Puppies and babies -
sometimes hard to tell who is harder to keep track of. Having
"experienced" both, I'd say puppies! We do our best to plan ahead,
think of every possible situation before it happens, and endeavour to
keep them safe. However, even in the best of circumstances, accidents
can happen.
Baby gates, also known as safety gates, are commonly used to confine
puppies (and babies!) to "safe" areas in the home or in the case of
potty-breaking puppies, non-carpeted areas. In this article, Carol
Kufner, Canine Graphic Artist and breeder of German Shepherds, shares a
recent experience with a puppy and a baby gate so that others may
benefit and learn from the tragic experience.
Hi All:
I feel I must warn you all of a potential doggie danger.
On Sunday, June 3rd, I received a phone call from one of my puppy
buyers.
In tears this wonderful caring man told me of how he and his wife went
out for an hour on Saturday evening and left their puppy "Max" in the
kitchen. They had puppy proofed the entire kitchen OR SO THEY THOUGHT.
They had put up one of those child gates to block Max from getting out
of the kitchen. The wooden ones that open and close like an accordion.
They came home to find that little 9-week-old Max had strangled when
his head became lodged in one of the openings in the gate. Between him
crying, his wife crying and now me crying, all this man could manage to
get out was "I'm sorry; I'm sorry. He was a wonderful puppy; it's my
fault."
Obviously, this was not his fault; it was an accident, and I told him
so as I tried to console him. This is a very very sad tale that should
be told to anyone who uses this type of gate or is thinking of
purchasing this type of gate to contain their puppy or even small dog.
Any dog, who could get his head lodged in the openings.
In memory of little MAX, please, please, please, spread the word on
the dangers of certain child gates.
Carol Kufner