Pampered Dog Blog

If you’re looking for a pet dog door, you should know how that installation can affect the security of your home. Dog doors of the traditional variety, often just a frame under a door or on a wall, are often just plastic flaps. Supposing sturdier materials are used in higher quality flaps, it’s still an extra egress for you to worry about. Any responsible dog owner should take the following seriously when choosing a pet dog door.

Size is crucial. Don’t just get any doggie door, there’s a height to consider. One problem with having big dogs is the corresponding dog door size – if it fits them, it will also fit a smaller person. That smaller person could be your child, someone else’s, or a thief. You don’t want your children or someone else’s to get stuck, and possibly injured that way. You will also have to worry about other animals coming in and out of your home – via that dog door. If you can at least restrict the height to that of your dog, you can probably limit intruders.

Where to place it. Installing your dog door on your front door might sound convenient, especially when it opens into a fenced front yard – but that also risks announcing to passersby that there’s a smaller door that might be explored by thieves. Many dog owners choose to install their pet doors on their backdoor, which usually leads to a secure backyard. Or to any other house door beside your front entrance. The last thing you want is to give thieves a clue on where to start testing entry.

The type of pet door your need. Traditional flap-type doors come also in versions where the door is made of harder plastic. There are also several lock settings to choose from. The door can be set to swing open, outwards, or inwards; or just one direction, and then gets locked. One side setting means when your dog gets in, or out, that’s it. This lock setting could lock your pet inside or outside your home – your pet will be safe inside, but oversights happen and it could be left outside, in the cold, overnight. Although an electronic /automatic pet dog door is an effective answer, it is more expensive. Your dog wears a specially equipped collar, one that the door senses when the dog is near; the door, consequently, opens only when the dog is near. Having a doggie door is a great benefit for both owner and pet – you won’t have to worry about accidental potty incidents (should your dog be kept inside the house for too long), and the dog can feel free to come and go as it pleases.