DOGGY DOOR – For Safety and Convenience

[Sandysbabies]

We have a doggie door in my laundry room that leads out on to the patio. It use to be great because in the beginning we just had schnauzers. Now with the 2 yorkies I just don't want them out by themselves. Kayla runs in and out, in and out and brings in sticks bigger than she is. Dudley is so little and at 2 now he still has not learned how to go through it and I am glad. Would not want him out when we were gone. I have it closed off now because of little Tina having demenia. She goes out and can't find her way back in. So for the time being is locked. I have also thought about fire and it scares me to think they would have no way out if we were gone. Its hard to know what to do. I just don't like any of my crew outside anymore without one of us being with them.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I have mixed feelings about this, and if I had a larger dog, I'd have a doggy door. I'm still am deathly afraid of leaving Joey alone, my childhood dog died in a fire at my parents home. The smoke got to him, and he was found under the couch. This picture haunts me, and I become very upset when I have to leave Joey for over an hour. We do see hawks all the time, and I don't feel like Joey is safe in the backyard by himself.

Oh Nancy . This brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine how much your childhood dog meant to you as a little girl.

[kjcmsw]

We have a doggie door for them to use (when we're home)...goes to a "doggie outhouse" (with potty pads) and then the outhouse has a door that goes to a covered deck (enclosed with chicken wire so they can't get through the slats as it's a long drop down). They all love running in and out in the good weather, except Harlow who's afraid of it (we're working on that with treats...I'm thinking this summer she'll want to follow the other dogs more)
ANyway, I agree a doggie door/ER escape hatch is a good thing - "but" we don't let them have access to the deck if we're gone due to the fear someone might come up on the deck and steal them, thus when we're gone they can only get as far as the "outhouse" - so it might help save them in a fire ER if we were gone...somehow I think they'd panic and hide under a bed/what have you.
Been thinking about getting the stickers, which I think is a very good idea.

[SWHouston]

I'm really surprised !
So many negative comments, on an item which I have
found to be so very convenient.

Don't misunderstand me please....
I think that all of your concerns are valid, and if not having
one is making you feel better, that's fine.

I'm just amazed at how many won't use one, wow.

[mauirobin]

I have all the same thoughts about why I shouldn't have a doggie door. But with KendraE's thread this morning about her yorkie yard.. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...-complete.html

I am thinking a bit differently. Only thing I am concerned about is the feral little kitties that are always in my yard. My yorkie yard would need to be completely enclosed, but allowing the sun in, as they do enjoy sun-bathing. I like the idea though...so will be pondering this for awhile.

[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.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Oh Nancy . This brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine how much your childhood dog meant to you as a little girl.

Thanks so much Ann, I use to have panic attacks when I left Joey at home, and I couldn't figure out what was causing this. I'd be driving home from the grocery store and I just couldn't get home fast enough. Finally, I realized I was afraid of fire, and I put two and two together. It just hawks seem to be a more realistic threat for me, than fire. I saw a thread recently with a doggy door out to a covered porch, and I thought that was the best solution all around, but for now, I just don't leave Joey unless someone is here to watch him. We've saved a bundle on eating out!