Store-bought pet gates are great and all; but they’re typically expensive, don’t have the right size, and don’t match your home aesthetic.
Who says building your own DIY dog gate has to be complicated?
We have scoured the interwebs for all sorts of dog barricades – spanning from simple 5-minute builds, to full blown woodworking projects.
We’ve provided links below to each project instructions so you can see what’s involved.
If you’re still feeling handy check out our DIY Dog feeding stations.
Here’s the best dog gates we could find:
1. PVC Doggy Gate for Stairs
Before we get into the fancy farm-house chic doors, let’s keep things simple and easy (yet classy). This barrier is used to keep Annie, the Golden Retriever, from going up and down the stairs. Thankfully, it was cheap and easy to build.
It’s simply a PVC frame, and some fabric with a few seams sewn in. It slides over the frame like a pillow case – and voila! A fancy pet barrier that’s easy to move.
Click here to see the full build instructions.
2. Wood Dowel Door
For something a little more of a challenge, we could arrange and paint wooden dowels within a simple frame to create a nice looking guard rail. It looks clean, and is surprisingly simple to construct.
Click here to see the full build instructions.
3. ‘No-Hinge’ Baby Gate
There’s no hinges here, no attachments, and no drilling into the wall required. Great for renters or someone who doesn’t want to cause any damage. The bottom is lined with a soft fabric (furniture protectors) that allow for easy sliding (between the railing on the right side).
Of course, this only works if you have stairs with a railing – and you have just the right amount of space to hold the barrier upright, and be able to slide it open and closed.
Click here to see the full build instructions.
4. Stand-out DIY Doggie Gate
A picture is worth a thousand words – and as you can see, this project seems to serve it’s purpose quite well. The unique ‘tree’ design really makes this stand out. It’s a simple wooden frame, and then multiple 45 degree cuts. This one is tricky to build, but if you have the tools and the will, it certainly looks fantastic.
YellowBrickHome shows us how to build the perfect doggie gate.
5. Foldable Baby Gate for the stairs
Similar to entry #2 this is another wooden dowel gate, but with an awesome foldable design. That makes things a whole lot easier for quick travel, or if you only have one hand free.
This project is surprisingly easy if you have a little bit of woodworking skill.
How to build the folding baby gate.
6. Custom DIY Indoor Pet Gate
Instead a dog door for stairs, what if we want a barn door to block off part of the house? This custom project is beautiful and can stand up to even the biggest of dogs. I won’t lie, it’s a little more work intensive compared to some of the others.
What you end up with is a perfect door blocker for dogs.
Full build instructions on this beautiful gate.
7. Super easy PVC gate
I know what you’re thinking… all these baby gates look great, but they’re big projects that take some time to build.
Well, look no further – this gate puts together like Lego, and costs about $20. It’s also safer; as there’s no sharp corners (if your dog tends to hurt themselves trying to escape).
How to build your own PVC Dog Gate.
8. DIY Dog Gate Made From a Old Bench
This may look like a simple and beautiful custom-built gate. But what you don’t see is this was built from the legs of an old bench. Extra points for creativity.
It proves you don’t always have to look through the hardware store, but instead at the old furniture gathering dust in the garage. A perfect small pet barrier for smaller canines.
Don’t believe me – go see how they turned something old into something new (and useful).
9. Extra Wide Fabric Pet Barrier
Of course we don’t want to bombard you with complex projects. Instead of construction maybe we put your sewing skills to the test. This project makes use of 2 Spring Rods (rods that are spring loaded and fit snugly between your door frame), and some fabric stretched over.
The nice feature here is you can span even the widest of doorways in your home.
Click here to learn how to make a fabric DIY pet barrier.
10. Little Red Riding Door
I think it’s safe to put baby gates and dog gates in the same category. Besides, our babies are just a bit more furry (and can jump higher). Either way, this is the perfect gate. The red color pops out but in a good way.
Learn how to build your own Little Red Riding Door.
11. Plexi Glass Door
This gate might look next level, but don’t be intimidated. A little bit of woodworking, painting, and a piece of plexiglass is all your need. You can paint it to match your home, and the end result looks very clean and professional.
Although, you might need to keep the window cleaner nearby for the drool marks.
How to make your own plexiglass door.
12. Farmhouse Barn Door Baby Gate
Farmhouse chic is all the rage right now, so I know a few of you just found your favorite baby gate on this list. It’s as functional as it is beautiful.
