How safe are doggy doors? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Dena · 02-16-2006, 10:21 AM

I'd like to teach Wookie to use the doggie door in my new house (end of March) And the yard is fenced by a brick wall all around.
He will only be allowed to run around and use the door when someone is home.

But what I would like to know is.. how safe is the doggy door and any other thoughts about this??

Thanks

-Dena

JUDY's2yorkies · 02-16-2006, 10:33 AM

We love ours, I got the smallest one because we only have yorkies,its great for me because they can go out in there safe yard at any time,plus its fun to potty outside,,the only drawback I have found is when its snowing,they run out and get snowballs on there feet and long hair,then run back in and on the couch to dry off,unless I am in bed,then of cource they jump under the covers,to melt the snowballs on my nice warm self,come to think of it,in the summer they bring grass and weeds and flower pieces in the house also,leaving a trail behind

chachi · 02-16-2006, 10:35 AM

My husband wants one of these in our next house. The only thing I worry about is other critters getting into the house

shecass · 02-16-2006, 10:37 AM

We just installed one last Friday and we all love it. The dogs go in and out as they please when someone is home. We close it off at night and when we go out somewhere.

I wish we had gotten one long ago.

lovelilly · 02-16-2006, 10:40 AM

We have a doggy door that leads into a small dog run on the side of the house. The dog run is concrete and is fenced of course...so she can't get out...or dig out.

My husband wants to build a dog house around the hole of the dog door so that it is concealed from the outside.

The hole is only as big as a sheet of paper so not much could get in...and since we have a six foot fence all they way around our yard I could only image maybe a cat and so far that hasn't happened.

With my husband concealing the door itself I would imagine it would make it safer than it already is. I am a stay at home mom so it is only used during the day when I am home. And we will lock it up at night when we go to bed.

Dena · 02-16-2006, 10:43 AM

Thanks for the info.
The one that is installed in the house that I'm moving into right now is really tiny. Perfect for the Wook.. So I'm hoping I can teach him to use it. That would be a dream come true!!

alisonJ · 02-16-2006, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chachi

My husband wants one of these in our next house. The only thing I worry about is other critters getting into the house

We LOVE our door, and since it can only be opened with a magnetic "key" that Edie wears on her harness, only she can come in.

We put the doggie door in the outer storm door so that we can close the inside door and then the house is locked up.

When it is rainy and muddy outside, I keep the kitchen gated off so that Edie can't bring mud from the outside all over the house. IT stays in the kitchen.

I have to tell you a story about Edie and her door. She got up last summer at about 3 a.m. I heard her go downstairs, and then I heard her doggie door open. I looked out the window, and there she was, peeing in the back yard. I was SO PROUD.

Then I heard the doggie door open again, and I heard her coming up the stairs and back to bed. All without disturbing Mom and Dad. It was GREAT.

LIL MIS' MAGIC · 02-16-2006, 11:59 AM

We have one and LOVE it!! It is on our back door and is on a separate door so we can close the backdoor when we are not home and they can't go out!! It made potty training so much easier...the girls can go out on their own when they need it and don't have to ask...it is connected to a small fenced in patio and grass area they use for pottying!! On pretty days we let them play out in the big back yard when someone is watching them....

We have never had any critter come inside, although we thought at first we might get some being out in the country!! But nothing as ever come in....

Yorkie guy · 02-16-2006, 03:04 PM

We have a Hale pet door that is great as it has a dual flap system,two flaps are much better than just one.....plus a thick plastic smoke colored sliding door with a locking pin. The color is important as you wouldn't want a clear panel the dogs couldn't see and have them slam into it thinking it was open.

scrapindee · 02-16-2006, 03:18 PM

We've a doggie door out to the fenced yard from the kitchen and a second doggie door into the garage from the family room. We also have a (third) doggie door from garage to side yard which goes the back yard (a full circle if all dog doors are open).

