How To Dog-Proof Your Home: Room-By-Room Tips To Keep Your Pup Safe

Diamond's Friends Pet Rescue
Jun 16, 2025
11 min read

Dog-proofing is one of the most important things you can do when bringing home a new dog. It’s like baby-proofing, except your “baby” has sharper teeth, stronger jaws, jumping capabilities, and a nose that can sniff out trouble.

There are numerous hazards in your home that can poison or injure your dog. Fortunately, with a little preparation, you can make your space safe and welcoming for your new best friend.

Let’s break it down room by room.

A Quick Explanation of “Out Of Reach”

You’ll see us mention keeping things “out of reach” throughout this article. While you may think this means removing dangerous items that are at your dog’s nose level or below, that’s actually not what we mean.

To better understand what “out of reach” means, it’s best to understand what “in reach” means. If something is in your dog’s reach, it means your dog can get to the item when they are:

Able to jump onto a surface
In a standing position
Laying down/army crawling
Sitting
Standing on their back paws

An example would be a 10-pound Maltese who might be able to jump on a coffee table to access your bottle of prescription medication but unable to access that medication if you put it on a kitchen counter.

On the other hand, if that same bottle of medication was left near the edge of your kitchen counter, a 60-pound Labrador could likely stand on their back paws or even jump onto the counter to get it.

Now, let’s say that same bottle of medication ends up rolling under the middle of your bed. The 10-pound Maltese could probably army crawl under the bed to get it, but the 60-pound Labrador might not be able to.

So, when we say “out of reach,” we mean your dog is unable to use their physical capabilities to get to something.

House-Wide Dog Proofing

Before you focus on specific rooms, there are a few things you should do throughout your house:

Be aware of plants: Many plants are toxic to dogs. Take a look at the plants you have throughout your home and outdoor spaces to figure out if they are pet-safe. If they aren’t, get rid of them or put them where your dog cannot access them.
Pick up small objects: Things like batteries, coins, small toys, crayons, and more are choking hazards. Pick them up and get them out of harm’s way.
Secure ALL trash cans: Dogs are natural scavengers. Invest in secure, lidded trash cans or hide bins in cabinets to avoid messes and ingestion of toxic items. Consider using extra latches to make sure dogs cannot open a cabinet to access trash cans.
Secure furniture: If you have any tall furniture in your rooms (like cabinets, dressers, or bookcases) that aren’t already secured to your walls, now is the time to make sure they are properly secured.
Tie up window treatments: Drapes can be an alluring chew toy, and we’ve had a dog returned to us after she pulled her adopter’s drapes off the wall. Secure or remove drapes until your dog can be trusted. Also, make sure any cords for drapes or blinds are high off the ground so that your dog can’t get tangled in them and strangle themselves.
Tuck away cords and chargers: Chewing electrical wires can lead to shocks or burns. Make sure these are hidden behind furniture or use a cord cover.
Use baby gates: Block off areas where you don’t want your dog wandering.
Watch out for banisters and railings: If you have stairs, consider putting baby gates at the top and bottom, especially if your banister has spaces large enough for a dog to fall through. Plus, if there are railings around the top of the stairs, watch out for any unsafe spacing in the railings that a dog could fall through. Adding some plexiglass or hardware cloth can prevent a small pup from falling through the spacing.

Once you’ve done this broad sweep, you can start taking the dog-proofing process room by room.

Learn More: Plants That Are Toxic to Dogs

Living Room

This is often where your dog will spend the most time. Make it safe and comfy by:

Investing in dog-safe furniture covers: If your dog is allowed on couches but you are using covers to keep them clean, make sure whatever covers you invest in are non-toxic and safe for dogs.
Putting breakables and knick-knacks out of reach: Any items on a coffee table or low shelves can be tempting for dogs to play with and chew on. Or, if you have a large, excitable dog, they may inadvertently bump into a side table and knock over your grandmother’s expensive vase. Make sure these items are WAY out of reach.
Using fireplace screens: If you have a fireplace in your living room, make sure it has some sort of screen on it so that your dog can’t eat anything in it or get burned.

Bonus tip: Take the time to look around the room and see if there’s anything else that might be a danger to your dog. If you see something or question if something is safe, remove or secure it. This applies to ALL rooms in your home!

