Blog

Subscribe and receive email notifications of new blog posts.




rss logo RSS Feed
Buy a Home | 16 Posts
Homeownership | 12 Posts
Sell a Home | 10 Posts
St. Charles, MO | 1 Posts
St. Louis, MO | 39 Posts
Uncategorized | 4 Posts
Saint Louis MO Area Information Moving to St. Louis Things to Do RedKey Realty Leaders Brentwood MO Ballwin MO Bridgeton MO Chesterfield MO Clarkson Valley MO Clayton MO Cottleville MO Crestwood MO Creve Coeur MO Dardenne Prairie MO Ellisville MO Fenton MO Frontenac MO Glendale MO Huntleigh MO Innsbrook MO Kirkwood MO Lake Saint Louis MO Manchester MO Maplewood MO Maryland Heights MO O Fallon MO Richmond Heights MO Saint Charles MO Saint Peters MO University City MO Webster Groves MO Weldon Spring MO Wentzville MO Wildwood MO Affton MO Augusta MO Barnhart MO Bel Ridge MO Bel-Nor MO Byrnes Mill MO Catawissa MO Cedar Hill MO Country Life Acres MO Crystal City MO Eureka MO Defiance MO Des Peres MO Ferguson MO Festus MO Flint Hill MO Hillsboro MO Florissant MO Foristell MO Glen Echo Park MO Glencoe MO Grover MO Hazelwood MO Hermann MO High Ridge MO House Springs MO Kimmswick MO Imperial MO Ladue MO Lemay MO Mehlville MO Moscow Mills MO New Melle MO Normandy MO Oakville MO Olivette MO Overland MO Pacific MO Rock Hill MO Shrewsbury MO Saint Albans MO Saint Ann MO Saint John MO Saint Paul MO Sunset Hills MO Troy MO Twin Oaks MO Union MO Valley Park MO Warrenton MO Warson Woods MO Washington MO Winchester MO Woodson Terrace MO Wright City MO Lake St. Louis MO For Buyers Home-Buying Tips Mortgage First-Time Buyers For Sellers Home-Selling Tips Local Businesses Restaurants Bars Dining Food & Drink Financing Outdoors Parks Holidays Local Attractions Historic Sites Museums Town and Country MO For Owners Home Maintenance Homeowner Tips Moving Relocating Shop Local Shopping Home Improvement Community Remodeling Staging Arts & Culture
March
18

Creating a Puppy-Friendly Environment | RedKey Realty Leaders

March 23rd is National Puppy Day, and if you're contemplating adding a puppy to your household, preparing for their arrival is important. This will keep your puppy and belongings safe while ensuring the transition is as smooth as possible for your whole family. Follow this guide to create a puppy-safe home for your new pet.

  • Invest in Locking Trashcans
    Puppies and uncovered or unlocked trashcans don't mix. While your puppy can learn to leave your trash alone with training, minimizing their ability to go nosing through your trash for a quick snack is best. Swap your kitchen and bathroom trashcans for locking versions to keep trash where it belongs.

  • Consider Utilizing a Crate
    A crate can be a valuable tool for housebreaking a puppy and providing them with a safe spot to nap or retreat from household chaos. Using a crate will reduce the amount of accidents your puppy has inside the house, as dogs don't like to use the bathroom where they sleep. 

    If you decide to use a crate, outfit it with cozy, washable bedding and select an appropriate size for your puppy. Avoid using crates that are too large, as they can encourage your pup to use the crate as a restroom. 

    Should your plans involve listing your home with other St. Louis homes for sale, using a crate ensures you have a comfortable, familiar spot to contain and transport your pup during showings and open houses.

  • Set Up a Baby Gate or Enclosure
    During times when you can't focus all your attention on your puppy but still want to allow them to play and explore, set up a baby gate or enclosure to keep them confined to a specific room that's been thoroughly puppy-proofed (and ideally has easy-to-clean flooring). 

  • Secure Any Object You Don't Want Your Puppy to Get a Hold of
    This is an excellent time to go through your home and see that every item has a designated location, preferably secured with a lid or door.

    Puppies love to chew shoes, children's toys, books, bottles, and cords. Some will even go after clothes, documents, decorative figures, pillows, and blankets. Medications, sugarless gums and candies, and some houseplants can even be dangerous to your puppy. All these items should go in a bin with a lid, cabinet, drawer, or closet. 

    Avoid simply placing forbidden items on a high shelf or counter. Some puppies are surprisingly sneaky and will learn how to access areas they shouldn't; this is especially true for large-breed dogs who learn there's a whole other world to explore when they stand on their hind legs. 

  • Don't Forget to Puppy-Proof Your Yard
    Check that any plants or vegetation in your yard are safe for your puppy to be around. Put a fence around any pools, ponds, or water features. Remove any tools, toys, or chemicals that your puppy might get hold of. 

    Keep your lawn mowed and your shrubs and trees trimmed to reduce the number of ticks and fleas in your yard. When your puppy uses the restroom, clean up their mess as soon as possible to deter flies from your property. 

With a little time and preparation, you can transform your home into an environment perfect for welcoming a new puppy into your family. Interested in purchasing a home with more space for your pets? Get in touch to get started. 

Login to My Homefinder

Pixel