Dog gates are great for homes with dogs or puppies.  You probably have certain parts of your home that you don’t want your dog around or in.  Maybe you just want to keep them out of the kitchen while you’re cooking.   People also use baby gates to keep their pups away from certain areas as well.  Whatever you need it for, they can certainly prove their worth and peace of mind.  For first time buyers, here is a guide on how to buy dog gates for the house.

It’s a smart idea to have the dog gate already installed if you haven’t bought or adopted your dog yet.  It’s recommended to have the gate installed right before the puppy or dog enters the house so they understand it’s part of the house. You can consider it as a part of house training.

Here’s a brief video of a few things you’ll want to think about when buying a dog gate:

When buying dog gates for the house, you should decide on the type that you want. At present, there are two main types of dog gates based on the way they are mounted:

• Pressure mounted – you will not need a special tool to install dog gates under this category. It’s mounted by placing it to an opening or entry before the adjustable stand or feet are tightened against the wall.
• Hardware mounted – you will need some screws and tools. Such kind of dog gates are mounted to a wall or post.

One common mistake with dog gates are choosing mainly based on what looks good when in fact you should be choosing based on the application and safety. For instance, the pressure mounted dog gates are best for hallways and rooms where a solid wall surface can be easily found.  If you need one for your stairs, consider buying a hardware mounted dog gate. It can also be installed on doorways, hallways, and at the bottom of stairs just like pressure mounted gates. Nothing is worse than buying a wrong product. Make sure to check for the specified application.

Other options for dog gates for the house include the straight or zigzag freestanding dog gates. Another is the multi-configuration type. The free standing type is easy to move. There is no installation needed. The multi-configuration type can be used even if there are no walls around. You can even build a dog pen with several multi-configuration dog gates.

You’ll also want to think about how it’s made.  At present, wooden and metal dog gates are in great rivalry. Lots of people love how sturdy metals can be while others prefer the strength and natural appeal of wood. Depending on the type of wood and metal, the weight of dog gates may vary. Solid and hard wood are remarkably heavy that even big dogs cannot move a freestanding dog gate made of hardwood. When it comes to metal dog gates, your best choice are those made from wrought iron so pets will have a hard time pushing it.

Once you have determined the right type for the application based on where you will use it, the next step is to evaluate its safety for both people and dogs. Dog gates for the house should be at least 22-inches tall if you have an average-sized dog.