Your Bedroom

Your bedroom can be a cozy den for your dog. However, it still needs a few adjustments, including:

Closing closet doors: If you want to avoid shredded shoes or hidden accidents, keep your closet doors closed.
Keeping laundry off the floor: Socks and underwear are prime chewing targets and swallowing hazards. Keep your laundry in a hamper or basket in your closet.
Not leaving jewelry, pills, or makeup on nightstands: It may be a habit of yours to leave these items on your nightstand at the end of the day, but a dog can mistake these for treats or chew toys. Make sure they are always properly stored.

Bonus tip: If you have a dog who is small enough to army crawl under your bed, be sure to use containers for under-the-bed storage or remove any items they could chew or ingest from under your bed.

Bathroom

The bathrooms in your home are surprisingly dangerous for dogs. Dog-proof this area by:

Keeping shower doors or curtains closed: To keep your new dog from accidentally getting stuck in the shower, keep the doors or curtains closed. Also, hang curtains on the inside of the shower to minimize the odds of your dog pulling them down.
Keeping the toilet lid down: Some dogs love drinking from toilets, which is unsanitary. Also, for small dogs, toilets can pose a drowning risk.
Locking up meds: Human medications are usually poisonous for dogs. Keep them stored where your pup can’t get them.
Removing toys from the tub: If any of your bathrooms have tubs, remove toys from the tub and store them safely after bath time so that your dog doesn’t chew them up.
Storing razors, soaps, and cleaning products in cabinets: These items can also be dangerous for dogs whether they chew on or ingest them. Keep them up high or in cabinets with child locks.

Bonus tip: Try to use pet-safe cleaning supplies for your bathroom to minimize your dog’s exposure to toxic chemicals.

Kitchen

The kitchen is a hot spot for food-driven mischief. Spend some time in this room making sure your dog can’t get into trouble. It may sound like a hassle, but make sure to:

Be aware of toxic foods: Some foods can kill your dog. These include chocolate, grapes, onions, and xylitol (a sugar substitute in some peanut butters and gum). Make sure you know what is safe for your dog to eat (and what's not).
Never leave food unattended on counters: This is how counter-surfing starts, and it’s not fun to deal with a dog that jumps onto your counters. Put all food in the cabinets or your pantry.
Seal off gaps: If there are any gaps between your appliances and walls, seal them off so a dog can’t accidentally get stuck.
Use a trash can with a secure lid or hide it in a cabinet: Even if the trash can has a secure lid, it’s best to put it in a cabinet that has a safety lock of some sort on it. From experience, we can tell you emergency trips to the vet for trash digging are NOT fun.
Use cabinet and drawer locks: Dogs are resourceful, and they may figure out how to pop open lower cabinets or open drawers. Use locks to keep your dog out of cleaning supplies and food.

Bonus tip: Make it a point to keep your kitchen a pup-free zone when you cook. This way, your dog won’t accidentally eat something dangerous that you unintentionally drop on the floor. Plus, you won’t have to worry about fur getting into your food.

Learn More: Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs

Dining Room

Dining rooms may seem harmless, but they pose some risks. Consider doing the following:

Avoid using tablecloths: Dogs may try to chew on tablecloths, and they can definitely pull them down (along with everything on top). Best to just skip these.
Be careful with expensive dishes: If you have an expensive set of dishes you like to keep on display, make sure they are out of reach of your dog or in a very secure cabinet that is bolted to the wall.
Remove breakable items from the table: If you have a dog who is physically capable of jumping on your dining table, be sure to put anything breakable that’s on your table away.

Bonus tip: If you ever put food out on the table and your dog is able to jump on the table, keep an eye on your dog or keep them out of the dining room. You should get to enjoy that delicious sandwich you just made, not your dog.

Kid’s Room and Playrooms

From toys to crayons to stuffed animals and more, your kids' rooms or the playroom in your home are basically a doggie playground. It's essential to:

Secure snack stashes: Dogs can smell granola bars a mile away. Make sure any snacks are safely stashed where your kids can access them but your dog can’t.
Teach kids to keep their stuff off the floor: This one is an added win for parents because it means a clean room once your kids are done with playtime.
Use bins with lids: Investing in bins that have lids and take a little bit of effort to open will protect both your child's stuff and your dog's stomach.

Bonus tip: Include your kids in the dog-proofing process. Ask them what they think a dog might be able to get into or eat in their room and playroom, and share with them things they missed. This can help them learn how to be responsible and keep their new dog safe.