Now if my pups would figure out they can go downstairs to use these doggie doors, to the garage in the middle of the night, the pee-pads could go bye-bye.

agodden · 02-16-2006, 03:24 PM

We have a small door for our Yorkie and Pom. Our Yorkie had no trouble with the door as soon as we got her (as an adult.) But, our Pomeranian didn't like the original hard plastic spring loaded door that came with it. We had been propping the door open so she could use it but we did get a mouse in the house once. So my husband changed the door to a flexible piece of plastic like they use on walk-in freezers at restaurants and that has worked great! No mice !!

Also, where we put our doggie door was not right out to the same level as the ground so my husband built the girls a "deck" right outside the door with steps to the ground. They love their deck and laze around in the sun on it as much as possible here in Seattle!

Yorkie guy · 02-16-2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agodden

We have a small door for our Yorkie and Pom. Our Yorkie had no trouble with the door as soon as we got her (as an adult.) But, our Pomeranian didn't like the original hard plastic spring loaded door that came with it. We had been propping the door open so she could use it but we did get a mouse in the house once. So my husband changed the door to a flexible piece of plastic like they use on walk-in freezers at restaurants and that has worked great! No mice !!

Also, where we put our doggie door was not right out to the same level as the ground so my husband built the girls a "deck" right outside the door with steps to the ground. They love their deck and laze around in the sun on it as much as possible here in Seattle!

The sun shines in Seattle????

We're here in Arizona and get sick'n'tired of seeing it!!

agodden · 02-16-2006, 03:37 PM

Actually the sun is shining right now but it is about 45 degrees out!

klogan · 02-16-2006, 04:11 PM

I have a doggy door and LOVE it. It made the whole potty training thing go easy! Really! It really took a lot of stress away from my husband and me.

I have heard, however that if you have a small one that birds can get them. I guess it depends where you live...

Stomper is a big boy and thinks he is hot stuff running in and out of the doggy door! It is soooooooo easy to train them to go out. It is great!

Yorkie24U · 02-16-2006, 04:11 PM

The doggy doors can be very handy but be sure to watch out for those flying critters, HAWKS and OWLS that can swoop down and pick up small breeds and carry them off. There have been a few posts on YT that mentioned caution when it comes to those flying critters. Just as a reminder to keep your babies safe at all times. I personally wouldn't let mine out alone, but thats just my opinion.

02-16-2006, 10:21 AM	#1
Dena No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,424	How safe are doggy doors? I'd like to teach Wookie to use the doggie door in my new house (end of March) And the yard is fenced by a brick wall all around. He will only be allowed to run around and use the door when someone is home. But what I would like to know is.. how safe is the doggy door and any other thoughts about this?? Thanks -Dena

02-16-2006, 10:35 AM	#3
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	My husband wants one of these in our next house. The only thing I worry about is other critters getting into the house __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

02-16-2006, 10:37 AM	#4
shecass YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North wilkesboro, NC Posts: 2,785	We just installed one last Friday and we all love it. The dogs go in and out as they please when someone is home. We close it off at night and when we go out somewhere. I wish we had gotten one long ago. __________________ Sheila, Mollie & Wyatt Ethan my pride and joy Mollie www.dogster.com/?176293 Wyatt www.dogster.com/?205723

02-16-2006, 10:40 AM	#5
lovelilly Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Henderson CO Posts: 640	We have a doggy door that leads into a small dog run on the side of the house. The dog run is concrete and is fenced of course...so she can't get out...or dig out. My husband wants to build a dog house around the hole of the dog door so that it is concealed from the outside. The hole is only as big as a sheet of paper so not much could get in...and since we have a six foot fence all they way around our yard I could only image maybe a cat and so far that hasn't happened. With my husband concealing the door itself I would imagine it would make it safer than it already is. I am a stay at home mom so it is only used during the day when I am home. And we will lock it up at night when we go to bed. __________________ We our yorkie family Tucker, Lilly & Scout! More info on me and my family http://www.myspace.com/99824468

