Need help containing my dog

Have you thought about keeping him in a crate inside when you can't supervise him?  He is so small he wouldn't need a big crate, just big enough for him to lay down in and to turn around in.  I think that would be a better option instead of leaving him outside unsupervised where he can get himself into trouble or hurt himself.

With a dog so small I would be worried about owles and other bird of pray swooping down and carring him away. I would suggest getting a kennel with a cover that you can put in your yard. They can be bought at almost any hardwear store and come in a kit that has everything you need to put it together.

I have another post attached to the posts that hold the gate so that there is no space.  see if that helps you out...  if you need me to explain further let me know and I can take a picture so you can see

heck I wouln't just worry about owls I'd worry about neighborhood cats with a dog that size! I have 2 cats that are more than 2x his weight!!! They are inside only but imagine that little guy against a 13 pound cat with claws. Ouch

ORIGINAL: NLW

I have a minpin/toy poodle mix (he's less than 5 lbs and almost a year old) that I am trying to contain in my yard unsupervised.  I have 2 chain link gates and he slips between the gates and the posts (gates have rounded corners).  Do you have any suggestions as to how I might modify the gates in order to contain him safely?
Any help would be appreciated.
Nanci

Sorry I have no ideas on containment but thought I'd commiserate. Milo, my ridgeback found a mini pin once and I brought him home. The fence that contained my dogs he just walked through! I feel you! The only thing I would suggest is erecting an ex-pen or some other kind of run in which he would go when he's in the yard instead of having the entire yard?



Paula

We attatched the ex-pen around the gate to the fence,not only can the little dogs not get through but now i have a "double door" at the gate so nobody can slip out accidentally when the gate is opened.

I would also be pretty scared to leave such a small dog out in the yard by himself, when you aren't there. Especially if he can get out, or something might happen to him! I would recommend getting one of the outdoor kennels if you want him outside, like someone already said, or putting him in a crate inside while you're gone. I'd feel much better to know the dog is safely secured.[]

Nanci,
 
Welcome to the forum.
 
Be assured, your dog CAN be contained.  The wisdom of leaving such a small dog in your yard unsupervised, I will leave to you to decide.
 
I am trying to visualize your problem.  I assume, from your description, that you have TWO gates that pivot from the outside of each gate and come together in the middle?  Is your dog slipping between the gates or to the outside of the gate where it pivots?

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.  To clarify, by "unsupervised" I mean to let them (I have his mother too but she's big enough not to get through the spaces between the gate and the posts) out to go potty  and to run for a bit in the morning and evenings and just to enjoy being outside and playing in the grass.  I certainally don't leave out unsupervised very long but it only takes a moment to find him in the neighbors yard or in the street.  I don't worry about the cats, but do worry about birds of prey and do keep a tight eye on them both.  They like to be out while I'm doing yard work and on weekends but I need to be able to contain them safely.  The point is to safely give them time outside to play and just be dogs.  I do have a pen set up out back that they use when I'm in the back yard (its attached to the garage in front of the dog door so they can come and go as they please) but its on rock in my driveway and playpen size (maybe10 square feet) and not large enough for them to run.  My front yard is larger (50 X 30) to allow for more exercise and fun.
 
What is an ex-pen?  Heidandseek, if you would be so kind as to post pics of your set up I'd be grateful.  I get the feeling you have the clearest idea of my problem.  I'll post pics if this would help, let me take some tonight and I'll get them posted.
 
Thanks all for your suggestions.
Nanci

I used to have big gaps b/w the chain link fence in my old house.  I got some of those hedge things that you stick into the ground that are like a small fence for around a garden or something.  I took those and used some zipties and attached them to the fence to cover any holes that my min pin could get through.  They have them in the garden department at Home Depot.  Mine never got out once I did this.  It may not be the prettiest but I knew she was safe in our backyard to rome around while we were outside working and stuff.