You need to do what you feel is the right thing to do for you, your pups and the situation you are in. You just need to weigh the pro's and con's of having a doggy door. Keeping in mind that yes, they are a hot ticket item, they are very much like our children in many ways and yes some of un would leave thrm in the yard alone depending on your neighborhood. We dont all live in high crime areas and there aren't dog snatching bandits lurking behind the bush ready to steal our dogs. Nor are there wild animals living in the suburbs or in our small cities. Not everyone lives in the same type of communities or neighborhoods that would warrant not letting our pups have access to a doggy door.

Before you make your decision, keep in mind what kinds of threats are in your surroundings. Are there large aggressive dogs in your neighborhood, do you have other threats that could cause harm to your pup ?

You'll want to check your yard for small holes or areas that your pup may wiggle his way out of. Do you feel safe enough to allow your pup to be left unattended ?

These are all thinks for you to consider before getting a doggy door for your home. Here is a link to Menards where we got our screen door with a built in doggy door. So much easier than cutting the hole for one.

http://www.menards.com/main/search.h...goryHierarchy=

OMG These sound horrible!! Ugh speaking of bugs, I had this horrible dream there was a hornet wasp hive inside my house on my window seal and they were flying every where!! I was trying to keep Peanut safe and myself but they just kept flying on us! OMG It was horrible! LOL


OMG- OK I just goggled imaged cow killer ants and I’m pretty sure I will have nightmares again!

I 100% agree with that

I think it depends on so many things. Where your live, what kind of dog you have, how big your dog is, etc.

I would never have a doggy door where Jackson had access to the outdoors when I wasn't home - I would be entirely too nervous.

But we were thinking of installing one at my dads house... he's got this great fenced in backyard, we're out in the country, not many neighbors, no houses behind us, etc... and the dogs are constantly in and out, in and out. We already will leave the door open to the porch and the JRT can push the door open herself, lol, so sometimes they all 3 sneak out with her. Of course then they have to be let back in. Most of the time it's just to go bark at something, then they want right in. None of them are the type to stay out long us humans aren't out there with them.

We let all 3 out in the yard without supervision. In the morning they go out and do their business and came back in after about 5-10 mins. They're all between about 13-20lbs. I think it would be more worrisome with a tiny dog! I could never own a dog under 10lbs for this reason, I think I'd be way too paranoid! lol.

Sorry to give you nightmares! They are actually sort of pretty - the red part looks like velvet. Living in rural Florida is full of perils. That's why I only answered why I couldn't use a doggy door. Most people dont have quite as many dangers. But all should weigh their own prosand cons carefully. Convenience is not enough reason to overlook real danger. Larger dogs in safer areas seem to do fine with them but I dont have any first hand experience.

Doggie doors
 

As others have said, it depends on the environment and one's particular situation. Personally I always take my dog outside on a leash, even in my fenced yard. Apart from snakes, hawks, coyotes, spiders, bees, and other critters I worry about what he may eat out there. When he is out he sniffs at the ground before he does his business, and could then eat the item if it smells good, and if I do not stop him. If the yard is totally clean paving it would be safer, but in a planted garden which is fertilized etc, it is hard to be sure there are no toxic plant, bug, or soil parts that he could ingest. I understand one must be very careful to avoid known poisonous plants and chemicals, but it is the unknowns I worry about.
I may be too cautious but with an inquisitive dog like mine, I feel it is safer to watch him when outside.