Our first submission is by Clinton & Linda Crook of Canada.

(Alorpok) Luke, our (currently) 3 1/2 month old Klee Kai is really proving himself to be an escape artist.

As we are both working during the day, we decided we would put up a child gate in the kitchen door while Luke is potty training, and keep him in the kitchen during the day. This way he still has plenty of space, but is not running around messing on the rugs when we can't be around to walk him....in theory.....

Within a week, Luke had figured out how to jump over the 26 inch gate. Attempting to be resourceful, we put 2 heavy file boxes in the doorway, then the gate on top of them to add extra height. After only a few days, Luke decided he was strong enough to push those boxes aside and get out. We tried to make the boxes heavier by placing heavy tool boxes on them, then the gate on top...again our 10 pound puppy managed to push the boxes aside, while standing on a linoleum floor (no gripping surface for his feet)!

We gave in and bought a second child gate to add extra height. This would increase the total height to 52 inches. Within a few days Luke had managed to somehow push down the lower gate, even though it was firmly spring-mounted in the door...so we installed brackets on the lower gate.

We managed a few short weeks where Luke was still in the kitchen when we got home, and there were no shoes being devoured during the day or messes....all seemed to be working fine until....

Yes, you guessed it, I came home one day last week and Luke was standing near the front door waiting for us. I went to check the gates, and they were secure! Luke had managed to climb over a 52 inch gate. Keep in mind he is still only 3 1/2 months old and now weighs a little over 12 pounds. We thought it might have been a one-time thing possibly, until the day Clint put him in the kitchen, went out for 10 minutes, and came back to find Luke out of the kitchen again!!!

We just came back from the store, where we bought our 3rd and final gate. With 3 gates up they will now fill our entire doorway. If he gets out now, we will actually have to install a door!

Thank you guys for getting us started.

If you have a submission please feel free to e-mail me at[email protected] Please include permission to publish what you send.

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