What do I look like, a baby? Our canine compatriots aren’t usually thrilled about finding out that part of your world is a gated community to which they’re denied access. They want to be where you are! They want to investigate every inch of that taboo area. Whatever furniture, guests, or unsupervised portion of the house we want to compartmentalize is suddenly the place they’re just dying to be.
Cats may be dogs’ stereotypical arch enemies, but sometimes the baby gate is a dog’s true nemesis. How desperate are dogs to escape their confines and scratch that gate-inquisitive itch? We rounded up 10 four-legged jail-breakers working out varying tactics for their great escape.
Confronting Your Fear
This poor inmate can’t quite escape his conditioning, since the mere presence of the gate—just laying there—won’t allow him to cross the threshold. Curse that obedience training! Be brave and put one paw in front of the other: you can do it!
Head and Shoulders Below the Rest
This little dog had about 30% of an escape plan worked out, as just about that much of him succeeded in getting through. However, it’s back to the drawing board to figure out the other half of the plan…if the little fella can back out, that is.
Go Ahead…JUMP!
Judge me by my size, do you? Keeping those high jump skills a closely guarded secret proves invaluable for this underestimated little guy.
Copy-Cat
An escape artist is sometimes described as having “cat-like” reflexes and stealth to aid their escape. In this case, it’s just being enough of a contortionist to use the cat door. Cirque du Soleil, eat your heart out.
Spider-Dog, Spider-Dog…
…does whatever a spider-dog can. This little dog’s wall-crawling prowess would make Peter Parker proud. As Uncle Ben said: “With great power comes great responsibility,” and with great fence comes great climb-ability.
One Giant Leap for Dog Kind
Nothing but net! This dog doesn’t even touch the rim, just passes clear over with a swoosh to score an amazing escape. Next, he’ll be jumping the Grand Canyon on a canine-sized motorcycle and leaping through a ring of fire.
The Buddy System
One never knows when a human might be watching, so it’s best to have one set of eyes on the obstacle and the other on potential guards. This criminal team lets one dog work the lock while another keeps watch. All clear…keep going, you’ve got this… just a little more. YES! Now, make a break for it!
Side Show
If the gate proves impassible, seek less direct options. In this case, just use the stair railing on the left those humans didn’t notice was wider than canine shoulders and haunches. Thankfully (for the dog) someone didn’t really think this through.
Ultimate Gate Crasher
This discerning dog decided to put an end to the fence facade once and for all! It’s not just an escape plan, it’s a search and destroy order. Mission accomplished.
The Secret (and Dog) Is Out
Our final four-legged fence-champion demonstrates ingenuity for their entreating human host. Is this wise? Perhaps showing how smart they are will do away with this whole gate idea entirely. Time will tell.
For those who leave the house assuming your best friend waits patiently for your return within baby gate cordoned confines, reconsider: they might just be swinging, jumping, tunneling or contorting their way into untold mischief (and returning innocently to their “cell” when they hear you on the doorstep).
You might need to install a hidden camera to find out for certain.
Travel plans? Next time you leave town, find a dog sitter who’ll treat your dog like family. Rover’s got you covered with loving dog sitters across the U.S. including Houston, Tampa, Portland, Sacramento, and your city.
