Cross Breeds

Pet barrier without using gates?

Anybody know of a good pet barrier, without using gates? I tried something called "Simple Solutions - Repellent for cats and dogs" and it did nothing whatsoever. My Golden Retriever puppy didn't even pause.

Public Comments

1. If it is outdoors you can try an electronic fence. We had to do that for a short time to train a dog to stay out of my daughters sandbox. For some reason that was the only place it wanted to use as a bathroom. After a few weeks we were able to stop using the system. If it is indoors, can you crate train?
2. You can use Virtual Barrier or Virtual Fence - they are set off by motion and emit an alarm and a burst of citronella oil to keep the dog away.
3. I was at Petsmart the other day and they have such a thing. It's a collar that will shock the dog when he tries to go outside the space that you have set for him. It feels like the shock you get from a carpet.
4. I trained my shih-tzu. I would put him in the bathroom. Easy clean up in there. I have 3 cats, one dog, 3 baby turtles, 1 adult turtle and a house full of fish. Along with my 2 kids.
5. You can teach a dog not to cross an invisible boundary using a rope in the initial stages of training, or just use the rope itself as a portable, easy to walk over boundary. Start off by placing the rope across the doorway you don't want the dog to cross. Use a piece of nylon rope, clothesline twine, etc. Tie or tape it so it's several inches off the ground so the dog notices it. Chest height for the dog is a good place to start. Wait. When the puppy crosses the rope, tell him "No" and place him back behind the barrier and reward him. It will take awhile, but the dog will catch on. Once the raised rope keeps him from crossing the doorway, lower it a few inches each day until it's lying on the floor. If you do this correctly, the dog will respect the rope boundary. Then, you can set the rope up somewhere else and repeat the lessons making sure he learns that the rope can't be crossed no matter where it is-- not just in one doorway. If it's a permanent boundary (for instance, if you NEVER want your dog to enter the dining room) start shortening the rope's length a few inches each day until the dog won't cross the boundary when the rope is gone. If you are only wanting a temporary barrier (perhaps you want to keep the dog out of the living room when he comes in from outdoors with wet paws) just lay the rope out on the floor at this time. This comes in handy when traveling-- I can take a short length of rope along with me and keep my dogs out of certain rooms in other people's homes, away from their new couch, or out of the bathroom in hotels, etc. If you're not willing to take a lot of time and train the pup consistently to respect the rope boundary, it won't work. If that's the case, using a baby gate is a better solution. A good one is easy to open and close with one hand, and isn't a big deal to have in your home.