Dog gates allow you to contain your pet within certain areas of your house to prevent them from going to areas that they are no allowed to. There are many different types of gates, to cater for different needs. The design of your house and the area of the house you need to keep the dog away from, are the key factors that you will need to use to determine the type of gate you should get for your house. Here are some of the factors and types of gates you should consider before buying one for your house.
You need to consider the design of the gate. There are pressurized gates, freestanding gates, zigzag gates and multi-configuration gates. Pressurized gates do not need to be mounted and are easy to set up. The gates have a lever used to create the pressure that makes it remain in place. It is ideal for places where it is not easy to mount a gate. It is ideal for areas like the middle of the hallway, since you can simply mount it against the wall. The pressurized gates are not very stable and are not suitable for bigger dogs as they will make the gate tip over.
Freestanding gates have the same advantage as the pressurized gates. Since they are freestanding, they can be placed at difficult to mount places, such as the middle of hallways. They can also tip over easily and are therefore not suitable for big dogs. You should avoid putting freestanding gates on top of the staircase. If it tips over it can hurt people on or at the bottom of the stairway.
The best gate to put on top of the staircase is the hardware mounted gate. As the name suggests, it needs to be mounted in order for it to stand. It does not tip over easily and this makes it suitable for someone who wants to keep the dog from going upstairs. It is strong therefore suitable for bigger dogs. The problem with this gate is that it takes time to mount and un-mount it.
For wide hallways and doorways, Zigzag gates are the best. Zigzag gates are designed to be flexible and fit into different places of varying width. If you are going to be using a gate in different areas of the house, a Zigzag Gate will serve you best. Some gates have a small doorway that allows you to access the other areas of the house easily. Most of them are freestanding.
A multi-configuration gate can be setup in many different ways. You can use it against a wall or you can simply use it to make a cage to contain the animal. It is designed to be flexible, so that you can use it around the house.
Dog gates for the house are typically made of wood or metal. There are a lot of different styles including freestanding gates, extra tall, large, models with a door and models for small dogs. Tall dog gates are obviousy better for larger breeds and there are also dog gates for stairs and other styles of dog gates indoor. Wide gates work well for chubbier dogs and you can even get a gate for your car. One recommended brand is Richell.
The character of your dog is as important as its size. A big dog that is well trained will understand barriers and may not even to tip over a weak gate. The character of your dog can help you determine the type of gate you should buy.