02-16-2006, 11:59 AM	#8
LIL MIS' MAGIC Yorkie Lover Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 4,377 Blog Entries: 3	We have one and LOVE it!! It is on our back door and is on a separate door so we can close the backdoor when we are not home and they can't go out!! It made potty training so much easier...the girls can go out on their own when they need it and don't have to ask...it is connected to a small fenced in patio and grass area they use for pottying!! On pretty days we let them play out in the big back yard when someone is watching them.... We have never had any critter come inside, although we thought at first we might get some being out in the country!! But nothing as ever come in.... __________________ Kristin, Mom to: Lil Mis Magic, Sailor and Captain

02-16-2006, 10:33 AM	#2
JUDY's2yorkies YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Logan Utah Posts: 280	We love ours, I got the smallest one because we only have yorkies,its great for me because they can go out in there safe yard at any time,plus its fun to potty outside,,the only drawback I have found is when its snowing,they run out and get snowballs on there feet and long hair,then run back in and on the couch to dry off,unless I am in bed,then of cource they jump under the covers,to melt the snowballs on my nice warm self,come to think of it,in the summer they bring grass and weeds and flower pieces in the house also,leaving a trail behind

02-16-2006, 10:43 AM	#6
Dena No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,424	Thanks for the info. The one that is installed in the house that I'm moving into right now is really tiny. Perfect for the Wook.. So I'm hoping I can teach him to use it. That would be a dream come true!!

02-16-2006, 03:04 PM	#9
Yorkie guy YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 341 Blog Entries: 1	We have a Hale pet door that is great as it has a dual flap system,two flaps are much better than just one.....plus a thick plastic smoke colored sliding door with a locking pin. The color is important as you wouldn't want a clear panel the dogs couldn't see and have them slam into it thinking it was open. __________________ If Yorkies can't go to heaven,then when I die I want to go where they went!

02-16-2006, 03:18 PM	#10
scrapindee Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Redlands Posts: 4,842 Blog Entries: 2	We've a doggie door out to the fenced yard from the kitchen and a second doggie door into the garage from the family room. We also have a (third) doggie door from garage to side yard which goes the back yard (a full circle if all dog doors are open). Now if my pups would figure out they can go downstairs to use these doggie doors, to the garage in the middle of the night, the pee-pads could go bye-bye.

02-16-2006, 03:24 PM	#11
agodden Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: WA Posts: 14	We have a small door for our Yorkie and Pom. Our Yorkie had no trouble with the door as soon as we got her (as an adult.) But, our Pomeranian didn't like the original hard plastic spring loaded door that came with it. We had been propping the door open so she could use it but we did get a mouse in the house once. So my husband changed the door to a flexible piece of plastic like they use on walk-in freezers at restaurants and that has worked great! No mice !! Also, where we put our doggie door was not right out to the same level as the ground so my husband built the girls a "deck" right outside the door with steps to the ground. They love their deck and laze around in the sun on it as much as possible here in Seattle!

02-16-2006, 03:37 PM	#13
agodden Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: WA Posts: 14	Actually the sun is shining right now but it is about 45 degrees out!

02-16-2006, 04:11 PM	#14
klogan YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 661	I have a doggy door and LOVE it. It made the whole potty training thing go easy! Really! It really took a lot of stress away from my husband and me. I have heard, however that if you have a small one that birds can get them. I guess it depends where you live... Stomper is a big boy and thinks he is hot stuff running in and out of the doggy door! It is soooooooo easy to train them to go out. It is great! __________________ Kimberly & Stomper

02-16-2006, 04:11 PM	#15
Yorkie24U YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: USA Posts: 659	The doggy doors can be very handy but be sure to watch out for those flying critters, HAWKS and OWLS that can swoop down and pick up small breeds and carry them off. There have been a few posts on YT that mentioned caution when it comes to those flying critters. Just as a reminder to keep your babies safe at all times. I personally wouldn't let mine out alone, but thats just my opinion.