What’s even better is how detailed the building plans are. Remodelaholic really went the extra mile with their building instructions, so even if you’re a newbie with some tools you should be able to get this one handled.
See the full building plans here.
13. The 10-Minute Baby Gate
A couple pieces of wood, screws, and hinges is all you need here. Hence the ’10 minute’ gate.
Pro tip: If you don’t have a saw, you can get the hardware store to make all your cuts for you. Then all you have to do is drill.
Download the PDF file instructions here.
14. Dutch Door Baby Gate
What is a dutch door? It’s a door that’s cut in half (horizontally) and the two parts open individually. Now, for this project we only need the bottom half for our doggos.
If you have an old door, these clever people cut out the bottom section and added a few finishing touches. It’s beautiful, cheap, and fits in perfectly with your home.
There’s even a short YouTube video that goes over in more detail. Check out the DIY instructions here.
15. DIY Pet Gate from a Vintage Headboard
If you’re into the antique look, then look no further. This gate is an old decorative headboard, with a couple of copper pipe straps to use as hinges.
Even if you don’t have an old headboard; this might spark the creative side in you, and you’ll start to see what other old furniture around your home could have other uses.
How they made a decorative baby gate from an old headboard.
16. DIY Custom Pet Gate
When Kim was designing a pet gate she had 4 main goals in mind:
- It had to be easy to open
- It had to self-close and latch
- It had to be comparable in price
- It had to be PRETTY
At just $47 in materials (about half the cost of a premade gate), I would say she nailed it.
Learn how to make your own pretty pet gate for under $50.
17. The $25 Barn Baby Gate
Since we’re talking about staying within a budget, I think $25 for something this perfect will certainly get some attention. Some wood, hinges, and a few screws is all you need to get going.
The $25 Barn Baby Gate Build Instructions.
18. The Screen Barrier
What if you don’t need a gate to cover a doorway – but a huge opening instead? What if you’re dog is so impressively athletic that she can clear any barrier in their path?
We need to upgrade our technology. In comes the screen door barrier. It’s 57.5″ inches tall and 135″ inches wide. Of course, we can reduce the width by removing a screen or pushing them closer together.
And unless your dog is an Olympic athlete – they probably won’t be able to hurdle this barrier.
DIY instructions for the screen barrier.
19. Rustic Indoor Dog Fence
This gate was designed out of desperation. It would seem their Jack Russel Terrier was a big fan of Spider-man, and could scale just about any fence in her path.
The solution was this metal screen, and a plexiglass barrier over one side.
Of course, they stained and added some features to give it a beautiful finish.
Building the ‘unclimbable’ pet barrier.
20. Build a cheap gate without tools
I get that every one of our gates has involved some kind of construction ability. So I felt it was important to include something that literally required no tools.
Look closely and you’ll see this is just a wire shelf with some zip ties.
This will work great for most small dogs. A big dog will probably barrel right through it however.
Check out how to to build a super easy and cheap gate.
21. Free Standing Pet Barrier
In similar fashion to our previous barrier – but a bit more fancy – this is a free standing barrier that it’s to fold up and move when necessary.
It’s great for small to medium sized dogs, but a big dog might put the gate to the test.
DIY Plans on making this free standing pet barrier.
22. DIY Simple Baby Gate
Nothing complicated here – just another simple baby gate with a nice stained finish. Even with the rounded railing on the right side, they found a clever way to secure a gate latch, and some 90 degree steel L channels to ensure the railing doesn’t break with force.
23. Fabric (Velcro) Pet Barrier
Let’s say you have multiple pets; you have no problem letting the cat roam freely, but the dog needs some segregation. How do you implement automatic traffic control? With this clever fabric panel.
It’s loose enough on the bottom to let your kitties travel, but a larger dog can’t get past.
Build a Velcro fabric pet barrier here.
24. Extra Wide PVC Gate
If the entrance to your stairs is much too wide for a typical store-bought gate, you’ll need something that can reach. PVC comes to the rescue again. For about $20 worth of PVC parts, and an hour of your time, you’ll have something that can span any distance. Minimal construction experience required here, this stuff puts together like Lego.
