Indoor Dog Gates

How to make indoor dog gates work for you. Before you buy a dog gate, here are the pros and cons of different styles, installation and how to train your dog to stay away from the gate.

Dog gates vary a lot in height and width so measure where you want it before you start shopping. I’ve guessed and been wrong by one inch! Not only did I have to make the trip back to the store, but getting all the parts back in the box was a pain in the rear.

Materials and Styles to Consider

Materials are plastic, wood, and metal. I think the material you choose should be according to your budget and what will look the best. You can even choose a stylish gate to match your décor. There are picture links on this page so you can check out prices. As of this writing ALL these gates include free shipping and this company has a good reputation.

Wood and Metal Dog Gate

As for style, there are freestanding; pressure mounted; and wall mounted:

Freestanding dog gates can work pretty well, especially on carpet. I think the heavier ones with braces at the bottom would work nicely. I haven’t tried one yet but if I needed it, I’d love to have the extra wide wood gate with the slide opening in the center.

Freestanding Metal Dog Gate






Pressure mounted gates are similar to a shower curtain rod. The more pressure, the sturdier they should be. Here’s the problem.

• Scars and takes paint off the wall
• Can be knocked down (I’ve done it myself by carrying a load of laundry through the gate)

Mounted Metal Gate

• Creating too much pressure when mounting can ruin your sheetrock wall and make the gate very difficult to open. (Heck I’ve done this too.)

Wall mounted indoor dog gates have some of the same drawbacks as pressure mounted gates. Often they are a combination of these two methods, but if you put them up right the first time, you will avoid 90% of the problems.

Avoid Wall Damage

Mounting brackets give your gate a better hold but you need to either screw them into a stud behind the sheet rock or use a molly bolt that expands behind the wall.

You can always add mounting holders later by buying plastic rod holders that look like this for about $2.00. Just be sure you have some molly bolts for backup if you don’t have wood behind the sheet rock. (Often I’ve had it on one side and not the other.)

Training and Who Owns the Gate Anyway?

You may think metal dog gates are the least destructible BUT it depends on your dog.

Putting up indoor dog gates is step one. Not all dogs are happy with the addition and will squeeze through, knock them down, jump over or tear them up. Here are some thoughts to help you avoid all that.

I have 4 big dogs. One who can easily jump over our 38" gate and all of them could knock it down if they wanted - even bolted into the wall.(Each one is over 70 pounds.) Yet they don't. Why? Because it is MY gate and they respect it.

If they didn't it wouldn't matter if I had plastic, wood or metal dog gates in my house. They would be smart enough or determined enough to find a weak spot such as the wall where the gate is mounted. They certainly have the time while I am away.

Some Dos and Don'ts With New Indoor Dog Gates

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