[SWHouston]

DOGGY DOOR – A Step at a Time

Though we would like to think that “all” of our animals are fearless, in fact, that may not be true in all cases. Some are a little leery when encountering a Doggy Door for the first time, and need some indoctrination, to get them used to passing through the opening. Most Doors have a Flap or Hard Door, which “scoots/drags” across the Dog’s back, and some Dogs need time to get used to that.

Here is a step by step procedure, where you may choose to go through each step, or, pick an intermediate one temporarily, to allow your animal time to adjust to the Door. Many times, the permanent Flaps are made of heavier material, and intentionally cause resistance, to keep them closed when not being used. The following are temporary alternatives, using lighter materials, to encourage usage, building up your animals confidence, to where the permanent Flap can be installed.

1: NO FLAP AT ALL
Once having installed the Frame, most Doors have a removable Flap, which can be taken out of the Door temporarily. Some animals require a short adjustment period, and even if you choose to leave the Door completely unrestricted for a day or two, you can always place the “Slide”* in the Door, to close it off for overnights.

2: A VERY LIGHT MATERIAL (partial closure)
After having removed the permanent Flap, I’ve taped a single Freezer Bag (cut to size) in the opening, where it only came down half way of the opening. This allows an animal, to “Feel” the lighter material dragging over its back, and realize that it’s not hurting them in any way. Just placing it half way over the opening, allows the animal a clear view to the outside (encouragement) to get it to move through.

3: A LIGHT MATERIAL (full closure)
The next step would be to cut a piece of light material (thin plastic or cloth) where it fills the opening full length. I’ve used a piece of clear flexible plastic Carpet Protector in this instance (ones without spikes), allowing the animal to see through to the outside, but having to encounter dealing with a full closure.

You can use any one, or process through all of the above steps, to allow “that shy one” to become comfortable with dealing with the Door. And any of the above individual steps can be left in use for hours or days, whatever’s necessary. Once this indoctrination period has been achieved, then, install the heavier permanent Flap, and enjoy.

* = Slide. A separate or connected piece which closes/locks the Door from access in either direction.