Doggie Doors with rainy days?

[Wendy and Sophie]

We are thinking about getting a doggie door for our one year old Goldendoodle.  She is great alone in the house now and is ready, if we are.

My question is, how do you manage it on rainy days?  Does your dog just track in wet and mud and you deal with it?  Do you keep it closed while you are gone if it's raining?

Any issues with snakes or other small animals coming in the house?

And if anyone has thoughts on a door in the wall versus in a sliding glass door, that would be super, too!

Thanks so much for any guidance you can share.

Wendy and Sophie

[Amy and Annabelle]

I don't have a doggy door, but if I did I would keep her confined to the kitchen on rainy days so as not to track mud all over the house. My sister in law had a raccoon wreck havoc in her house after it came in through the doggy door during the night. I am a worry wort and would worry the whole time I was gone thinking up possible things to go wrong while I was gone. But I know a lot of people have them.

[Wendy and Sophie]

Keeping her confined is a great idea, Amy.  Thank you.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have a doggy door off my screen porch. My dogs are only allowed out when I am home. I have never had an animal come onto the porch through the doggy door except for the dogs that is. I would never be comfortable with the dogs outside when I am away.

[Wendy and Sophie]

Thanks so much!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

We've had the in-glass doggy door for over a year now and I love it! It's such a peace of mind while I'm at work. Usually, when left home alone, the boys just sleep, but the younger one likes to go outside and observe the birds during the day (and do his business since he can't hold it the whole day). We've had no problems with any critters trying to get in the house, but we don't live out in the country. We are surrounded by neighbors. Also, when it rains, the doodles don't like to go outside anyways, so we haven't had any issues with mud. Snow might be a different topic, LOL. They both love snow, but then again, if we are not home, they mostly stay inside.

[Wendy and Sophie]

That's really great to hear.  We don't typically have snow either, thankfully. :-)

[Wendy and Myla]

That's interesting!  I wonder how many people that have "doggy door's" actually use them when they are not at home?  I have been totally interested in this since I am a "stay at home Mom" with Myla. She loves being outside and usually spends most of her time outside but if it's raining or snowing, will still ask to be outside at least three times a day - still not sure if it's to potty or just to be outside.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We leave our dog door open when we are home and gone.  To me the whole point is that my guys can go in and out as they choose, especially when we are gone. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We have a doggy door and keep it open pretty much 24-7.  The only critters that come in it are brought in by the dogs - lizards, birds, and once a wild kitten.  Because we live in California and we are in a serious drought, our yard is weeds and dirt.  They track in everything.  On the few days it rains, I might close it, but mostly I put towels on the floor and wipe them down and close off the carpeted areas of the house. 

[Nancy & Echo]

I have NO personal experience, but there are some pet doors that have a 'key': your pet wears a signalling device on his/her collar or harness which is needed before the door will open.  I have no idea how well they work.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Oh, we have tried it all.  Love rainy days and keep a towel by the back door when it is wet outside.  The boys know to stop and get wiped down when they come in from the rain.  The doggie dogs have not worked so well, but we love the retractable screen door.  I put a notice "Cuidado Zeppo" with white tape at head level on the screen and they stop when the screen door is closed.  Works for us.  We occasionally get critters in the back yard but they have not come into the house.  I think the dogs scare them away, but frequently they drink from the dog bowls in the yard.

[Christine & Shelby]

We have a dog door and I keep it open when home and when away.... But close it at night! I have a runner carpet (from Lowes or Home Depot that I put just inside the door... It's about 6 feet long and does a good job getting feet mostly dry. I also put down what I call runways (on the really wet days....) These are old towels that I put at the entry points to the carpet from the dog door... So there is another several steps on an absorbent surface before hitting my off white carpet. Works for us!