Thanks for that about dowell screws, now if I could find out what you call a screw with a lag bolt on one end and a machine bolt on the other I'd be happy.
I suppose your dog won't learn to just pull the gate towards himself and get out? but I'd keep pretty close track of him till you're sure. I know with some farm animals, great elaboration has to be taken with gate latches to keep them from learning how to work them. I'd use carrige bolts going from the gate hinge post to the rail, not lag screws as the pull on them will be in tension which is the weak direction for lag bolts. Tom Fowle
