• Electrical Cords and wires are quite appealing to young puppies who explore their environment by "mouthing" things. Chewing on electrical cords can lead to mild to third degree burns or electrocution. Any cords that are hanging above the ground should be secured out of your puppy's reach and any cords that run along the floor should be covered or pinned to the baseboards. Be sure to also cover any exposed electrical outlets.
• Toxic substances such as household cleaners should be placed safely out of a puppy's reach on a high shelf or in a cupboard with a childproof lock. Some common toxic substances found around the house include: anti-freeze, bleach, ammonia, rubbing alcohol, rat poison, insecticides, Tylenol, ibuprofen, chocolate, mothballs, fertilizers, laundry detergents, disinfectants, and furniture polish. Your veterinarian should be able to provide you with a complete list of household hazards to your puppy.
• Mini blind cords are also hazardous to curious young puppies. If your puppy should accidentally become tangled in the cord, it could strangle itself. To prevent such accidents, keep the cords wound up so that they are out of the puppy's reach. Most major home improvement stores offer items which will help keep the cords where the puppy cannot reach them, and they are fairly inexpensive.
• Some common house plants are also toxic to pets. These include poinsettias, lilies, philodendrons, mistletoe, and cacti. Again, ask your veterinarian for a complete list of dangerous house plants. If you are still in doubt about the safety of a certain plant, it is best to be cautious and keep it out of your puppy's reach.
• Small items that could easily be chewed or swallowed should also be kept in a place that your puppy will not have access to. These include small children's toys, plastic bottle caps, pieces of clothing, etc. If your puppy should ingest one of these items, he or she might not be able to pass it, and it could become lodged in the puppy's digestive tract and cause an obstruction, which could be fatal if left untreated.
• Garbage cans are also appealing to young puppies (and some adult Rat Terriers as well) and are full of hazards. All trash receptacles should be kept out of the puppy's reach, emptied often, and the contents disposed of properly.
• Remember, anything of value to you should be kept in a place which the puppy will not have access to. If you cannot afford to replace something if your puppy destroys it, don't take any chances. Trust me, we've lost more than a few pieces of furniture and precious heirlooms to curious rat terrier puppies. If the object is too large to move, you can apply a good chew repellant like Bitter Apple spray to the item. Be warned, though, that some rat terriers can tolerate such repellants.
• Breakable or fragile items should also be kept out of your puppy's reach. Puppies can (and do) chew these things, which may be dangerous especially if they are made of glass or porcelain or are painted or coated with toxic substances. Also, puppies (and adult Rat Terriers) can climb or jump onto tables and counters easily and may accidentally knock things off.
• Counter and table tops should be cleared of dangerous items such as knives, harmful cleaners, dangerous foods, breakable items, etc. As was previously stated, Rat Terriers are quite agile and some are able to leap onto counters and tables with ease. Until they can be trusted not to jump onto tables and counters (this may require some training), caution should be exercised and potentially harmful items should be removed.

• Many common outdoor plants may also be toxic to pets. These include rhododendrons, azaleas, daffodils, honeysuckle, morning glories, and wild mushrooms. Your veterinarian should be able to provide you with a complete list of dangerous plants. Be aware also that many insecticides and fertilizers applied to your yard and plants may also be harmful to your puppy.
• Swimming pools and hot tubs should be covered or securely fenced. Rat terrier puppies, like most young puppies, are very curious and do not realize the dangers of playing in or near the water. To help prevent accidents such as these, teach your puppy how to get out of the pool or hot tub safely in case he or she should ever fall in. Also, you should restrict access to any other bodies of water in or near your yard (i.e. lakes, fishing ponds, decorative ponds, etc.).
• Exits from your home should be kept securely closed and children especially should be taught to be careful not to leave doors open or to let the puppy out without permission. Obedience training is a must to teach the puppy to "wait" before you open the door.
• If you have a fenced yard, check the fence for gaps, holes, loose or broken boards, and make sure that all gates are securely latched. Even small gaps under fences or between boards can become escape routes for a curious puppy. Rat terriers are also quite capable of climbing or digging under fences.
• Supervision when outdoors is essential to the well-being of your puppy. No matter how well you puppy-proof your yard, there still may be some dangers that were overlooked.

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