Amanda

When our puppy is baby-gated off for any reason, we are going to do that in the kitchen.

Would it be wise to purchase the safety latches for the cabinets (that most people get for babies) to make sure she doesn't get into the cleaning materials under the sink?

Does anyone else use these safety latches for their cabinets? Do they work?

dobegal

I have never had a Dobe yet that has not jumped over the baby gate. Even as young as 16 weeks. So I'm not a good one to ask

Dobemom2b

If your cabinets have the spring closure (push in and it pops the door out far enough to get ahold of) I would use them. Some dogs will also pull open cabinets by the handle (it's one of the tasks a service dog can be trained to do). It wouldn't hurt to put them on cabinets with toxic things in them just to be on the safe side or to move those things to a area they can not get to. Puppies are amazingly gifted and finding ways to get into trouble. The only pet I have seen that is harder to 'proof' for are ferrets.

My dogs have never went over a baby gate, as pups I discourage them from standing up against them. I also never stood on one side and reached over and picked them up/put them down on the other (when small enough) to give the idea to them that the gate could be gone over. I did make that mistake with ferrets.

errica

I use an exercise pen in my kitchen, it was easier than latching all the cabinets, and I can move it around the house and yard if I want to block stuff off. The pup does stand up and put his paws on it, but he's never gone over it.

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Dragon Slaying Dobermans Incorporated, Member #016
"I don't need to sit for the cookie, I hunt dragons all day dammit!" - Lexxington

Amanda

I'm going to get them just in case... my boyfriend thinks it's unecessary, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

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Dobejazz

It certainly wouldn't hurt - we keep Casper gated OUT of the kitchen since he is such an excellent counter surfer- He does respect gates but he is crated when we cant keep an eye on him

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buddydobe

Wow! My 16 wk old boy hasn't even come close to jumping it. Although, one time he bull rushed it and knocked it over....but it scared him so much, he hasn't done it since!

As for cabinets, mine are ok, but I definitely keep my eye on that. I never leave him in the kitchen for very long unsupervised, although I think he's fine in there. When I take a shower for example, I'll leave him there, but give him a treat that I know occupies him for 10 minutes. If he ever figures out how to get a cabinet door open, then life will change around here very quick!

Also keep an eye on his height as he gets older! Before you know it he'll be able to reach things, you didn't think he could reach!

Amanda

I didn't even think about the dog trying to jump over the baby gate... :/

Hopefully Dobemom2b's advice will prevent any of that.

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bec&dan

If you can it might be a good idea to move all the cleaning products to a higher cupboard. Thats what we have done (just to be safe) and only keep harmless things in lower cupboards but the safety latches are a good idea i think! We thought about getting them but luckily Ellie hasn't figured out how to open the doors so we haven't needed them.....yet!

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Linnea

One other thing to consider, depending on your stove - baby-proof the knobs, if there's a chance your dog could bump them. If they're on the back of the stove, not a big deal, but if they're on the front, by the oven door, might be a good idea.