10
Loading video...
By Liz O'Connell
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A pet camera captured a heart-stopping moment when a curious dog snatched a knife from a kitchen counter, prompting experts to warn that many owners underestimate just how resourceful dogs can be around everyday household hazards.
Confused after finding the kitchen knife block tipped over, owner Nathalie Phillips checked the pet camera and discovered the culprit: the family's boxer. The footage showed him standing on his hind legs with his front paws on the counter before knocking over the knife block, grabbing one of the knives and sprinting away.
Fortunately, no one was harmed. Phillips has since relocated the knife block and is continuing to train the dog, who is still a puppy. The incident made the family more aware of just how quickly everyday objects can become hazards.
Read More on Life
While the close call ended without injury, Michelle Bailey, grand master trainer and behavior therapist with Bark Busters Canada, told Newsweek that the video highlights risks dogs encounter inside homes daily, some of which may surprise owners.
...
Common Household Hazards Owners Overlook
Bailey said the in-home trainers at Bark Busters, a dog-training company with 35 years of experience, have seen firsthand how everyday items become hazards for bored, anxious or curious dogs left unsupervised. Even when owners believe they've placed something safely out of reach, determined dogs often find a way.
- Sugar-free gum and candy containing xylitol topped Bailey's list of overlooked hazards. She said a single piece can trigger a dangerous insulin spike in a medium-sized dog. These items are most often found not in the pantry, but inside purses left on chairs or counters.
- Medications are another frequent culprit. These bottles are commonly left on nightstands or in open bags. "Dogs don't distinguish between a chew treat and an ibuprofen tablet," she said. "Childproof caps are typically not dog-proof."
- Laundry detergent pods and dishwasher tablets can resemble toys because of their bright colors and squishy texture. Puncturing one can cause chemical burns to a dog's mouth, throat and stomach.
- Common houseplants—including lilies, sago palms, pothos and philodendrons—can also pose a serious risk, with some capable of causing kidney failure.
- Kitchen garbage cans without secure lids often contain hidden dangers, including cooked bones that can splinter, corn cobs, onion scraps, coffee grounds or foil with chocolate residue.
- Electrical cords and chargers are especially tempting for puppies and anxious dogs. Bailey said it only takes one bite to cause burns or electrocution.
- Toilet cleaners can pose an unexpected hazard for dogs that drink from the bowl. Slow-dissolving cleaning tablets mean every sip may contain harmful chemicals.
- Children's toys with small parts, including LEGO pieces, rubber bands and hair ties, are swallowed more often than most families realize, Bailey said, and can cause intestinal blockages requiring emergency surgery.
- Even recliners and rocking chairs can be dangerous. Bailey said small dogs often nap underneath them and can become trapped, pinched, or crushed when the furniture moves.
- Heavy household items can also become dangerous if they aren't secured. Dogs investigating enticing smells can pull knife blocks, hot dishes or glassware from countertops, while unsecured televisions, vases and other objects can topple if a dog jumps up or tugs on a tablecloth.
Why Dogs Can't Resist Household Hazards
Dogs experience the world primarily through scent, making everyday household objects far more enticing than owners realize, Bailey said. A cutting board used to slice meat, for example, may still carry food odors that humans can't detect but dogs can.
Novelty and texture also play a role, with unfamiliar utensils, packages or objects left on the counter encouraging dogs to investigate with their mouths.
But Bailey said a lack of mental stimulation or supervision is often the biggest factor. Dogs that regularly get into trouble are frequently under-stimulated or experiencing separation anxiety, making counter-surfing a symptom of a larger behavioral issue than simply a bad habit.
How Owners Can Dog-Proof Their Homes
Bailey said the simplest rule for owners to follow is that if they wouldn't leave something within reach of a toddler, they shouldn't leave it within reach of their dog. She recommends starting with a "nose-level audit" by getting down to a dog's perspective to spot dangling cords, accessible food and cleaning products that are easy to overlook while standing.
She also suggests using baby gates to block access to higher-risk areas such as kitchens, laundry rooms and garages, securing garbage cans with locking lids, storing medications in upper cabinets and checking indoor plants against pet toxicity lists.
And for a counter-surfing dog, owners often judge "out of reach" by where the dog stands flat-footed, but a motivated dog will jump, climb or use furniture as a step. Larger dogs standing on their hind legs can easily reach the back of a standard kitchen counter, she said.
"You can't bubble-wrap your entire home, but you can teach a dog to make good choices," she said. "Dog-proofing is essential, but it's only half the solution."
One mistake she sees repeatedly is owners assuming puppies will naturally outgrow destructive habits, but without clear, consistent training, pups won't outgrow bad habits. Her advice is to establish boundaries early before unwanted behaviors become routine.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Charlotte Nisbet and Gray R. Thomas
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines