September 16, 2021

How to Puppy-Proof Your Pet-Friendly Apartment

Bringing home a brand-new puppy can be just as stressful as it is exciting. How do you potty train your fluffy friend? Which toys are the best? How do you pick the right food? In addition to these questions, one thing you should think about is how to puppy-proof your living space.

Similar to baby-proofing, puppy-proofing involves preparing your space so it’s safe for your new puppy. Before you pick up your furry companion, follow these three tips to puppy-proof your pet-friendly apartment.

Designate a Space for Your Puppy

Set aside a safe space in your apartment for your new pet to enjoy. Whether that space is near your laundry room, at the foot of the bed, or in the corner of your living room, it should be a place for your dog to relax and sleep. If you plan to crate your dog when you are gone, this space would be the perfect place to keep it. Here are some other items to consider adding to the area to make it cozy and inviting:

  • A comfortable dog bed
  • A soft blanket
  • Dog toys for mental stimulation
  • Food and water 

Designating a safe place for your puppy will help it acclimate nicely to its new home. 

Remove or Hide Toxic Items

At Crestwood Apartment Homes , we love house plants. Not only do plants help clean the air, but they make lovely decorations! As pretty as house plants are to look at, though, some types of greenery are toxic to dogs , including tomato plants, aloe vera plants, and ivy. If you have any of these plants in your home, it’s best to remove or hide them where your new puppy can’t reach. 

Likewise, certain foods are toxic to dogs, and if eaten in bulk, can harm your furry friend. Items such as avocados, citrus, grapes, onions, garlic, and chocolate contain substances that aren’t good for your pup. We recommend cleaning up quickly after mealtimes, not leaving food in areas where your puppy can reach, and storing baking items such as chocolate in upper cabinets. Doing so can help protect the health and well-being of your cute pet! 

Use Child-Proof Locks

If this is your first experience as a dog owner, you’ll learn that dogs have a great sense of smell. In fact, it’s believed that their sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than a human’s. Considering this information, it’s no surprise when a puppy sniffs out food under the couch, treats on the table, and trash left outside. 

To fully puppy-proof your pet-friendly apartment, consider buying child-proof locks to put on your lower cabinets and drawers. Doing so will prevent your pup from getting into medication, skincare items, trash, and cleaning supplies, and it will help ease your nerves while you are away. 

Bringing a new puppy home can be exciting and stressful at the same time. To have a smooth transition, we recommend puppy-proofing your apartment to protect your new fluffy friend. Designate a safe area for your puppy, remove toxic items, and child-proof lower cabinets and drawers. Doing these tasks will help make pet ownership paws-itive and fun! And of course, if you’re looking for a pet-friendly apartment in Lake Forest, California, give us a call !

Improve Your VIP Experience: Flexible Ways to Pay Rent and Build Credit At Crestwood

April 15, 2026
At  Crestwood Apartment Homes  , we are committed to providing our VIPs with the best tools to manage their apartment homes effortlessly. We want to highlight the various ways you can handle your monthly rent, including some exciting benefits that help you build your financial future just by living with us. 1. The AppFolio Resident Portal App The easiest way to manage your living experience is through the AppFolio app. It is a one-stop shop for your most frequent needs: Convenient Payments: Set up one-time or automatic payments using a bank account (e-check), credit card, or debit card. Split Payments with Flex: We have integrated Flex directly into your AppFolio app. This service allows you to split your rent into two payments throughout the month. Flex pays your rent to us in full and on time, while you pay them back on a schedule that fits your cash flow. Full Transparency: View your current balance, previous statements, and full payment history anytime. 2. Build Your Credit for Free with Pinat a Your consistent rent payments should work for you. We are proud to offer Free Positive Rent Payment Reporting to major credit bureaus through our partner, Pinata. How it works: You will receive an email invitation from Pinata to sign up for this service. Once you are enrolled, your on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus. The Benefit: This helps you build your credit score over time without any extra cost. It is our way of rewarding your reliability and helping you reach your long-term financial goals. (Please note: we do not utilize any resident reward or marketplace features through Pinata; this service is strictly for your credit reporting benefit.) 3. More Ways the App Helps You Beyond payments, the AppFolio app remains your primary tool for staying connected with our Lake Forest community. You can: Submit Maintenance Requests: Easily upload photos and descriptions of any needed repairs. Manage Renter's Insurance: Access your policy or update your provider details. Stay Informed: Contact the office via text or phone, update your contact preferences, and access your lease documents. At  Crestwood Apartment Homes  , we treat every resident like a VIP. Whether you are looking for more flexibility with Flex or looking to boost your credit score through Pinata, we are here to support your lifestyle.

The Top Holiday Events this Season Near Lake Forest, CA

November 21, 2023
Refer to our holiday guide for the best activities in and near Lake Forest, CA. Happy celebrating!
Family walking with pet

Lake Forest Spotlight: Heritage Hill Historical Park

August 16, 2021
Heritage Hill Historical Park features over four acres of land with beautiful, fully restored and furnished historic buildings. Keep reading for more information about our favorite historical site in Lake Forest.