Advice needed on puppy proofing

[Molly3827]

Hello

I would appreciate some ideas on how to make my piggy cage more puppy proof. The photo is my setup. It’s at the top of our stairs one side is the wall and other the side rail.

They have a 4 by 2 c and c cage. There’s two of them living there. I have a dog, she’s a big dog and she’s a little older and not overly botherd by Norma and Olive, so babygate works fine to stop her from getting into their cage.

We are puppy sitting a Hungarian visla who is completely crazy and can jump really high but also fit through gaps. We have only ever looked after him once before during the day so we kept him down stairs and had a large bit of corex resting on the gate as I’m pretty sure he could just the stair gate if he wanted.

We will be looking after him more often and overnight so would like a solution we can use when he stays. I thought a lid we could put onto the cage just when he stays but don’t know how sucure they are especially as he’s getting bigger. I do like the cage open topped as we can reach in, chat to them and see them a lot easier that if it was lidded of.

 

[sport_billy]

Can you stop the dog from going up the stairs all together?

 

[Molly3827]

Can you stop the dog from going up the stairs all together?

Yeah that is one option I’m not sure how he’d be, he likes to be with people and tends to wine when not. Apparently, the breed of dog is known to be a people’s dog. My dog is a similar type of breed is very much like that to she hates being shut anywhere. So maybe being shut down overnight might prevent anyone in the house sleeping

 

[cicmic]

Not the greatest nor convenient idea, but for my dog (although she doesn't try to go upstairs anymore, if I leave her alone I just want to be sure my pigs are safe so I still secure) I place two chairs on top of the stairs (chair's back facing the stairs). The backs of the chairs are tall and create impression that there's a wall, and they are not light so not easy to move. You obviously have to move them every time you need to use the stairs so it is not very convenient. Maybe even place something heavy on the chairs so in case the dogs tries pushing that they won't be easy to move.
Placing lid on cage would be great too, but I'm not sure grids can take on the weight of the dog if he tries to get to the pigs. But I would like to close the cage too, just in case.

 

[ladymuck83]

thats a tough one if you can't keep the doggie downstairs I would get a metal cage lid made or chicken wire with a frame that goes all around them or maybe a little solid wooden hutch they would be safe in? Ive seen one for pets at home for £30 with the ramp at least if the dog did manage to get in they would be sleeping in that