Ideas needed for diy indoor enclosure for my dogs

RT Christensen
by RT Christensen
  3 answers
  • What type of enclosure? A crate for sleeping? Or to keep off limits to certain parts of the house?

    • See 1 previous
    • Ok I get it! I have 3dogs, 3 neighbor dogs, 6 indoor/outdoor cats, a canary and a dragon in my teeny tiny house - I am the maid, caretaker and food preparer and moneymaker for all these pets . . . Yes, very familiar with amok!!!! 🐶🐩🐕🐶🐩🐕 We have the "Castaic 500" every night -up stairs, down stairs, outside . . .


      I needed to do that at one point too. I went to the lumber yard with measurements in hand. They cut me a piece of wood to my specs. Purchased hinges (heavy duty), and a handle and a locking device and went home an installed in a "doorway" (I have open concept), that was tall enough for them not to jump over - at least initially. I did slap some stain on it so as to at least "look" intentional and finished. Full well knowing dog scratches would appear almost instantly.


      Another option would be a dutch door?


      Make sure you screw into studs if they are jumpers. Also be prepared to repair should you decide to move. I had some nice holes in the wall when removed and did cost a few bucks to fix. To me - worth every penny - I love all animals and will do what it takes to keep them happy and healthy.



  • Pennie1958 Pennie1958 on Apr 26, 2017

    i made a play pen for my dogs by hooking four cribs side together with piano hinge

  • Sharon Sharon on May 05, 2017

    As a former dog trainer, sounds like they need more exercise so they aren't going amok in the house. We trained all our dogs to run next to a bike, that way we could do a few miles to tire them out quickly without killing ourselves.


    A few ideas are: 1) crate at bedtime with a chew toy; 2:) baby gates in doorways to isolate in an area; 3) screen doors. My neighbor made some screen doors out of wood frame and that white resin lattice, she designed hers as dutch doors, with hinges and hooks on top to secure, and sliding bolt on bottom half..... can see whats going on but can't get out. 4) build an outside run. 5) I had a zip-line with last dog I took care of that she could run up and down the length of the long yard to play.