Dog gates and stairs buying guide

Whether you're hoping to help your dog get around a bit easier or to create more boundaries in the home, you might find you need a few pieces of equipment. Dog gates are used to limit your dog's access to certain rooms or floors of the house just like a baby gate! Dog steps are used to give small dogs a bit more independence or to give a helping hand to older dogs that are no longer able to jump up on the furniture.

Dog gates must be made of strong materials with a robust fastening system to stand up to persistent pups! Dog stairs must must be stable, easy to care for and able to support the weight of your dog. Bear in mind that the lighter the stairs, the easier they will be to move around to make your dog's life easier all around the home.

Want to prevent your dog from getting into certain areas of the house? Don't want them getting into your bedroom or want to limit their movements overnight while you're toilet training? Dog gates are a great way to do all this and what's more, they're easy to use.

Different types of dog gates

Basic dog gates 

Designed to block off a room or corridor, these gates usually measure around 70 cm in width.

Multi-panel or adjustable gates 

Dog play pens can be assembled in different ways whether you're looking to block off access to a room or create a play pen in the corner.

Expandable accordian dog gates

These dog gates can be dangerous if your dog decides to jump over the top or reach through the gate with their paws.

Portable dog pens

Whether you go for a pen or gate all depends on your needs. Portable dog pens are most commonly used to create a safe space to keep your dog but can serve many purposes such as blocking off a door, dividing a room or protecting a specific item in the home.

Installing a dog gate

Dog gates can be installed in the following ways:

• via pressure mount fixings;

• drilled into the wall;

• simply set down on the ground (free-standing models).

Picking the right dog gate

Dog gates also come in various materials including wood, plastic and aluminium. Be sure to consider how easy the gate is to open as it'll no doubt be used by all members of the family.

Some gates are higher than others which is particularly important if you have a large dog. A German shepherd can easily jump two metres without batting an eyelid... but even the smallest of pups will have a few tricks up their sleeves!

Before making your choice, think through the following points:

• how the gate will be used;

• your dog (age, weight, condition);

• the people who will be operating the gate (elderly people, children, etc.)

Dog stairs might seem a bit 'out there' as a concept but they can be really useful.

How to use dog stairs

Dog stairs are primarily used to help small dogs, puppies or elderly dogs access any space they'd otherwise need to jump up to reach. Dog stairs are particularly useful for climbing:

• in the car;

• on a bed;

• on the sofa.

By providing your dog with stairs, you'll prevent them from straining their joints or falling on their backs which is a common cause of hip complaints! Dog stairs will also give your dog a bit more independence as they won't have to wait on you picking them up.

These small stairways are usually made up of three steps for an overall height of about 80 cm.

How to choose your dog stairs

As with all products, dog stairs do tend to vary in terms of quality. If you go for a plastic stair set, you will need non-slip or textured strips along the stair treads. Stairs covered with carpet or thick fabric will be more comfortable to use and won't make as much noise.

It's essential to ensure that the stairs feature a solid base so they are sure to stay in one spot, whether your dog walks, leaps or bounds up the stairs! Rubber-coated stoppers can be fitted to the base of the stairs to prevent them from moving around.

In terms of material, it's basically up to you to decide. Maybe you're after a discreet design or perhaps you don't really mind what the stairs look like! Dog stairs come in solid wood, chipboard or plastic.

When it comes to maintenance, some stairs come with clip-on panels or a removable cover that can be taken off for washing.

Finally, remember to read the product description carefully to find the maximum weight supported by the stairs. A stair case designed for toy poodles won't have a change against a big old retriever!

It's worth noting that some stairs can be folded away to save space. However, the stair treads don't tend to be very deep making them unsuitable for larger dogs.

Here is a short list of features to pay attention to when choosing a set of dog stairs:

• Are the steps non-slip?

• Is the base non-slip?

• Can the cover be removed?

• Are the stairs stable?

• Can they be folded away?

• Is the maximum weight indicated?

• Are the steps covered (a must for anxious dogs)?

So there you have it: you're armed with everything you need to find the right dog gate or stairs to make your four-legged friend's life a little easier!