How to make barrier to stop dog getting on kitchen bench?

Question

Hi Everyone,

I am needing to make a barrier on the edge of my kitchen bench to stop my dog (little West Highland Terrier) from walking on my kitchen bench. I have a built in bench seat that rests up against the kitchen bench and every morning i come into the kitchen and see her little foot prints on the bench. There is never any food left out, it is now getting annoying having to clean her footprints off every morning before we can make breakfast.

The benchtop is stone, so not wanting to drill anything on it.  I am only wanting something about 20mm high to put on the edge of the bench to prevent her climbing on it. Please help.

R4addZ · Answer

Hi @princess011077

There is an overhang on the worktop so my suggestion is to seek out your local men's shed and have them make something up for you (they live for jobs like this) My suggestion is to get them to make some blocks of wood with a cutout in the edge that is slightly larger than the thickness and depth of your counter overhang and then line the cutout with self adhesive rubber or felt so that you can push the blocks onto the edge. You could then fix a screen sheet along these push on blocks so that you can put it in place each night. Or use perspex sheeting for something you can leave in place for a while till your four legged friend gets the hint

Dave-1 · Answer

Good Evening @princess011077

:) heheheheh doggo's be doggo's.

A few things come to mind so will list the ideas -

* I was thinking of a wider flat base you can place out at night with the bird deterrent spikes attached to it. The wide base is to stop your doggo from pushing past it. Jack 250 x 110 x 70mm Stainless Steel Pest Control Bird Spike attached to 140 x 19mm 1.8m DAR Pine Premium - 1.8m (Id use this last as it seems hard on the doggo but mainly because it would be a paint putting it out every night.
* Aluminium foil spread out over the counter. Not sure how effective but have seen videos of cats not liking it.
* Cheap contact with the sticky side up. I like this idea as a deterent that you can reduce the width over time so the doggo can till smell it even if its just a narrow strip on the edge, eventually removing it altogether.
* Peppermint scent rubbed over the bench top. (Dont think ogs like the smell)
* Sunlite 8 1.2 x 0.61m Clear Twinwall Polycarbonate Sheet - 1200mm. With this you cut it down so its in 250mm strips, Then glue the strips so they form  L shape. This you can place on your bench to give a raised edge. I like this the most as its the least harm and the easiest to move. You could even try the peppermint or chilli :o spread along the top surface. If the doggo pushes it then some rubber mats (place mat type deal) glued to the base will stop it.

Dave

EricL · Answer

Hello @princess011077

Thank you for sharing your question about your benchtop. I propose looking at using

https://www.bunnings.com.au/20-x-12mm-2-4m-eucalyptus-grandis-dressed-board_p0497528

or similar. I suggest painting it with a

https://www.bunnings.com.au/cabot-s-250ml-gloss-water-based-cabothane-clear-polyurethane_p1520401

. I recommend using

https://www.bunnings.com.au/sika-300ml-light-grey-no49-davco-n-silicone-neutral-cure_p0699897

to attach the timber trim to the edge of the benchtop. The silicone is neutral cure and will not harm the finish of the stone top.

Please note that you'll need to use a

https://www.bunnings.com.au/craftright-18mm-snap-off-knife_p5760321

to cut the silicone off the table if you wish to remove the timber trim. This is the only non-invasive mounting I can think of that will save you from having to drill into the stone top. My only worry is that 20mm might not be enough of a deterrent for your pup from climbing the benchtop.

Let me call on our experienced members @Wharr, @vbeilby52, @Masheen, @Dave-1 and @R4addZ for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric