The 4 Best Indoor Dog Fences
They say that good fences make good neighbors. But what if you need a fence inside the house? Indoor dog fences help keep our furry friends away from parts of the house that are off-limits, which is especially important when there's nobody home to supervise them. While we'd like to allow them to roam free, a good indoor fence may be the only thing preventing Lady from tearing up those couch cushions, or Charlie from chowing down on that stash of chocolate treats hidden in the kitchen. If training and trust aren't enough, take a look at our four favorite indoor dog fences.
Richell 3-in-1 Convertible Elite
Real Life Tetris
Arguably the most popular gated unit on the market, the Richell 3-in-1 Convertible Elite can be used as a freestanding gate, a room divider, or as a rectangular play pen. With a slightly rustic charm, its wooden design is quite beautiful, designed to naturally blend in with your home’s decor. What we really like about it is that its panels and hinges are removable, so you can add or subtract sections to fit the needs of the space you’re fitting it to. This means you can daisy-chain new panels (purchased separately) to the fence to make it really long. This would get expensive, though, and if you know from the get-go that you’ll need a long gate, you’re better off buying a model that’s designed specifically for that. Still, it’s good to know that if you buy this one, you can always lengthen it one panel at a time, if need be. Another handy feature is its unlockable gate, which allows you to walk through it without having to move the entire unit.
Pros:
- Folds up neatly when not in use
- Installation is very simple
- Also available in a smaller 4-panel configuration
- Instruction manual is well written
Cons:
- Quite expensive
Regalo 192 Super Wide
Wide Enough for Ya?
Though the the Regalo 192 is designed primarily with children over 24 months in mind, it also serves quite well for pets, and has subsequently become popular in the industry for both applications. It boasts a strong, all-steel frame construction, a portable design, and an included four-pack of wall mounts to help install it. Whether you decide to affix it to an angled opening, a doorway, at the bottom of a stairwell, or simply between two wide gaps, you’ll find it easy to affix. It’s pretty easy to uninstall it when you don’t want to use it, too, and it folds flat for storage.
Pros:
- Can also be converted into a play yard
- PVC-free
- 90-day limited manufacturer’s warranty
Cons:
- Not the most visually appealing model
- Top latch is shifty
Richell Deluxe Freestanding
It's Time We Set Some Boundaries
If you’ve ever seen The Sandlot, the association between dogs and fences may conjure up the image of Hercules, a.k.a. the Beast, leaping over an enormous wooden fence in hot pursuit of Benny the Jet Rodriguez, who has just snatched a baseball from the terrifying dog’s territory. Well, we can’t imagine the Richell Deluxe standing a chance against a quasi-mythical canine like Hercules, but standing at 36 inches of height, it should be able to keep all but the most gargantuan of dogs in check.
Designed for medium-to-large breeds, this one includes a walk-through door, side panels for support, and a beautiful hardwood construction. While it’s pretty straightforward in design and implementation, we think it’s worth noting that the support panels may not be a boon, but in fact could be an annoyance. Because of the fence’s height, the unit has a tendency to shake a little bit when your dog puts too much weight on it. The wooden supports are supposed to mitigate this, but because they’re so skinny, they don’t handle the weight as well as you’d hope. Still, if you don’t mind it shaking a little bit, it’s an great unit overall.
Pros:
- Very good looking
- Easy to set up and move
Cons:
- Closing mechanism could be more secure
- Cornered feet are easy to trip over
- Quite costly
Carlson Extra Wide Walk Through
We Can Coexist
If your house is crawling with pets of all kinds, you’ll appreciate the clever design of Carlson’s Extra Wide Walk-Through fence. It’s designed with a tiny pet door in the middle that small pets, like cats, can manage to nudge open. Because the door is only 8 x 8 inches, larger animals won’t be able to squeeze through, and the gate will keep them partitioned.
Its intended use is for doorways and stairwells. To fit these spaces, it can expand from 29″ to 36.5″. It’s fastened with a pressure-mount design that requires no tools to set up, and it’s gentle on your walls, too. It’s not very big, but this can actually be a positive if you’re only looking to use it for narrow spaces. It’s easy to pack up and won’t take up much room in storage. Surprisingly, it’s really well-constructed, especially considering the price. At its current cost, it’s a great value.
Pros:
- Latch is sturdy and reliable
- No horizontal bars for dog to climb on
- Paint coat lasts a long time
Cons:
- Will only work if your dog is medium to large
- Gate only opens 1 way
- Narrow when fully open
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a dog fence?
Dogs are notoriously mischievous. While we usually love them all the more for their seemingly-innocent naughtiness, sometimes limitations need to be set for both parties’ sakes. A dog fence lets you keep your pooch away from things that may harm her and from things she may harm. Maybe you’re having visitors over, or a repairman is working in one section of the house. Rather than carry your dog around or lock her in a room haphazardly, you can confine her to an area of your choosing for a short time.
How do I choose the correct dog fence for my home?
There are an enormous amount of factors that can influence your decision, but to simplify the matter, focus on the fence’s sturdiness, size, and functionality. Other things like the fence’s appearance or the features it offers will clearly play a role here, but when we get down to brass tacks, the factors that make the fence, well, a fence, are most essential.
Will my dog get lonely if I leave her fenced off all day?
Of course. Dogs feel complex emotions, and that includes loneliness and boredom. Separation anxiety is a well-documented phenomenon that can have a serious effect on a dog’s well-being. Careful that you don’t allow one of these fences to put too much emotional distance between you and your furry friend. We know that you have your boundaries, and sometimes, you need to take care of yourself, too. That’s okay. Just use the fence responsibly, and show Charlie and Lady the love they deserve once the fence comes down.
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