A crazy idea that solved my pet problem!

10 years ago

We have 3 dogs of varying sizes, a chihuahua, pug and cocker spaniel. They are all pretty bad shedders, so I try to keep them from going in my living room with the 'good' furniture and oriental rug. Up until now, I just yelled if I saw one of them heading for the living room, since the entrance is too wide for a baby gate and we don't want to install French doors.

I came up with a crazy idea and bought 3 tension shower rods to block off the living room entry. I installed the lowest rod only 5 inches from the floor, the next one about 7 inches above that and the third one about 10 inches above that. So the highest rod is less than 2 feet from the floor and not difficult for DH and I to step over, if necessary. The truth is, the living room is our least used room, so this doesn't affect our daily routine and causes no inconvenience for us, but I sure hate having to vacuum it every few days just because the dogs have walked through it.

I had to fiddle with the spacing of the rods a bit, before I came up with heights that would deter all 3 dogs from being able to enter the living room. It's actually quite comical, because the rods aren't very strong, but the dogs just won't try to pass under, through or over them if they believe their body might come into contact with any of the shower rods in the process.

The rods are a burnished brown, so they don't look bad above my dark hardwood floors. I simply spend a few seconds taking them down if guests come over and put them back up afterwards. I just thought I'd pass this cheap idea along for any of you who might have a room with a wider entrance that you wish to keep off limit to your (smallish) dogs.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

ms-thrifty
10 years ago
very clever.
Annie Deighnaugh
10 years ago
We had an issue with the cat and our DR rug so we had a piece of styrofoam that we cut about 18" high ... used duck tape to hold the pieces together ... so we could step over it, but the cat never jumped it. Light weight and easy to move when company came.

I have to admit its nice not having the barrier any more, though I miss the cat.
Related Professionals
Hagerstown Interior Designers & Decorators · Sweetwater Interior Designers & Decorators · Fayetteville Furniture & Accessories · Lebanon Furniture & Accessories · Marietta Furniture & Accessories · Millburn Furniture & Accessories · North Hollywood Furniture & Accessories · Pinehurst Furniture & Accessories · Robbinsdale Furniture & Accessories · Lake Magdalene Furniture & Accessories · Ashburn Custom Artists · Pasadena Lighting · Berkeley Window Treatments · Lodi Window Treatments · San Jose Window Treatments
neetsiepie
10 years ago
Great idea! I bought a faux wrought iron gate set at HD because I was sick of the baby gate. I wanted to be able to access the room if someone came to the front door (we also seldom use the LR) easily. I had to improvise their fit, but we like it.

I'm trying to figure out a solution to another doorway-it's too wide for the gates. I have an extra long baby gate there, but it's a real pain since it blocks off access to the guest room if it's swung open. I love your idea, but our dogs can hop over something I can step over.
arcy_gw
10 years ago
We used baby gates, wood, extension type for our pets, they too can be stepped over by adults. They don't leave marks and are swiftly set up and hidden away when necessary.
graywings123
10 years ago
I love the tension rod idea - so clever!
User
10 years ago
Clever idea pickyshopper. I only wish it would work for our cats. All but Mollee would be hopping right over it or squeezing through. We're thinking of putting in a couple french doors to keep them out of the parlors and library at night.
carriem25
10 years ago
A cute idea. However, in her prime I watched my border collie cross scale a five foot fence, LOL. These days, arthritis in her knee replacement keeps her closer to the ground, but she was quite the Olympian in her youth :)

Carrie
terezosa / terriks
10 years ago
I don't think it's a crazy idea. I think it's genius!
amicus
Original Author
10 years ago
Unfortunately, my idea won't work for a dog who can jump over the highest height an adult is willing to step over. But it sure is magic for our smaller dogs. They sometimes go running down the foyer, headed to the living room, but stop immediately right in front of the shower rods.

They have the whole rest of the main floor and prefer lounging with us in the den or hanging out in the kitchen, so I don't feel too sorry for them that they can no longer 'trespass' into my living room. lol.