We find that "whatever works"! Personally, we prefer an X-pen ... it's extremely portable and you can make it whatever size or shape your space requires. Since we travel we find it to be really easy to take along and we keep either a tarp or thick shower curtain with it and put that down first and then set the pen up on top of it. It protects from spills and "accidents" as well as keeps Toto off unfamiliar surfaces! You never know what's been on a hotel floor before you got there! The only time we lock the gate is if we aren't there to supervise her and we always know she is safe and comfortable with her bed, water/food, wee wee pad, toys, etc. right there for her. She is so small she has never tried to "escape" and she also uses it for her "safe" place if we have visitors that she doesn't want to interact with! If she is in there it's strictly "hands off"! Works for her ... works for us!
