Doggy Door

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

We are considering installing a doggy storm door. Looking for pros and cons and anyone with words of wisdom or experience to share would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I àmnot sure what you mean by a storm door. I have a dog door on my screen porch. I have to open my foor to the porch except in ideal weather when I can leave it open if I want to. The dogs then can go through the dog door to come and go. I love it. I got it from Hale's Pet Ddoors. The door is great and the company was terrific.
http://www.petdoors.com/manufacturers/hale-pet-door.html?gclid=CjgK...

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

I assume you mean a storm proof dog door with a heavy duty flap so your pup can come and go at will. I would not like to be without one. I like that our dogs and cats have the freedom to access the yard when they want some fresh air or to be able to come in if it starts to rain or get too hot. I feel it gives Yarrow more control over her comfort. For instance when she's getting too warm she can come in and lay on the cool kitchen tile. Also, Yarrow likes to watch the hummingbirds and the occasional helicopter. She's like a little kid.

Also, it means that potty accidents are non-existent. That said, Yarrow does not feel comfortable going poop in her own backyard which I like. We go out to the woods for that purpose and I still pick up after her because I respect the beautiful woodland... and all the wonderful huckleberries!
Overnight and when we leave the house for a few hours, I keep the pets in and lock the doggy door. I do this because I don't want the dogs barking or worse, I would lose my mind if someone opened the gate while I was away.

Our dogs and cats love their pet door. It's Yarrow size because she's the biggest. While she's still a pup I do have to keep checking on her out there to make sure she's not digging but usually she's just chewing on a bone, napping in the grass or studying one of the cats.

[Bonnie and Kona]

We always had a dog door that went into either a back porch or into a dog area under the stairs. It was wonderful for them to be able to come and go outside when they chose. It also meant that if the weather was bad they could dry off before I let them in the rest of the house. I loved it! (We moved a year ago and the new house has a different configuration so no dog door. The dogs can be outside under cover if I don't want them inside or I leave the back door open for them if the weather is nice.)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I would love to have a doggy door and will be interested in what is said on this topic. Our concern is the heat and cold weather coming through. Probably the heat more so. How climate protection do doors offer? Im sure those of you with doggie doors up north would have more insight into this.

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

Just make sure you get a dog door rated for severe weather. Our doggy door is absolutely weather proof. The brand name is PetSafe.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you Deb. I will check it out.

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I would love a doggy door so Ragley could go in and out at will, but unfortunately I don't know that that will ever be an option for us because my little octopusdoodle can still squeeze her little frame IN BETWEEN the bars of our fence!!! Maybe she will eventually bulk up enough where it would be an option...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We have a dog door that is open 24/7. I don't know what a storm door might be because we live in southern California.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Just something to think about...every police officer we have ever known has warned us against them. A great way for a " undesirable" to enter your home. They said a burglar will actually case out homes with doggie doors. Also, raccoons, cats, skunks, opossums and other various animals can/ will enter your home.

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

Anybody who sticks their head through a dog door has to be pretty stupid. All dogs, no matter how friendly, will defend their home. By the way, our dog door is to fit dogs up to 100 pounds and at 140 there's no way I could get through it. As for other animals, I've had dog doors every home I've lived in for the past 15 years and the only unwanted critters were the occasional mouse being smuggled in by one of the cats. I did once have a duck fall down the chimney, but that's it for uninvited animals. My grandsons used to like to come and go through the dog door and they struggled at about 60 - 75 pounds. The worst the dogs did to them was lick their faces as they were trying to get in.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

In another home, we had a cat door. We did have a opossum make himself at home when we were away for the weekend. The cats wanted nothing to do with it. Came home to find him and one huge mess.
Re the dog doors....guess all thieves are not that all that intelligent , as our friends the Detectives and Police Officers sited story after story of break-ins via dog doors. Skinny thieves or larger doors ;)

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

I can just imagine the cats trying to avoid a opossum. Unlike the super cat that recently defended her little boy from the dog attack, most cats couldn't care less about defending their home against intruders.

About the dog door, I make sure it's closed overnight and when we go out. I only thought of doing this for the safety of my pets. I know they're safe in the kitchen where the dogs just sleep while we're out. I guess it's a good practice for home security as well.