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Dog proof door/gate/barrier??!!

6K views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  Jessidog 
#1 ·
Hi guys, I suppose I should be in the dog behavioral forum instead of DIY - but please bear with me. We have 3 dogs, they are not house dogs. They stay outside during the day if weather is tolerable, the rest of the time they stay in our unfinished basement, and occasionally upstairs with us. We have unfinished stairs leading from the basement up to our living area. We have a child gate type barrier about 4' from the floor made from some sort of hard plastic. It works great for the two little dogs, but our big dog has taken to jumping over the gate, clearing the steps and on to the landing about 4 steps up. We are afraid he will get hurt, and it also creates a ruckus with the other dogs. We have tried blocking it with chairs, etc. and he figures out a way to effortlessly get over the darn thing.

My question is, do you have any suggestions for a simple door or other barrier to install at the bottom of the steps that will keep him out. We prefer not to close it off with a door completely, but may have to. Any easy, inexpensive suggestions? Appearance is not an issue - our little dog chews up every thing on his level - chunks of drywall, wood framing, you name it - and he is way beyond puppy stage.

Thanks for any helpful response - we won't get rid of the dogs - we have already considered a dog whisperer, but none in our area.

Thanks!
 
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#3 ·
Screen door could work

Thanks, yes a screen door is a possibility - we would have to place some sort of aluminum guard over the screen part to keep him from clawing it out I'm afraid. Will see if I can come up with a picture to post - was at work when I found this forum.

One of the engineers that I work with suggested a cargo net like you put on truck beds in place of the tail gate. Our concern there is that he may try to get through it and get caught up in it.

Thanks again for your suggestion.
 
#5 ·
Hey,I'm not sure about the little dog being bored - he has his best buddy alpha dog with him all the time - inseparable. She doesn't chew stuff up, but he is either getting into newspapers, insulation out of the walls, you name it. Alpha dog doesn't like it when he does it and barks to let us know he is misbehaving. I was thinking more like a half door, so we could see in without having to open it.
 
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