Anyone use a doggy door for sliding glass doors?

[Brewster's Mom]

Brewster is such a crazy dog. He likes to go in the backyard, but if I'm the one to let him out, he wants me to come out with him every time, or he'll just turn around and want back in. If my husband lets him out (when I'm at work, etc.) he'll go outside happily and stay out for up to an hour. Ok, so he's attached to me! LOL The funny part is, that if I leave the door open enough for him to come and go, he will just come and go and not insist I go out with him. Not very workable in the winter (too cold) OR the summer (too buggy).

I think I might get one of those doggy doors for sliding glass doors. They are pricy for the XL tall size (which he'd need). Does anyone have this product? Is it worth the $200-$300 cost? Does your dood use/love it? Looking for experiences! Thanks!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I've thought about it. My sliding door is right next to the kitchen table and I'm afraid it would be drafty. My dogs can be out like a shot after an real or imagined squirrel. Luca has always preferred me to go out with him and now Calla is checking to see if I'm coming. Sometimes I go out just long enough for them to get distracted and then I sneak back in.

[Debbie and Thomas]

I would LOVE one of these-how do they work? Do we have to cut into the glass? I just looked at your profile and you are RIGHT, Brewster is a big boy. I have a big one too-14 mths old and I am guessing lightly at 85 lbs,very tall and he also loves the backyard-sometimes he just wants to go out to sniff the fresh air but he wants in and out often. One of these doors would be great for us. Can you post a picture of one?

[F, Calla & Luca]

No, you don't have to cut into the glass. The ones I've seen have a full length panel that fits into the partly open doorway. The bottom of the panel has a built in dog flap.
Example

[Brewster's Mom]

Here are two different styles. I really like the full door replacement panel, but I'm sure it's WAYYY more $$ than the partial door insert! :) The second style is available from petsmart, petco, etc.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Mine is a full-height paned with window (admittedly cheap) at the top and doggie door at the bottom. And yes they do let in hot air in summer and cold air in winter. You just permanently open your slider and pop the doggie door in and fasten it. Even goobers like my DH and I can install it. It then is at the right of your original slider. Your sliding glass door width is reduced but you still can go in and out.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Yup!!!! Love it. love it, love it. We don't have to worry if we are gone too long or if we couldn't get the dogs to go potty before we leave. Ned does drag sticks and rocks back in some, but we have never had an unwanted animal (or person) enter. We live in California, land of the mostly-good-weather, but if it is rainy or nasty out and I am leaving, I just close the door OR, close the door to the kitchen and the guys are confined to a tile floor and leather furniture.
We also don't close the door night or day and we haven't ever had any problems. It locks but if a burglar wanted to get in he could, however he would be faced with three ( 2 bigger) dogs as he entered (perhaps a little intimidating).

[Brewster's Mom]

The one I looked into locks on the inside and outside, so I think it'd be safe enough. I do worry it might be drafty, though.

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Nancy, you are a riot!!!! I want to be one of your dogs:). I've never let my dogs have doggie doors b/c Illinois is usually muddy, either rain or snow. Probably only 4 mos. where I don't have to wipe off each paw individually before they can come in. Usually wash them too!! But now I'll have several sets and maybe I could use one of them that would pen them into a wooden floor area (all but bedrooms). And my dogs are sneaks and like to lay on the furniture before I get home and then pretend that they were on the floor all along (dog beds, ha). But I love the idea of them being able to get out if I don't get home in time. I always feel pressured and nervous. I'd love to see a burglar try to come into your house with that brood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lee Seidman]

We have three dog doors, Lexi has a run on the side of our home fenced and she has to go out the laundry room, into the garage and out the side door to her run. She has access to this day and night and loves to just sit in her run and watch joggers, cars and dogs go by. When we are home she has a door into the back yard. When cool she likes to sit by the pool and run along the fence with our neighbors dogs. We live on a canal and do not permit access when we are away from home. She has the ability to go potty whenever she needs to and has never had an accident in the house. Downside to XL doggy door is that there is really no way to secure the house. Even I can slide thru the opening and reach the locks. Our feeling is, with sliding glass doors if someone wants in, just break the glass...........with the doggy door, if you put your head thru you will meet Lexi on the inside. She will probably lick him until he leaves tho, lol. We love the idea that she is basically free to roam the entire house and yard and has never chewed, broken or done any damage to our things and only plays with her toys.
In Florida when we left the door open for her our air condiitioning bills went sky high, the doors have paid for themselves, fortunately, we live in an extremely low crime area...where dogs are given a lot of respect by strangers.

[April Cliber]

I have one and LOVE it!!! They are easy to clean and work really well!

[GBK]

We use the full panel and love it. Ours came with magnets that keep the plastic panels stuck to the door when they are not going through it. I don't notice air or heat escaping, or drafts coming in.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Our flap is worn out and needs replacing - otherwise the magnets do a decent job.