my sewing room is also my cats room and my hamradio room and computer room so they com and go at will... i have a chain with hook and eye to keep the door cracked so the german shepard doesnt come in as she would like the cat crunchies if i didnt keep her out..... when i am in the room the door is open but the dog know the meaning of stay out lol....while sewing in the dinning room the dog sleeps near by to keep her eye on me the cats wander about helping me sew laying on the bulk of the material etc all is peaceful in the world of my animals