These stickers are available at most fire departments and let firefighters know that your pet may be in your home. At the end of this book, I compiled a list of first aid and emergency care resources.
Constantly keeping an eye on your pup is the best secret to puppy-proofing your home. There is no way to make a complete list of everything an animal can get into without supervision! Use common sense and put away any items you are unsure about. “If you don’t know, beware.”
The more time you spend with your puppy, the safer he will be. Spending time with your puppy allows you to bond with him during his formative months. Getting to know your puppy is a great way to help keep him healthy and the best way to keep him happy.