Pet Gate - How to select the right one!
Everything you need to know about Pet Gates but were afraid to ask

Choosing the right one for your needs

• Width - The first thing to consider when selecting a pet barrier is the size of the opening where it will be installed. Most gates are designed to work in an average size doorway or hallway inside your home. but measuring the spot first and checking the specifications on the barrier is important. Often times, pet parents are trying to separate a larger area such as an archway, so width is important.
  
  Our Duragate model accommodates widths up to 41.5 inches wide, and with vertical extensions up to 45.5 inches tall. Our Heirloom Wood Gate extends to 41.5 inches wide, and our Clear Safety model will work in applications requiring a pet barrier that can handle 53.5 inches wide
  
• Do you have Children ? Many times, parents need to have their child or children separated on the other side from their dog. Keeping children away from pets when you want them separated can be an important reason for a pet safety barrier. Make sure that any barrier you purchase is safe for both children and pets, with no chance to accidentally get stuck in the gate. The bar spacing on all gates sold by Charlie's Pet Supply are listed on the product page. Most gates have a bar spacing of 2.5 inches. That protects both your dog, and children.
  
  The pet barrier needs to be tall enough so your toddler can't knock it down or climb over it. Your barrier also needs to be strong enough that your puppy won't break through it! If your dog is a good jumper, you might want to consider a taller barrier.
  
  Every pet gate sold by Charlie's Pet Supply is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturer Association (JPMA), and adheres to the guidelines set forth by the JPMA and the Consumer Products Safety Commission. In addition, the manufacturer, Cardinal Gates, is a member of the International Association for Child Safety (IAFCS).
• Consider Your Dog's age - A younger puppy will have a lot of energy, and will be testing the barrier a lot. If your dog is a medium to larger dog, or one with a lot of mass, such as a bull dog, consider a taller version. A larger dog or one with a lot of strength will need a pet barrier mounted to stay in place. A senior dog will be content to sleep and not be interested in challenging getting past the barrier.
• Mounted Gates or Free Standing Gates - All of our mounted units will attach with hardware to the inside of the doorway. Be aware that once installed, these gates are a bit more permanent. Although we sell hardware that will minimize the damage to your home railings, it will be necessary to drill into the wall in some instances. Be certain that the area to install the barrier is strong enough to support it!
  
  We carry several mounting hardware accessories to mount our pet barrier products to a wide variety of applications. These accessories, will allow you to mount the unit you select to straight, oversized and/or round hardwood or wrought iron railings in a professional way that does not require permanent damage to your hardwood or wrought iron railing. Refer to our Mounting Kit Guide to help select the right accessories for your situation.
  
  In some situations, a Free Standing Pet Barrier is more desirable, because it is able to be moved from location to location, and no physical mounting is required. Charlie's Pet Supply offers these free standing gates; Step Over Wood or VersaGate Gates. Keep in mind however if you have a strong toddler or a medium to large size dog, the Step Over Wood unit may be jumped over or tipped more easily than an installed pet barrier. The VersaGate is a free standing gate that due to its many configurations can be made to be more stable than a standard free standing pet barrier.
  
  
• Puppy Training - Consider as well that using a pet barrier can help train a puppy, by giving your dog enough space to run and play while not inside their training crate, but without having run of the rest of the house that is filled with potential puppy hazards, such as chewing and teething, or jumping on furniture, etc.. This can also reduce a dog's separation anxiety, as your dog will feel like it is still part of the action. As a dog, seeing open space is less frustrating than seeing a closed door.
• Moving from Room to Room - Think about how you plan to move from room to room. When your product is in installed, will you or your family members be able to step over the barrier, each time you cross? Remember that you do not want anyone getting hurt by falling over the pet barrier while entering the room. The best solution is to choose a pet safety barrier with a built in gate, so the outer frame stays mounted in the doorway, but the inner door swings open for easy access. This style barrier is a must for older folks or for those that may be less flexible than they once were! The Auto-Lock Model, the Clear Safety Model, the Duragate Model, the Heirloom Wood Gate, and the Stairway Special Model all have latches that allow the doors to swing open, allowing people to pass without having to step over the pet barrier. The Stairway Special product also has a latch that is hard for toddlers to open. This is especially important at the top of a stairway so your child does not fall down the stairs!!
• Traveling with Fido - When traveling with your pet, always bring your portable pet barrier. Not everyone wants your dog jumping on the furniture, even if they love dogs too! Gates insure safety and sanity, and greatly increase your chances of being invited back!

There you have it. When choosing a particular product, once you consider all the elements, the design, the location and the purpose, pick one that looks good as well. For however long you need it, it will be part of your home. You will likely open it, close it, bump yourself on it and maybe even fall over it, but there is no good reason that you have to dislike it! Go ahead - give yourself a treat and buy a pet barrier that will be an attractive and sensible part of your family life.

If you have any questions that are not answered by this article, please contact us for further assistance.