Lifestyle lifestyle search 
Animals can leave you constantly surprised with their abilities to get tangled up in situations you thought weren't possible, unless your home is pet proofed.
Somehow, a cat will always find her way to a ball of yarn, and a dog will end up on the mountain of down feathers that used to be your pillow. If either one of these scenarios sound familiar, it's time to pet proof your home. But that doesn't mean prospective pet owners have to change their décor. "People don't get a pet and then decorate their house to suit the needs of that pet," says Talin Frankian, dog category manager for Yorkdale's PJ's Pet Centre. "The key is to pick a pet that is suitable to your lifestyle, not choose a lifestyle that will be suitable for your pet." Frankian says the size of your home, whether you have children, and how much time you have to spend with the pet are things to take into consideration when deciding what kind of animal to get. Those things can determine what size puppy you get, or whether you go with a bird or cat instead. She also says one of the first things to do before taking a new kitten or puppy home is to ensure the animal won't get into mischief by getting stuck in a cupboard or behind the washing machine. Putting up barriers, such as baby gates, is another way to keep pets out of off-limit areas. "Consider where you're going to keep the pet," says Frankian. "If you're getting a puppy, we suggest crate training because it's the safest place for the puppy to be when you're not at home. It's also much easier to housebreak a puppy with the crate." Keeping pets from scratching furniture or from chewing on slippers is a challenge, but supplying the animal with its own toys will help keep them away from things that aren't theirs. Frankian recommends using spray repellents that taste bad, smell bad and repel the animal from a restricted area. Frankian says using ultrasonic wave collars to housebreak a pet is another option if used properly. The Toronto Humane Society's communication officer Courtney Barnfield says shock collars are not the way to go. "The society is definitely against any kind of shock collar for dogs, cats or any animal as they are inhumane and painful," says Barnfield. "As far as bitter apple (repellent) spray … I cannot comment on its effectiveness or its impact on the animal or the environment. My advice is that people consult their veterinarians or an animal behaviourist." People should research their pet issues, says Barnfield, in the same careful manner they would look into a problem with one of their children, including checking facts with a professional such as a veterinarian.
Sandy Garcia/Metro Toronto News
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