25. Fabric DIY Stair Gate (No sewing required)
Back with another fabric gate, this one resembling something a little more “Spider web” like. Thankfully, no sewing is required in the making of this barrier. Instead, Casey used a heat activated adhesive. And with the clever use of 4 cord bundler hooks off Amazon, you now have a neat little pet gate.
See how Casey built her barrier here.
26. Professional Looking PVC Gate
What’s so cool about this gate is how pro is looks, but made entirely at home on a small budget. Look closely and you’ll notice the outside ring is PVC, and the bars are actually wooden dowels.
You simply need to drill out some holes along your pipe, fit in the dowels, and snap together your PVC parks. Add a few hinges and brackets to hold everything together and you’re good to go!
FAQs
How do I block an area off my dog? ›
- #1 – Teach Obedience Training Early On.
- #2 – Use a Pet Fence.
- #3 – Use a Scent Deterrent.
- #4 – Use Bumpy Flooring.
- #5 – Train Them With the Command “Out”
- #6 – Designate a Spot for Them.
- #7 – Use External Correction and Reinforcement.
Well, half doors. If you love the look of Dutch doors, you'll love this idea of using half of a door as a baby gate. Kelly simply cut a door in half and used each half as baby gates. They look great in the house, much better than the standard safety gates you can buy.
How tall should a gate be for a dog? ›A dog gate is typically around 20 inches tall for small to medial dogs. For larger dogs who could potentially hop over that height, you're going to want something a few inches taller.
How do you make an indoor dog gate? ›Building a Dog Gate - YouTube
How do I make a PVC gate? ›DIY PVC Pipe Gate with Snap-On Hinge // Part 1 - YouTube
How do you make a dog gate out of cardboard? ›Cut cardboard to fit length – if you are using multiple boxes you may need to Duct tape them together. Stand cardboard up and use flaps to stabilize (you can alternate the direction of each bottom flap for balance). Duct tape the top flaps together to make your gate more sturdy. Cover cardboard in Con-Tact paper.
What smell will keep dogs away? ›Dogs dislike the smell of citrus fruits. These include grapefruit, lemons and even oranges. This is one of the reasons why citrus odors are used in sprays to keep dogs from chewing on items.
How do you use vinegar to keep dogs away? ›You can use vinegar to keep dogs away from your lawn by spraying it around the perimeter of the area you want to be canine-free. Dogs don't like the strong smell of vinegar and thus will be deterred by it.
How do you make a fabric baby gate? ›DIY Baby gate!!! - YouTube
How do you make a rolling baby gate? ›HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN ROLLING BABY GATE - YouTube
How do you make a farm baby gate? ›
How to Build a Farmhouse Baby Gate - YouTube
Can dogs knock down free standing gates? ›As we just mentioned, high energy dogs and large breed dogs can easily topple a freestanding pet gate. No matter the quality or weight, if a dog gate is not properly installed into a wall, it can easily come down.
What's the difference between a dog gate and a baby gate? ›Generally speaking, baby gates tend to consist of the same types of metal, plastic, and other materials found in dog and puppy gates. The main difference between the two is in the overall strength of their designs. In baby gates, for example, materials tend to be much lighter in weight than what's found in puppy gates.
Can you use baby gate for dogs? ›It's also advised to avoid using a baby gate instead of a dog one. A child safety gate may be flimsy and not as sturdy or strong as a dog gate, which means it could collapse, making it unsafe and unsuitable for your dog.
How do you make a pet door? ›Customizing a Doggy Door - DIY Network - YouTube
How do you make a dog gate out of pallets? ›Pallet wood gate for the dog - YouTube
How do I make a small wooden gate? ›How to build a gate - YouTube
How do you make a pipe hinge? ›HOMEMADE HINGES - WELDING - YouTube
Can you use PVC pipe for fencing? ›Create a sturdy, maintenance-free fence made from PVC pipe. PVC pipe fencing can be used outdoors around a garden, yard or walkway.
How do you make a PVC gate latch? ›DIY PVC Latch, great for Doors and Windows on ... - YouTube
What can you make out of cardboard for dogs? ›
How to Make a Puppy Dog from Cardboard Box - YouTube
How do you gate off a large area? ›Use two Retract-A-Gates to close off wide areas - YouTube
How do you stop a dog from getting a hallway? ›The humble baby gate is one of the best options for a dog barrier. Baby gates can be installed in doorways or across hallways so your dog can't get past them. These gates are usually made of wood or metal and have a latch on the top or side.
