How to add non-permanent barriers for puppy on a deck?

[warrenk]

Hi all,

I just moved into a new rental with a puppy and the outdoor deck is a bit high and I don’t want the pup falling off so I wanted to see if any one had any ideas for a temporary barrier or suggestions on non-permanent footing options for some railing. I’m happy to do some minor construction work as well.

The top and sides of the deck have decking panels with a slight gap (as shown in the photos).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Top:

Side:

[Jason]

Welcome to Bunnings Workshop @warrenk. We're pleased to have you join us. 

You might like to share some wider shots to give members a better idea of what you are working with.

Would you consider a dog playpen?

Jason

[warrenk]

Thanks Jason. Here’s a couple more wider shots.

I had considered a dog play pen but I’m hoping to put a little ramp in where the stairs are so they can go down to the toilet eventually so the pen my be a little restriction (although maybe I can set it up to cut off part of the deck leading to the stairs).

[EricL]

Hello @warrenk 

Thanks for sharing those photos of your deck. I propose installing 1200 x 396mm 7mm Plywood Pine Premium BC Grade all around the edge of the deck. This will serve as a deterrent or limiter for the pup. They will see that this is as far as they can go without running into a barrier. The thing about pups is that they grow so fast, eventually the pup will be taller than the barrier and they will simply jump over it.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @warrenk 

At the risk of pointing you to a retailer outside of Bunnings, if you Google "Baby Fences" there is quite a range of very affordable temporary and flexible solutions online. This is just one that would work. It doesn't need to be exact in length because you can concertina each panels as required.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Evening @warrenk 

Mmmm You havnt mentioned the type of doggo you have Just think how big the doggo may get really.

My first thought was some pot plants in terracotta pots to line the edge, and then I thought of this type of edgeing Jack Matrix 1800 x 900 x 6mm Charcoal Ferns Screen Panel  You dont mention that it needs to be secure so I havnt thought of a gate for the area, mainly just an edge so they dont take a walk on the wild side For the pot plants Pots plastic I went with the cheaper plastic ones but terracotta could be good as well (tho plants do tend to dry out a bit. Mainly it was something to give "body" to the edge so the doggo dosnt try and go straight through

You could screw some place holders  (think 40mm wide by say 150mm long pieces of timber ) through and into the side of your deck to hold the horizontal screen in place, It would only leave a small non noticable hole once removed. Like big timber washers.

Dave

[warrenk]

Thanks for the input @EricL @Dave-1 @Nailbag. I’ll have a think about the different options you’ve suggested. My puppy is an Australian Cobberdog and will be about the size of a Labrador when fully grown. At the moment I just want to deter him from going over the side of the deck so maybe some pot will do the trick.