Can anybody suggest a gate for a doorway? We’ve used a homemade one for years with great success with many puppies / dogs…. until we got Kaline, our first AT puppy. He managed to get his head stuck. My husband and I have never moved so fast in our lives! My husband used super-human strength to pull the bars apart while I gently pushed Kaline’s head back through. We then added a piece of old vinyl flooring to it with bungie cords until Kaline’s head was a bit bigger. We also had to add something for height because Kaline soon learned he could easily clear it. As you can imagine, by the time we were done modifying — the gate was quite the sight. Mind you, all the other puppies / dogs respected the gate — and understood they should stay on the other side. Kaline saw it as a challenge. Given that we are expecting an X-puppy, I want to be better prepared this time. I do think it will have to be one that fastens to the wall securely. I’ve done some looking and I’ve gotten a good laugh at the ones that fold and just stand free — there is no way that is holding an AT pup!
I have a Kidco Gate, I have used this with Odin and didn’t have problems with it.
http://www.amazon.com/Kidco-Auto-Close-Configure-White/dp/B006OJIJQI/ref=sr_1_6?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1331659472&sr=1-6
The other gate that we use for stairs is this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Crosstown-Soft-Portable-Travel/dp/B001H0GF2O/ref=sr_1_8?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1331659643&sr=1-8
The first one looks like a good fit for our situation. Do you know how much space is between the slots? Enough for a determined 8 week old puppy to get her head caught? Thank you for the help!
I used one like this since there were no bars to get stuck in, and it’s cheap enough you can stack them in case you have a jumper!
http://www.amazon.com/North-States-Supergate-Top-Notch-Gate/dp/B0002JETNS/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1331659992&sr=8-13
I liked these gates they are extra tall and expandible and even have a pass through section.
http://www.overstock.com/Pet-Supplies/Carlson-Super-Wide-Extra-Tall-Maxi-Pet-Gate/4097533/product.html?rcmndsrc=2
Thank God for doors and the old World gates that were installed in the kitchen & butler pantry when this house was built 100 years ago. I think it was designed with puppies, dogs, and children in mind. Since we wanted Dutch to feel at home in the entire house, he was usually tethered to me as we circulated throughout. Those excursions were always made during the first 15 minutes after he had already relieved himself outside. Now, at 16 wks, since he’s completely housebroken, he can be with me everywhere, off-leash, but still under supervision. I still worry that he might chew an electric cord, or furniture legs, etc. I can immediately let him know if he goes for something off limits, and substitute an acceptable exchange (usually a chewie toy or bully stick).
We just can’t believe how much he has matured in the past week. Of course, he’s still a puppy, but sometimes, when he follows me around, brings over a favorite toy, and just lays at my feet chewing contentedly, I can already see the dog that he is growing up to become. A month ago, the only relaxed moments like that were when his was sleeping!