# Dog/child proofing a tricky cabinet **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 27, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030 "2015-01-27T18:04:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/1 "2015-01-27T18:04:50Z")
So in our kitchen we have a cabinet with our trash cans in it. [It’s the lower right one in this photo.](http://imgur.com/5O9kCMv) As you can see, right above it is a drawer, and to the left of it is another cabinet door. The trouble is that our dogs are constantly getting into it and spreading the trash around. We need some way to fasten this cabinet shut. I figure there has to be some piece of childproofing hardware that can fasten that door shut and make it hard to open, but everything I’ve found assumes that there’s a fixed surface immediately above or to the side of the door to attach to, and thus none of them seem to work for this particular case. Anyone have any suggestions? thanks! ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/2 "2015-01-27T18:34:49Z")
Looks like you can do this with the usual childproofing latches, but you may need to put the base on a small block of wood to compensate for the “frameless” design of the cabinetry. I’m assuming there is some division between the two cabinets - there pretty much has to be something to hold the left-side door’s hinges. Looks like [this one](http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=55529946&cagpspn=plab_20311898&camp=PLAPPCG-_-PID20311898:BRUS&eESource=CAPLA_DF:55529946:TRUS) is designed for frameless applications, no idea how well or how long they stay self-adhesive, but screws are included to screw them on permanently. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/3 "2015-01-27T18:39:30Z")
There are a variety of child safety clips which go on the inside of cabinets and prevent it from opening all the way. For example, [this one](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Safety-1st-48390-Wide-Grip-Latch-14-Pack/16424016). You open the cabinet a small amount and then you can release the latch to open it the rest of the way. We had to do the same thing because our dogs were also getting into the trash in the cabinet. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/4 "2015-01-27T18:46:32Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > So in our kitchen we have a cabinet with our trash cans in it. [It’s the lower right one in this photo.](http://imgur.com/5O9kCMv) > > As you can see, right above it is a drawer, and to the left of it is another cabinet door. The trouble is that our dogs are constantly getting into it and spreading the trash around. We need some way to fasten this cabinet shut. I figure there has to be some piece of childproofing hardware that can fasten that door shut and make it hard to open, but everything I’ve found assumes that there’s a fixed surface immediately above or to the side of the door to attach to, and thus none of them seem to work for this particular case. > > Anyone have any suggestions? > > thanks! I don’t know what to do long-term, but while you figure it out, as a temporary “fix,” slide something through the handle on the tall cabinet to the left that then angles down and through the handle of the cabinet on the right. I used to have a little broom, for example, that would have worked there. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/5 "2015-01-27T18:48:46Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > There are a variety of child safety clips which go on the inside of cabinets and prevent it from opening all the way. For example, [this one](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Safety-1st-48390-Wide-Grip-Latch-14-Pack/16424016). You open the cabinet a small amount and then you can release the latch to open it the rest of the way. We had to do the same thing because our dogs were also getting into the trash in the cabinet. I’m assuming that is what the OP has seen, but doesn’t see how it will work on his cabinets being that there’s nothing for it to latch on to above. There’s just a drawer rail. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/6 "2015-01-27T19:08:16Z")
Even though there is a cabinet door to the left, I would think there is a fixed divider between those two cabinets. You could screw a block of wood or bracket to that divider for the latch to catch on that. You’ll have to position it properly so that it won’t interfere when the left cabinet door opens. Affix an [L-shaped bracket](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-1-1-2-in-Zinc-Plated-Corner-Braces-4-Pack-15304/202033892) to the vertical divider between the cabinets so that the horizontal end is below the drawer. The clip can then catch on the bracket. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/7 "2015-01-27T19:19:19Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I don’t know what to do long-term, but while you figure it out, as a temporary “fix,” slide something through the handle on the tall cabinet to the left that then angles down and through the handle of the cabinet on the right. I used to have a little broom, for example, that would have worked there. Yeah, we actually did exactly that a few times, but it’s a big hassle. Most of the suggestions people have posted won’t work because there is nothing fixed above the cabinet door to attach to. There’s no fixed bottom below the drawer above. Some kind of L-shaped clamp might work, to basically improvise in a bit of fixed roof above the door. In the meantime, when we remember, we just put a chair in front of the door, but the point is to get something we don’t have to remember. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/8 "2015-01-27T19:55:09Z")
Put your garbage in a different cabinet? ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/9 "2015-01-27T20:03:06Z")
