Wednesday, April 4, 2012

How to Gate Your Dog

By Pamela Noble


Dog gates are an important safety feature to have in your home, whether or not you are bringing home a new pup, have an older dog, or have a different new addition to your house. Dog gates can be a solution to problems like keeping your dog out of trouble by limiting its access to specific parts of the house that are much more safe, contain less valuable objects, and do not have escape routes to the street or other perilous areas.

Pet gates are a much better solution than closing a door on your dog and keeping it shut off in a room. With a gate, your dog won't feel as isolated. You can still engage with your dog, see your dog and hear him. This could make a big difference in behaviour and the relationship you have with your pet. It also permits you to create custom spaces for your pet. For instance you can place a pet gate at the top of a stair case and restrict your pet to one floor of the house. This gives the pet plenty of room to move about, at the same time permitting you to better supervise your pet and know where they are.

Spend some time fastidiously considering where to best place a gate, or gates. Think about what the room contains, and how your pet will interact with the room. Is the space freed from hazardous objects? Will your pet be comfortable here? Will it have everything it needs? Is there a possible means of escape for your pet, and will you be well placed to engage with it while its closed off? These are all vital things to be aware of before you purchase a gate.

Many pet gates are also portable, meaning you can easily remove a gate and set it up some place else, changing where your dog is throughout the day, to fit your activities as they change. You can also get expandable gates and gate extensions for extra-wide areas and unique spaces. These are ideal for keeping pets out of the living room or dining room. You can usually find gates to match the decor of your place. Pet gates can be found in steel, plastic or wood and come in several sizes. In fact there are only a few widths that aren't available.

Before selecting a gate, be certain to find the best areas of the house to install it. Then take careful measurements of the width and height you require. Bear in mind, if you happen to have a young dog it will grow speedily and you should compensate by purchasing a gate that can accommodate the full size dog. Another thing to keep in mind is your pet's strength. Never lose sight of the strength of a healthy dog. There are gates made to withstand an impressive amount of pressure but read product descriptions carefully. Most will list the maximum size and weight of the dog it can accommodate.

Once you choose a gate and are ready to install it, thoroughly read the instructions. Once it is correctly installed, test the gate. Place heavy strain on the gate and confirm it doesn't move. Make sure the gate has no sharp edges or anything that might offer a choking risk for your pet. Is your dog a chewer? Will the material of the gate resist a determined, or teething dog? Ensure the slats aren't far enough apart that the dog could get its head stuck between them.

Once you've made sure the gate is secure and safe, enjoy the freedom of confidence and don't leave the dog unattended for long periods of time. Enjoy a new secure environment for you and your pet.




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