Electricity hazard or not?

Johno02 wrote:
If it is a standard poodle puppy, double your dog-proofing efforts! Seriously, you might try some of the Bitter-apple or other bad tasting products, but beware, some standards like the stuff!

I tried hot sauce to keep my Chow from chewing wires. I think he liked it. We then tried bitter apple and it helped some but we had to keep applying it.

MainerBob wrote:
If a dog chews through a live 110v wire that goes to a surge protector, or a GFI breaker,will it trip protecting the dog or will it be dog toast? Trying to dog proof for a new puppy and electric wires are hard to protect or avoid.

I have had dogs shocked by both 110v 60HZ and 220v 50 HZ and other than screaming like a banshee for a few seconds there was no bad effects. The 110v 60hz is the more dangerous of the two despite popular belief.

Houston Remodeler wrote:
It depends on which side of the GFCI the wire is on. If the wire is on the slave / outgoing / load side / plugged into the GFCI, then the dog will be protected. A normal GFCI reacts in under 1/10000 of a second.

If the wire is on the feed / hot / supply / line side of the GFCI the switch will have zero effect and the puppy can be harmed.

This is true BUT: In the case of a GFI outlet, the wire supplying it will be in the wall and the puppy won't be able to chew on it. The item plugged into the GFI is the cord the puppy will chew on, and yes, the GFI will protect the puppy. Not so with the surge protector, they are designed for a different purpose, not preventing shocks.

There is no chance of anything harmful on a GFI short no worry it is there to save lives. As for all other circuits not so much at all, yes there will be problems. Electrician 49 years.

Depends the best case is a burn in the mouth/lips/tongue worst case would be electrocuted depending on what he/she is standing on.

If there is an exposed electrical wire where a dog can even have the remote possibility to have access to it I wrap it in 1/4 inch welded wire mesh.. Dogs don't like the feel of the metal wire on their mouth.

Bends easily and I use real small zip strips to hold it neatly around the electrical cord.

I err on the better safe than sorry when it comes to the dogs.

It depends on which side of the GFCI the wire is on. If the wire is on the slave / outgoing / load side / plugged into the GFCI, then the dog will be protected. A normal GFCI reacts in under 1/10000 of a second.

If the wire is on the feed / hot / supply / line side of the GFCI the switch will have zero effect and the puppy can be harmed.

If it is a standard poodle puppy, double your dog-proofing efforts! Seriously, you might try some of the Bitter-apple or other bad tasting products, but beware, some standards like the stuff!

Check THIS out, it explains how a GFI works. Sounds as if it would recognize any change, even one caused by a curious puppy.


Fast enough not to cause a burnt tongue????

Don't know if the GFI will react quick enough to prevent a minor burn, but should prevent serious shocks.

I've seen several electrical burns, all on the lips and tongues of puppies. They all healed, but were very painful (imagine the worst burn from pizza on the roof of your mouth then multiply by 3-4X.) I've never seen one electrocuted (and died) from a 110v.

Very good that you're being proactive about puppy proofing your digs.

Doug, DVM