Creating a safe and loving home for your dog is a natural part of caring for him. Ordinary household items can be deadly if your dog gets his paws or his mouth on them. He doesn't know that chewing and swallowing the wrong thing can cause an electrical shock or a life-threatening intestinal blockage. It's your responsibility to dog-proof your house to avoid potentially harmful accidents.

If you have a puppy, limit the area he has access to. It will be easier to keep an eye on him and prevent him from getting into trouble and finding dangerous things to chew. If you have an adult dog, use baby gates or keep him out of rooms that are strewn with small objects that he can swallow. The best way to dog-proof the house is to go through every room and to get down on all fours and check around. You'll be able to see what things look like at your dog's level on the floor or carpet.

The following list contains objects that often send dogs to emergency clinics. Check for these items in your home and be sure to take precautions to keep your dog from harm:

Electrical cords

Small metal, wood, or plastic objects, such as screws, pins, needles, wire, pens, pencils, markers, jewelry, buttons, and children's toys

Socks, shoes, underwear, pantyhose, clothing, baby bottles, and pacifiers

Pedestal lamps and wobbly furniture

Poisonous houseplants and wall air fresheners

Toilet bowl and household cleaners

Trashcans without lids

Unused electrical outlets

Outdoor Hazards

Don't forget to check your garage and yard for any dangerous objects lying around. Check for and pick up or put away the following:

Antifreeze and oil containers

Blue-green pond algae

Broken glass and sharp objects

Cocoa mulch

Compost piles

Exposed wiring

Pool and garden chemicals and supplies

Rinds and seeds from falling fruits

Slug and snail baits

Small nails and screws

Your dog's safety also depends on having a safe place to exercise in. It's the one place where he can run around freely off-leash and be able to potty. If you have landscaping that you take special pride in, make sure the area is off limits to him. Make sure that your yard is fully fenced and that your gates are closed securely. Check the bottom of the fence and the gate for any holes or gaps that he may be able to slip through. Make sure the fence is tall enough that he can't jump over it.

Emotional Needs

Providing a safe and nurturing environment for your dog is vital to his health. When dogs lived in the wild, they remained with their pack and relied on the group for food and shelter. Today dogs are companion animals and they rely on their modern packs — their families — to give them the basics. This is the reason your dog has a strong need to interact with you. You are his pack. He's happiest when you give him attention and he's able to follow you around the house.

Being left alone all day or abandoned in the yard for long periods is the worst thing for a dog, both emotionally and physically. When dogs are denied social interaction and physical exercise, they will develop behavioral problems such as digging, barking, aggression, or destructive chewing. Make sure your dog gets plenty of the right attention at home.

Reducing Stress

You're probably aware of the negative effect stress has on your own body. Compared to your responsibility-laden life, you might figure your dog must be totally relaxed. But as odd as it sounds, stress is a problem for dogs too.

Dogs feel stress over different things. Your dog may not know your schedule and may worry every time you leave the house. Try to maintain a regular schedule and take her for a walk before and/or after you get home to help both of you relax.

Take a few minutes when you get home to give her your total attention. Playing a few rounds of catch or grooming her for just a few minutes reassures her that she matters to you. If you're pressed for time and have to go on errands, take her along. She'll appreciate the opportunity to check out new surroundings and have a breath of fresh air.