Dog Doors, Automatic, and Electronic

As anyone who has owned a dog can attest, they are not always content to wait around inside all days. Further, nearly all dogs need to go outside sometimes. At the same time, it is not always the best system for the dog to have to alert you every time it wants to go outside. That’s where the dog door comes in. And while this is a familiar invention to most everyone, many people are not as acutely aware of the latest technology in dog doors, including automatic and electronic doors. Whether you are just exploring your dog door options or you are looking to install a new door, dog-doors.org aims to provide you with helpful, reliable information about all different kinds of dog doors to help you on your way.

The basic purpose of the dog door is to let dogs go outside whenever they need to, without having to approach a human—or wake one up, in some cases. It is hard for most people to tend to their dogs around-the-clock, and something as simple as a dog door can eliminate a lot of those problems.

Choosing the best dog door will depend on your particular needs, as well as the size of your dog. How big does the door need to be? How often does the dog need to go outside? Does having a dog door potentially pose a safety concern? What is your budget?

First of all, you will want to ensure that the door size corresponds with the size of your dog. Certainly you will want it to be big enough that your dog can comfortably fit through it—but not so big that it might increase draftiness.

On that note, consider the weather patterns where you live. If you get a lot of cold weather such as snow, rain and wind, it is a good idea to have a door thicker than the standard sheet of vinyl. The standard sheet can for the most part stop drafts, but it does not insulate particularly well. These standard doors can also sometimes be opened by strong gusts of wind.

When most people picture the dog door, they picture this classic flappable vinyl door that a dog can push open and closed. Indeed, these doors are commonly used, and easy to install. However, one of the disadvantages to these doors is that they do not always protect against the climate. And even while many of these dog doors are designed to lock at night, some people still have concerns about a door through which anyone could potentially crawl. 

To meet these concerns, there are more technologically advanced dog doors available. Electronically locking dog doors usually work by installing an infrared transmitter to the dog’s collar. This triggers the dog door to unlock when the dog approaches. The rest of the time, the door stays securely locked.

There are also automatic dog doors available. These can be especially useful for older or handicapped pets. Some complex wiring is required in order to connect these doors to a power source without having any exposed wires. They require no force to open or close them, so it is easier for dogs to enter and exit. However, these doors tend to be fairly expensive.

Both electronic and automatic dog doors essentially look the same as standard doors, but with the built-in electronic lock.

While these doors can add stronger security and protection, the jury is still out among trainers about how these devices influence behavior. Moreover, some animal behavior specialists have suggested that dog doors in general might take away from time owners spend walking the dog. This can sometimes lead to less exercise, and also encourage less disciplined behavior in the dogs.

That said, there’s no reason it isn’t possible to have a dog door and still continue to spend time walking and training your dog. Dog doors can provide the dog extra freedom to roam. Whether you just got your first dog and are exploring your dog door options, you are looking for a more advanced upgrade, dog-doors.org aims to provide you with helpful information. Thank you for visiting and please check back often as our information is regularly updated.

 

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