A picture of the inside framing might help. Where are the taller door’s hinges mounted? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/10 "2015-01-27T20:04:15Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > In the meantime, when we remember, we just put a chair in front of the door, but the point is to get something we don’t have to remember. My garbage is under my sink. When my ex was still living with me, she kept a [step stool](http://www.rubbermaid.com/Assets/images/Product/4b40-large.jpg) around the kitchen to get to the higher shelves. We quickly found that if we kept in in front of the undersink cabinets, it kept the dogs out of the garbage. 10 years later and it’s still there. It’s nice because it’s small/light enough that I can just move it around the kitchen with my foot, but the dogs can’t get the cabinet doors open with it there. In fact, after it was there for a few months I think they stopped trying. I have to imagine, if they really wanted to, if the garbage was full of meat or cheese or something, they could get it out of the way, but they don’t even bother anymore (and it has food in it all the time). I think they learned they can’t get into it and they stopped trying. Anyways, that’s my suggestion, toss a step stool in front of it. Ugly, but it works. Also, you could look into getting one of those magnetic latches set the part it connects to on the left wall. Maybe? I’ve never looked at them too closely, I don’t know quite how they attach to the cabinet and lock to each other. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/11 "2015-01-27T20:15:03Z")
Actually, instead of buying an L-bracket, you may be able to just use one of the child clips instead for that purpose. They usually come in multi-packs. Screw one clip to the divider between the cabinets so it extends horizontally underneath the drawer. Then attach the other one to the trash door so that it latches underneath the other clip. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/12 "2015-01-27T20:43:26Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > There are a variety of child safety clips which go on the inside of cabinets and prevent it from opening all the way. For example, [this one](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Safety-1st-48390-Wide-Grip-Latch-14-Pack/16424016). You open the cabinet a small amount and then you can release the latch to open it the rest of the way. We had to do the same thing because our dogs were also getting into the trash in the cabinet. This is what to use, but you don’t attack the latching block above the cabinet, you attach it to the sidewall, turn the two pieces 90 degrees. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/13 "2015-01-27T21:10:55Z")
What does the bottom of the drawer’s face look like? Does it have a lip? Assuming it has, it seems that a plate bolted to the upper left, back side of the cabinet’s door, that extended up behind the lip of the drawer face, would prevent the cabinet door from opening, unless the drawer were open. You may have to add a nylon skid plate to the back of the drawer face’s lip to prevent premature wear? You would have to open the drawer before you could open cabinet. How smart is your dog? ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/14 "2015-01-28T04:13:03Z")
Thanks for all the advice and interest! [Here’s a shot from below the drawer.](http://imgur.com/iES659r) There’s basically nothing at all above the cabinet, so it would need to be something that fastened to the left side. As I recall from my previous attempt to resolve this, the latches and stuff are usually designed for being above a swinging door, not to the side. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/15 "2015-01-28T04:40:00Z")
I don’t see any reason why a spring-loaded latch wouldn’t work just mounted sideways. [I’m linking this one from Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/KidCo-Spring-Action-Cabinet-4-pack/dp/B000YIX27Q/ref=pd_sbs_ba_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0R314TY1XQ4096XDZ07K) just to show there’s a review picture with it mounted sideways. Not sure if one this short would work, but there are lots of others out there. Just using this one for the pics. I would think you would be able to pull the handle with your middle finger and release the latch with your thumb. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/16 "2015-01-28T07:27:15Z")
Mount one or more neodymium magnets to door and floor: See: [K&J Magnetics: Plastic/Rubber Coated](http://www.kjmagnetics.com/products.asp?cat=164) as a start ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/17 "2015-01-28T10:02:26Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > the latches and stuff are usually designed for being above a swinging door, not to the side. They work from the side, I did three cabinets this way. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2015, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/18 "2015-01-29T18:55:37Z")
I’ve gotten some magnets from Home Depot, we’ll give that a shot. Thanks for everyone’s advice! ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-child-proofing-a-tricky-cabinet/711030/19 "2015-01-29T20:16:26Z")
Just to be clear, when I said magnets, I meant the child proof locks that you unlock with a magnetic ‘key’. [Something](http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server3900/z6ck3o/products/320/images/420/lg_s3362_2__79313.1407457275.600.550.jpg?c=2) [like](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81zgOHx2cAL._SY355_.jpg) [this](http://www.toysrus.com/graphics/tru_prod_images/Safety-1st-8-Lock-Complete--pTRU1-8615530dt.jpg). And mount it sideways so it latches to the left instead of the underside of the drawer. Though, in order to clear the other cabinet door, it might have to be mounted back further and the part you mount on the door would have to be set on a block of wood. If you do that, you’d likely have to get a stronger magnet (like a neodymium magnet) to trigger it. Though I’d test it before I closed the door.