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Do you wonder about how best to contain your dog or cat? Whether your “best friend” is small or large…or somewhere in between…you will want to explore the many humane ways in which you can safely and securely contain your pet…to maximize his or her comfort!

Most pet owners would love to allow their four-footed companions full access to their homes and yards. As a rule, however, pets, like people, are much happier with well-defined boundaries.

In addition to protecting your “best friend” (and your family and furniture) by containing him or her at home, you will need to contain your pet when you are away from home.

Securing Your Pet When You Take a Trip

When business or personal travel is on the agenda, you may not always be able to take your dog or cat with you. Because pets sometimes get destructive when they’re left behind by their “family”, it is necessary to contain them.
Airy fenced-in areas are best. Of course, you will want a trusted friend or neighbor to pop in to make sure your pet is fed, given fresh water and exercised on a daily basis.

Special Cat Considerations

You will need to contain your pet when you take him or her on a short trip-like to the veterinarian. Whereas dogs can be taught to jump into and out of your car and can be either carried into the veterinarian’s office or led in by a leash, cats are a different matter.

A cat should be placed in a pet carrier when he or she travels. For short journeys, box-like units with plenty of air holes suffice. These carriers come in a slew of materials, from throwaway cardboard to sturdy plastic.
The brand name Marchioro offers plastic and wire carriers for under $30.00. More fashionable pet totes look like oversized handbags and can be used for any small dog, as well. They sell for under $50.00.

Special Dog Considerations

Restricting your dog-even small breeds, like the Shih Tzu-presents more of a challenge, but will keep your pet from running out the door when neighbors arrive, and prevent “visits” from other wildlife when your dog ventures outside.

Puppies pose a special problem: they are bound to get entangled in wires as they playfully explore their new surroundings. It’s best to limit their access.

The good news: gone are the days of limited pet house options, when dogs were tethered to a tree or chained to a small structure.

Humane Options

Here are a few ideas for containing your “best friend”:

Expandable Gates -

Originally introduced for children, this product gets a four star rating from pet owners, as well. Expandable gates are lightweight and compact and are a breeze to put together.

A popular style is a wall mounted model which, when installed, can be opened with one hand. It lets you push through the front hinged piece to get through. This sort of gate opens in either direction and is usually made of slim but heavy tubular steel.

The walk-through door can be installed at either end of the wall. An expandable metal gate is usually available for wider areas.
The KidCo brand expandable gate is designed to fit up to 13’ of space and is made with a non-toxic white plastic coating.

Non-Expandable Gates -

Non-expandable gates are also usually placed indoors. As with expandable models, you don’t have to worry about removing the whole front gate to get in or out with these freestanding pet gates. A simple one-hand release makes opening and closing a snap.

The gates come in varying sizes, lengths and widths. An extra-wide swing gate of from 7” to 10” wide provides an accommodation for your smaller pet. This sort of model is available at Ferret.com.

If you have a dog that likes to jump over obstacles, you might want to look into the highest freestanding gates. These gates are available in sizes that go all the way up to 41” in height.

Or you can purchase gates that are just high enough for your non-jumping pet to stay on his side. That way you and your family members will be able to easily step over the fence.

Most non-expandable models come in wood, wire mesh, and steel, and are sold for around $80.00.

Dog “Condos” -

If you can spend as much as $175.00 and you want your pet to be contained in style, you might want to build and place a “condo” cage on your patio or deck.

With the FenceMaster Condo Dog Kennel, you can even place your pet out in the sun! This model has a sun block panel which acts as a roof. There is no digging or installation required, either. The “condo” is easy to put together and requires only common household tools.

The dimensions are accommodating at 4’ W x 4’ L x 4’ H. The size can be expanded to 4’ W x 8’ L x 4’ H.

Pet Fencing -

Installation of a pet fence is a simple matter of placing a wire around the perimeter of the area where you would like your pet to romp around. You then simply plug in the transmitter. (It comes with an adaptor.)

Pet fencing can be used all year round and can be placed in the front or back of the house. The sets are assembled by the owner and usually include a collar with manually programmable levels of “correction”. These are harmless “zaps” which can be set with a simple flip of a switch.

After placing the collar on your dog, your dog receives a signal from the wire if he or she ventures too close to the perimeter. As your dog acclimates to the new environment, he or she will learn to stay within the allotted space.
SportDOG in-ground pet fencing has a model that covers up to 100 acres. A complete set is available for around $200.00.

Wireless transmitters -

This new electronic gadget doesn’t contain your pet per se. Instead, it keeps your pet away from off-limits areas via a collar and transmitter-somewhat like pet fencing does. It doesn’t require any installation and the cost is around $70.00 

Treat Your Sweet Pet to a Suite

Finally, for those who feel torn about leaving their beloved pet behind when they travel, they can make it up to Fido or Princess by booking a luxury suite at a pet lodging facility-and dropping the pet off there! (A Google search will turn up a locale that’s close to the part of the woods where you’ll be traveling.)

Please note that you will be required to provide a certificate of your pet’s vaccinations.

Individualized and group supervised play sessions are featured in most of these suites. Pet Lodge of Williston lets you check up on your pet via internet, too!

Rates are $30.00 per day per pet for a standard suite and $45.00 per day per pet with a webcam. One-on-one playtime and a cuddle and bath are extra (but might be worth it so your pet doesn’t miss you too much!)