looking for ideas - dog related

RazorRacer · 03-30-2005, 04:01 AM

Tell me a way to keep my dog from going upstairs, but yet allow my cats and kids to go up and down the stairs.

Best idea yet: The dog will not open a door so maybe a swinging saloon style door near one of the steps that is high enough to allow the cats under it.

The dog is medium build. A better idea would be some sort of cattle guard or invisible device.

This is just a shot to see if there are any better ideas.

The reason for this is that she (the dog) hasn't domiciled the upstairs (yuck).

rcecale · rcecale's Garage

I have a friend who has a couple of Scotties. They control where the dogs are allowed to go throughout the house using something like this. .

They don't have this particular unit, but a setup that is actually wired into the walls, I believe. Even when they have the system turned off, the dogs don't go into the controlled area because they've been conditioned to the stimulus.

Randy

Mike Bonkalski · 03-30-2005, 05:46 AM

Invisible Fence has a small pod that works the same way as their yard systems. Just put the pod wherever you don't want the dog to go. You could place it at the bottom of the stairs.

It works great for keeping the cats off of the counter tops and the dogs away from the Christmas tree.

Seahawk · 03-30-2005, 08:25 AM

We just put one of these in Monday. Works great and was simple to install without scarring the paint, trim, etc.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444178 0730&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302035806&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1112203392887

gaijindabe · 03-30-2005, 08:43 AM

Unless you have a dumb dog where all the brains have been bred out in favor of some other trait, I would say keeping the dog from going up-stairs is pretty easy.. How about a few sharp words and a rolled up newspaper? Before anyone thinks I am cruel, I think it is better than zapping the poor beast, and it wont have to wear some silly collar. Dogs are pack animals and they do understand rank. If your the boss, your dog will listen to you.

RazorRacer · 03-30-2005, 08:55 AM

Thanks for the great idea. This definately solves my problem.

Gaijindabe,

She was 3 when I got her from the SPCA and she wouldn't come upstairs. Unfortunately, I encouraged her to come upstairs. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I could stop her from going upstairs, but the only time she does it is when we are gone or at night while we are asleep. How do I encourage her to go upstairs so I can command her not to go upstairs?

gaijindabe · 03-30-2005, 09:09 AM

Again pack animals, the rest of the pack is upstairs, its only natural.. (yes, they think we are dogs too, or maybe they are human??)

Thats a tough one. I dunno.. Maybe with your next dog??

porschefied · 03-30-2005, 05:40 PM

>>The reason for this is that she (the dog) hasn't domiciled the upstairs (yuck).

Hello -- You mean your dog hasn't had an accident upstairs, or hasn't starting sleeping upstairs?

The dog is happiest when she is next to the family. Her poor little brain will not understand what is going on, that kids she loves and cats (who she certainly thinks are beneath her in pack-rank) can freely go upstairs.

She knows "upstairs" is a special place that belongs to you, her people. Unless you block it off, she will want to go upstairs when you are not home. But if you have a dog to whom obstacles mean nothing, that would just be a problem the dog would solve -- by busting through, or eating through, or maybe getting caught in and then panicking and hurting herself.

You can train her to have a place to go to, like a dog bed, or couch, and give it a name, so that "go to your bed" will get you the response you want. I recommend the book, Culture Clash by Jeanne Donaldson, for an excellent description of how the dog brain works and also training assistance.

Those electro-shock training devices should be banned as they are frequently misused. And teaching a dog through fear is not the way to go.

I rehabilitated my American bull terrier (from animal shelter) from dog post-traumatic stress disorder to being a very happy friendly dog using food rewards (and consistency and kindness of course). Good luck with your dog and your training project.

-Shelley

Moneyguy1 · 03-30-2005, 06:10 PM

After reading this and other similar threads, I am beginning to understand why I do not have pets. Far nicer to let my grown kids have them. I can play with them and leave!!

Actually, the wife and I are on the road a lot and a dog is out of the question unless we wanted to limit places we were welcome.

Sarah · Sarah's Garage

We use metal dog gates that swing open. They are strong enough to not fall over and stay secure against the wood frames. We got them at either Petco or PetSmart...i can't remember. It has really helped because sometimes our bulldog likes to ambush people when they come into the house...but if he is behind a gate...he is just fine.

Here is a pic with one in the background.