There's almost nothing on the planet some dogs won't eat - rocks, razor blades, pantyhose, even bee hives. That's why it's important to puppy proof your home by removing potentially dangerous items in order to keep your new pet safe. Here's a room-by-room guide for some common household hazards.

The Kitchen

Some of the foods we love to eat can sicken or kill our dogs. Those include grapes, raisins, onions, avocados, macadamia nuts and chocolates, with the unsweetened variety generally being more toxic, experts say. Don't leave these foods or harsh cleaning supplies on counter tops where larger breed pups can easily reach them.

Use a tight fitting or locking cover on trashcans, both inside and outside your home, so if your pup intentionally tips it over the garbage won't spill out.

The Bedroom

Get into a habit of shutting closet doors and nightstand draws to protect shoes, socks, underwear, and towels from being torn apart by your puppy's razor sharp teeth. Many unprepared owners wind up rushing to emergency hospitals because their curious pup gulped down something they shouldn't and now requires surgical removal.

Don't leave prescription or over the counter drugs on nightstands or bathroom vanities where your dog can easily reach it. About 50,000 cases of accidental exposure to human medications are reported annually, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) animal poison control center, a 24 hour national hotline staffed by veterinary toxicologists. Instead store your family's medications in a top cabinet, out of paws' reach. Also keep your pet's medication in a separate location from human prescriptions to avoid mix-ups.

The Bathroom

Keep hygiene and beauty products, including soap, toothpaste, and sun block, in a top cabinet. Put the toilet lid down after every use to prevent your pup from consuming stagnant or chemically treated water that can cause an upset stomach or gastrointestinal problems.

The Garage

Ban your dog from the garage where all sorts of toxic chemicals lurk ranging from pesticides and paints to fertilizers and weed killer.

Promptly wash away puddles of ethylene glycol (the dangerous ingredient in antifreeze) from your garage floor or driveway. If this sweet tasting liquid is lapped up by your pup, immediate veterinary care is needed. Kidney failure (and subsequent death) occurs in a matter of hours after ingestion, veterinarians say. A somewhat safer alternative, toxicologist say, is antifreeze made from propylene glycol.

The Living Room

Nibbling on certain types of indoor plants can sicken or kill your puppy. In fact, nearly 400 indoor and outdoor plants (including azalea, aloe, rhododendron, and sago palm) are potentially toxic to dogs. To find out if the greenery in and around your home is dog friendly go to the ASPCA's website to view a searchable list of plants.

Block access to electrical cords leading to lamps, televisions, and computers in order to prevent your pup from chewing on them. If that's not possible, use a heavy gauge protective cover or spray a bitterant (sold at pet stores) on the cords to deter chewing.

Remove vases and other breakable knickknacks from coffee tables, and store throw rugs in closets until your pup is reliably housetrained.

The Staircase

Block off dangerous stairs and balconies, or rooms deemed off limits with a pressure mounted baby gate. A vast array of attractive wood, metal and clear gates are available to blend with just about any decor.

The Yard

Closely look around your yard for potential puppy dangers. Are sharp gardening tools lying around? Open boxes of pool or yard chemicals? Does a hole in your fencing need repair? If so, your first step is to fix or remove anything that might pose a danger to your curious newcomer. Put locking lids on trash cans, for example, to prevent pups from gobbling up the garbage.

Remove toxic landscaping mulch made from Cocoa bean shells, a byproduct of chocolate production. And install traditional or portable mesh-styled fencing around in-ground pools and spas to keep pets out of the water when you're not around to supervise.

By taking these and other common sense precautions it's easy to keep your new pet safe, and avoid costly veterinary bills.

About the Author: Maryann Mott is an Arizona-based pet journalist.