Beagles For Dummies
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Get your home ready for your new beagle by beagle-proofing it. Preparing a home for a new Beagle requires just as much diligence as it does to child-proof a house for human kids. By dog-proofing your home and yard, you keep your pet safe and healthy.

Beagle-proofing your yard

Those boundaries start with the outdoors: specifically, with enclosing part or all of your yard. Beagles are master escape artists, so you really need to do your due diligence to make sure your yard is virtually escape-proof.

No matter how much your little hound loves you, he'll love the great outdoors more. If he gets the chance to explore the world beyond his backyard without being tethered to you, he will jump at it — and the results could be tragic.

Don't leave your Beagle unattended outside, even if he is confined to the yard unless you have removed every possible hazard. Hazards range from dangerous plants to kids' toys to uncovered swimming pools. When your Beagle's outside, be there with him — or at least be watching him from a window.

Beagle-proofing your house

Inside the house, your main task is to make sure that your Beagle can't come into contact with anything that could get him into trouble or, worse, jeopardize his safety. Here are some tips to help you protect your pup:

  • Beagle's eye view. Assess each room from his perspective. Sometimes the only effective way to do this is by physically crawling around. Look for anything that might attract his attention or land him in trouble.

  • Stash your stuff. Beagles like to chew—shoes, socks, underwear, kids' toys, books, and magazines are just the start. Keep your Beagle from shredding your stuff by putting it out of view and out of reach. Cut off access to anything you don't want your little hound to destroy.

  • Batten down the wires. Dangling electrical cords could entice a curious Beagle who wants to paw or chew on them. Fasten them to the floor and/or wall.

  • Block off staircases. A tumble down stairs can break a Beagle's leg or other bones. Until your Beagle gets used to your home and is good and navigating the stairs, use baby gates to block off the stairs.

  • Secure the cabinets. Install door guards (the kind you use when child-proofing) to keep your Beagle out of cabinets that contain household cleansers or other substances that may be dangerous to him.

  • Toilet lids down! A Beagle puppy who finds his way into an open toilet could drown — and no Beagle benefits from drinking water out of the toilet. Bottom line: Keep the seat down at all times.

  • No trashing. Dogs love to dive into wastebaskets to ferret out undesirable goodies. Make sure your Beagle can't find any. Empty your wastebaskets often, and/or limit his access to them by closing doors, using lids, or moving the baskets off the floor.

About This Article

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Susan McCullough is the author of the bestselling Housetraining For Dummies and the award-winning Senior Dogs For Dummies.

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