Dog Doors
Posted By Erika on July 8, 2010
Installing a dog door can simplify a dog owner’s life. Not having to get up every few minutes to let a dog in or out is a great convenience. It also makes the dog’s life easier and gives them more freedom to explore their environment.
Dog doors also work well for people who have dogs that primarily live outdoors. If you have a mudroom or laundry room, even a garage, a dog door will give them access to a warm, dry area during cold weather.
Before you start the process of installing a door, there a few things you must consider. The dog’s size and logistics of the door are the two biggest considerations. If your dog is still a puppy, make sure you plan for his full adult size if you don’t want to repeat the process again in a few months.
If you don’t want the dog to have free access to the entire house, you must decide a location that will allow you to control the access. Remember, dogs are not the only thing that can enter through a dog door, especially if you have a large dog. One way of controlling access is to simply install a latch on the dog door. A simple piece of hardware will keep the dog from using it. If you have a large dog door you need to use a method that will allow you to secure the door from human intruders also. There are doors available that allow you to lock them from access in one direction or another.
If you live in a rural area with a lot of wild animals, it’s a good idea to lock the dog door at night. Many people have woken in the night to hear the commotion that is their pet dog or cat in a fight with a wild animal such as a raccoon taking place in the living room.
The dog door will see a lot of use. Therefore you should invest in the highest quality materials you can afford. Cheap materials will not hold up for long to the constant comings and goings of an active dog. Better materials also allow you to make the door more weatherproof, which will help you save energy. Dog doors can be quite drafty in the winter if not properly constructed and insulated.
If your dog is going to have free reign to the outdoors, make sure that he won’t face dangers once outside alone. If you live in a city or town, this may mean having a secure fence surrounding the house. No one wants to give their pet freedom like this if it means they face the danger of getting hit by a car on the street.