whats best way to cover these gaps in my gate?

truewraith121

hi,

im trying to find something to cover the gaps in my gate to stop my dogs from barking everytime they see someone walk past and was hoping there was maybe some type of tape that i could paint over which might be a no go but instead of having to get panels cut for it? any ideas please?

thanks very much in advance for any advice

victor2

Why not get a sheet of hardboard or two? Cut it to fit the area you want to block then paint it and screw it into place. I don't see any type of tape working at all.

FreeBear

victor2 said: Why not get a sheet of hardboard or two?

Hardboard is no good for exterior use. Once it gets wet, it will just swell and fall apart. Some thin strips of timber (say 50x12mm) nailed/screwed to the outside of the gate and painted with the same colour preservative would work.

Alderbank

Hardboard has no weather resistance and would soon turn to pulp.

However I don't think covering the gaps would work.

Dogs, all dogs, have relatively poor sight and much better hearing and sense of smell. Even with no gaps they will be just as aware of anyone walking past, unfortunately.
Dogs have evolved to guard their owner's property and they see people advancing on the property as a threat of attack. They bark and to their great delight the attacker goes away (of course we know the 'attacker' simply walks past) but in their minds they have done a good job in scaring off an attack on you.

The only thing that works is to train them that you don't want them to bark but that is much easier said than done, especially with feisty dogs like my miniature schnauzers!

Alter_ego

Covering the  gate is unlikely to stop dogs barking. They will still hear/smell people passing

theoretica

What about something quick, easy and temporary as an experiment to see if it stops the dogs barking?  Cardboard or something would probably last long enough to see if the project is worthwhile.

Emmia

You could add some of the fake hedging/ivy to it, that would block the gaps off - more attractive / weatherproof than hardboard 

https://www.theoutdoorlook.co.uk/product/artificial-hedges-amazon/

Bendy_House

Any smelly deterrents that could be sprayed on the gate that would discourage t'dawgs hanging around there in the first place, and also disguise passing human smells? Like 'spider stop' - it's clovy or peppery or summat.

Perhaps initially combined with Theo's idea of a temp shield such as cardboard - if also sprayed, the dogs will wonder "what's the point - can't see nuffink, and it stinks... ". After a week, the spray itself might be enough to deter.

Maybe. 

Woolsery

Alter_ego said:

Covering the  gate is unlikely to stop dogs barking. They will still hear/smell people passing

Yes, but....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Muffs-DDR337-Hearing-Protection-Medium/dp/B002CZQ1T0   

That just leaves smelling. What about one of those things they use in posh old people's homes that automatically squirt a perfume when people pass by?

Oh, hang on, is this MSE?

Ah, well, there's hardboard.....or even a bit of outdoor ply. 

Mistral001

Alter_ego said:

Covering the  gate is unlikely to stop dogs barking. They will still hear/smell people passing

Totally agree with this.  However, if the dogs cannot be seen from passers-by at least closing up the gaps will take away much of the fear factor.  I suggest a thin flat sheet of galvanised steel on the outside or sheets of black polythene cut to fit in between the horizontal and diagonal boards on the inside and stapled onto the vertical boards