What smell do dogs hate the most? ›- Chili Peppers.
- Onions.
- Ground Spices (such as cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, cardamom, mustard, and cayenne pepper)
- Garlic.
- Citrus Fruits (such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits)
- Vinegar.
- Fresh Herbs (such as basil, mint, rosemary, and thyme)
- Alcohol.
Citrus. The citrus smell is arguably the best dog repellent there is. You do not have to do a lot. Simply peel an orange or a lemon next to your dog and you will observe it leaving the spot immediately.
What flavors do dogs hate? ›Taste deterrents take advantage of your pet's dislike of bitter and spicy flavors by using those sensations to discourage chewing. Bitter apple sprays and spicy or hot sprays are commonly used deterrents.
How do I keep my house from smelling like dog? ›- Wash the dog's bed.
- Wash everything else regularly. ...
- Brush smells away. ...
- Check ears and teeth. ...
- Use an air purifier. ...
- Introduce nice smells. ...
- Clean the floors, carpets and upholstery.
- Tackle super-smelly spots.
Spraying undiluted vinegar around the perimeter of the lawn creates a sort of invisible fence that drives off both dogs and cats. A roaming dog will take one sniff of your lawn and turn away, but you should keep reapplying the vinegar on a daily basis.
What is a natural deterrent for dogs? ›Common chili pepper powder sprinkled around the area will help repel all dogs. Ammonia – Dogs are not particularly fond of the smell of ammonia. To our noses, ammonia is strong but to a dog's sensitive nose, ammonia is like a punch in the face.
How do you block cats off the stairs? ›Spray the stairs with a scent that your cat dislikes. Use a commercial cat repellent, or use a cologne or citrus-scented spray. Alternatively, scatter lemon or orange peels on the stairs.
How do you make a pet door? ›
Customizing a Doggy Door - DIY Network - YouTube
What age do you stop using baby gate? ›Install gates in homes with children between 6 months and 2 years of age. If possible, remove the gates when the child turns 2, or when the child has learned to open the gate or climb over it.
How do you make a dog gate out of cardboard? ›Cut cardboard to fit length – if you are using multiple boxes you may need to Duct tape them together. Stand cardboard up and use flaps to stabilize (you can alternate the direction of each bottom flap for balance). Duct tape the top flaps together to make your gate more sturdy. Cover cardboard in Con-Tact paper.
Is there a gate that can keep cats out? ›The Carlson Extra Tall Walk Through Pet Gate with Small Pet Door measures a full 36 inches tall, so it can deter your cat from trying to jump over the gate. It can be adjusted to fit openings from 29 to 36.5 inches wide, meaning it will work with most doorways in your home.
How tall does a cat gate need to be? ›Because cats are known for leaping over the tops of obstacles, height is a crucial consideration. A pet gate that is at least 30 inches tall is the finest option.
How do you cat proof a doorway? ›You can find tacky mats in home products stores. A ScatMat may also work. You may also use smell deterrents to keep the cat away from forbidden doorway zones. Cats dislike citrus smells, so orange or lemon scents sprayed at the bottom of the door may help.
How do you make a dog door screen? ›How to Make a Screen Door Doggy Door - YouTube
How do you make a magnetic dog door? ›DIY Magnetic Dog Door Flap - YouTube
How do you install a doggie door in glass? ›How to Install a Dog Door in a Sliding Glass Door - YouTube
At what age can a child walk up and down stairs? ›By 2 years 7 months – 3 years, children can walk up and down stairs, one foot per step, while holding a rail. On average, by 3 years, children can walk up and down stairs, one foot per step, with no support.
Do you put baby gates at top and bottom of stairs? ›
Gates are particularly important if you have stairs in your house. In children under 2, falls from stairs are a leading cause of emergency department visits. It's ideal to install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs, but the top is the most critical spot.
Are retractable baby gates safe? ›These gates are fitted with screws or are pressure mounted. By just imagining of the child going up the stairs and rolling sends shivers down the spine. Therefore, retractable baby gates are one of the safety tools that you cannot afford to miss in your home.
What can you make out of cardboard for dogs? ›How to Make a Puppy Dog from Cardboard Box - YouTube
How do you make a dog gate out of pallets? ›Pallet wood gate for the dog - YouTube
How do you make a small gate? ›How to build a gate - YouTube