Entryways, Mudrooms, and Laundry Rooms

These spaces often become storage zones, and that’s where trouble can start. Take the time to:

Close doors to washing machines and dryers: A curious puppy or dog may decide to explore, especially if interesting items are inside. This can spell disaster. Keep the doors to these machines closed.
Hang bags and coats high: These items may contain snacks, meds, or gum that can be toxic for dogs. Hanging them out of reach or in a closet that can close is ideal.
Keep laundry and laundry baskets off the floor: Dogs may chew or ingest items left within reach. Place hampers up high or use ones that have lids on top to keep dogs out.
Put away shoes: Shoes are chew toys in disguise. If you don’t want your dog to destroy your favorite pair of sneakers (or end up with a blockage requiring emergency surgery), keep shoes tucked away where your dog can’t get them.

Bonus tip: Consider installing a baby gate separating these areas from the rest of your house. That way, your dog can be safely behind the gate without you having to worry about them bolting out the front or back door as you try to get your kids and your groceries inside.

Balcony or Front Patio

If you have a balcony or front patio that your dog will be able to access, make sure to:

Close the spacing in fencing or rails: Most balconies or patios will have fencing or railing with spaces. Add hardware cloth to the fence or rail to close any gaps so your dog cannot escape or fall through spaces. Do this to any gates as well.
Put deterrents in front of low rails or fencing: If you have low railings or fencing, try to make it more difficult for your dog to get close enough to jump over it. The last thing you want is a dog escaping or launching themselves off your balcony.

Bonus tip: Dogs should always be on a leash that you are holding when they are on patios or balconies that have low railings, even if you’ve made sure to do your best to dog-proof. It’s just not worth the risk.

Front and Backyard

Even fenced yards need careful prep. Don’t forget to:

Check for gaps in fencing: This can be particularly important if you have a small dog or an escape artist. Be sure to check your fence regularly, too, as panels can rot or fall down in storms.
Fence the pool: If you have a pool, put a fence around it until you have a chance to teach your new dog how to swim and safely get out.
Move items away from fencing: If there’s a table, chairs, a trash can, or anything else next to your fence that your dog could jump on to get over the fence more easily, move those items away from the fence.
Pick up sticks and kids’ toys regularly: Swallowed foreign objects are a frequent cause of emergency vet visits. Plus, sticks can splinter, resulting in a trip to the vet for removal.
Protect your garden: If you don’t want your new dog getting into your garden, put barriers around any planters you’d like them to stay out of.
Put locks on your gates: To keep unwanted people out of your yard and prevent your dog from figuring out how to jump on the gate just right to get it to pop open, use locks on your gates.
Remove mushrooms: We’ve heard many horror stories of dogs eating a wild mushroom or toxic plant in their yard. Clear mushrooms as they pop up so that your dog doesn’t eat them and get sick (or worse).
Store lawn chemicals, fertilizers, tools, and hoses out of reach: These can be hazardous if chewed on or ingested, so it's best to keep them locked in a shed or move them to a cabinet in your garage.

Bonus tip: We recommend never leaving your dog unattended in your yard. There’s always a chance they’ll have a dangerous encounter with a wild animal or get scooped up by a dog thief (yes, that is a thing).

Learn More: How To Dog-Proof Your Fence

Garage

This one is often overlooked and filled with hazards. Make sure you:

Block off areas with exposed nails, insulation, or debris: You don’t want your dog accidentally stepping on a rusty nail or eating something they shouldn’t.
Keep antifreeze and motor oil locked away: Just a few drops of antifreeze can be fatal to a dog. Make sure these are 100% out of reach to your dog.
Store sharp tools and chemicals on high shelves or in cabinets: In fact, it’s probably safest to keep all chemicals locked away and use a toolbox for your tools.

Even if your dog doesn’t normally have access to the garage, it’s good to dog-proof it anyway. You never know when someone might accidentally leave the door ajar, allowing your pup to explore.

Home Office

Not everyone has a home office. But if you work from home and have a designated office space, here are some things you should do:

File important documents away: Some dogs love to shred paper. If you typically keep important documents on your desk, it might be time to invest in a filing cabinet so nothing critical ends up torn to pieces.
Safely store office supplies: Items like pens, paper clips, and rubber bands should be securely stored in a drawer.

Bonus tip: Consider having a crate in your office for your pup or keeping that space a dog-free zone so that your dog doesn't distract you while you are working.

Final Thoughts

Dog-proofing is a big job, but it’s a key part of being a responsible pet owner. Taking these steps helps prevent injuries, vet visits, and household damage. Plus, it gives your dog the freedom to explore safely, which builds confidence and trust in your new home.