How do I puppy proof a garden before letting my puppy explore?

A gap of just a few centimeters is enough for a small breed puppy to squeeze through, so a slow walk around the entire perimeter, checking gate latches and any loose panels, is worth doing before the first unsupervised time outside.

Slug pellets, weed killer and fertilizer are common garden hazards, along with plants like foxglove, oleander and certain bulbs. Storing chemicals in a locked shed and checking planted areas against a toxic plant list covers most of the risk.

Compost heaps and bins can harbor mold that is genuinely toxic if a puppy manages to eat from them, so a secure lid or fenced off compost area matters as much as any single plant on a hazard list. Ponds, water features, and even a half filled water butt are worth fencing or covering, since a very young puppy can struggle to climb back out of even shallow standing water.

Check any recently treated decking, patio, or lawn for how long chemical products need to be left before it is safe for pets to walk on, which is often printed on the packaging and can range from a few hours to a couple of days depending on the product.

Once the space is checked over, spend the first few garden sessions on lead rather than fully free, watching specifically where your puppy's nose leads it, since that tells you which parts of the space draw the most curiosity and deserve a closer follow up check.