Electronic Doggie Doors

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Hi everyone! Great news! I have a new job! After 25 years with my company I took early retirement at 56 years of age, only because now I have Hattie and can't expect her to travel with me for four months out of the year. She would have had to ride along all day on the road as I went with reps on sales calls, because I certainly wouldn't leave her in the motel. When I got Hattie I had taken a promotion with the promise of no more travel. HAH to that idea!

Anyway, my new job is a newly created position we are molding for the company as we go, at a local wireless cell phone company. They have 13 locations with some as far away as three hours from home. My new job is sales trainer for the 60 odd sales reps. So I will be on the road a few days a week but always home by evening.

I have been looking at electronic doggie doors for Hattie since she can't go with me. Believe me I even tried in my interview to convince them she is a therapy dog and would be a good idea for sales meetings since she would make everyone feel relaxed. They didn't bite. Well, I tried anyway!

So does anyone have one of those $350 versions of the electronic door that works off a chip on the collar? Here is a link for the door...

http://www.amazon.com/High-Tech-Pet-Electronic-PX-2/dp/B003SLTETG

What are the pros and cons of one of these doors? My yard is fenced and the gate is locked. Hattie could go in and out from the tiled kitchen floor and there is a dog gate to stop her from going onto the carpet if she got muddy for some reason-(like if she decided to dig to china). The door is very safe with a deadbolt after it closes.

What do ya'll think???

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I used to go home at lunch when I lived downtown but now it's not that easy. Now I try to have someone let them out or else I come home on occassion for literally a five minute visit, but there are plenty of days that they don't have a visitor during the day. I hate it but this was our sacrafice to have a house and a yard. Sometimes i wonder if I made the right choice but there's no point in dwelling on it. I do my best and I think they are well adjusted and happy. Sometimes I think the guilt is all in our heads.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Not really. I think they don't like us leaving without them but then they are fine once we're gone. They just sleep. But then, I got Sophie a cat and a big doodle brother to keep her company :-) I think it helps me feel better that they are all together... Maybe that's what you need, a cat and a second doodle :-p ... I'm joking of course.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Now THAT'S an idea!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Congrats on the job! 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Well done on the new job. I know what you mean about guilt though.  Even on days when I'm not home or we go out some evenings I feel it. In truth though when we are out Riley sleeps on our bed.  I don't think he has a sense of time and if he has enough exercise then he is not bored.  I think Hattie will be fine whether you get the door or a pet walker.  I would opt for the walker as I am a bit nervous about those door things.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I'm wondering how much a dog walker would cost for you guys?

 

I was paying $17 per walk for Sophie when she was a puppy, until Winston came along, then it was $25 for both. If I had them both walked every single day it would cost me $500/month (with Sophie I opted for 3 times per week). I had to stop the practice when Winston arrived as I was just too stretched. Even arranging in-home visits is about that much money.

 

There are also services where they go around and pick up a bunch of dogs then bring them all someplace where they can run off leash for an hour. Those ones usually range from $15-20 per day but I think as long as the person is experienced and trustworthy it is worth it since the dogs are out all afternoon and come home pooped. I am considering doing something like that with my doodles once a week (Wednesday's to break up the week).

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Congratulations on the job. We don't have a doggy door, but I've always wondered about one. Darn, people don't know what they are missing if they are not allowing a therapy dog on the meetings. I'm totally with you. I used to take Monty with me to work (I work at a university), and he would go to many meetings with me. Makes such a difference! I'm saying "used to take" since now poor Monty stays home and I take Auggie instead since I can't keep him home just yet due to his age. He slept through his first meeting. Tomorrow will be his second one. Keep working on it. Somebody needs to be able to break the barrier and allow dogs in the corporate world!!!!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I don't have one but a friend does. It is so cool.  The dog learns to pause a moment for the door to open and then run through.  It looks like magic if you don't know about the collar.  Congratulations on your new job.