Today's article features one product and three handy solutions it provides.
Some years ago, I moved into a home that already had gorgeous fencing in the backyard. The problem was the spacing between the vertical metal bars was wide enough for all three of my toy breed dogs to slip through. Until some wire could be added to the lower portion of the fence, I needed a quick solution. It was then I discovered how useful puppy bumpers could be.
A client had a similar experience recently with her little dog slipping through the pool fencing. The puppy bumper works beautifully for Lucy, too!
[Thanks to Carla C., Brewster, NY, for sharing this photo of her adorable shih tzu / bichon mixes]
Imagine how convenient it'd be to have this option if you were visiting at a friend's home, or vacationing, and the spacing of the fence was too wide.
I will warn you, however, that some dogs are able to outwit the bumper. My male miniature pinscher learned how to turn his head and the bumper to the side and then slip the bumper through the fence bars sideways! What a clever stinker.
Here you see one of my pups sporting two puppy bumpers of varying size.
Doubling up like this kept her from being able to access a wound site, thus allowing it time to heal. The bumpers are soft, lightweight, and easy to don. Most dogs accept wearing one without any fuss at all.
Another client had a medium-sized dog and a cat. She purchased a pet gate with a small cat door at the base, hoping to provide the cat access to a dog-free zone that included her litter box. Astoundingly, the dog was able to squeeeeeeze her body through that tiny cat door! But a puppy bumper solved that issue. The bumper could even be attached to the opening of the cat's door to reduce the size.
So there you have it. I'm a big fan of simple, inexpensive solutions. :-)
Stay warm and well!
Virginia Dare is a certified dog trainer & behavior counselor with decades of experience. Her business offers live video consultations anywhere in the US for training and behavior help, along with pre- and post-arrival counseling for new puppies.
She also provides in-home, private lessons and behavior consultations in northern Fairfield and Westchester counties, western New Haven county, Putnam and southern Dutchess counties.
Please visit www.NorthStarCanines.com/services to learn more, or contact me at 804.784.0120
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