Pet Gate

A pet gate is the simplest way to give your dog the run of part of the house without giving them all of it. Stairs, the kitchen while you cook, the room with the good rug: a gate settles all of it without a door slamming.

The range runs from retractable mesh gates to folding panels and lockable pet doors, so there is something for most openings and most dogs.

Measuring and Choosing a Type

Measure the opening at the exact height the gate will sit, since skirting boards and architraves narrow things at floor level. Then think about height, because a gate your dog can clear in one hop is decoration. Pressure mounted gates fit quickly and leave no marks, which suits renters, but they are not right at the top of stairs where a hard shove could shift them. Hardware mounted gates screw into the frame and are the safer choice there. Retractable mesh gates roll away when not needed and suit wide or awkward openings.

Safety and Everyday Use

Check that the latch opens one handed while you carry laundry, but cannot be nosed open by a clever dog. Look at the gap under the gate for small breeds and young puppies, and at the spacing of any vertical bars. Wipe mesh panels down rather than soaking them, and check the tension or fixings monthly, as they work loose with use.

Gates Alongside Crates and Pens

A gate suits dogs who need a boundary rather than an enclosure. If you want a defined space with a floor, a dog crate is the better answer, and for a litter learning to potter about, a puppy pen gives room to play safely. Many households use both, with a gate on the hallway and a heated bed in the room the dog is allowed into.

Ready to set the boundaries? Explore the RPBA collection of pet gates and measure up before you choose.