| The main benefit of a dog door is obvious: with the | | | | remains bolted shut until an infrared key attached to |
| addition of a simple flap to your back door, your dog | | | | your dog's collar triggers it. Similarly, a strong magnet |
| will be free to come and go from your house. With a | | | | on your dog's collar would unlatch a magnetic door. |
| dog door, you will no longer have to wake up before | | | | While more expensive, an electronic or magnetic dog |
| dawn to let your howling dog out. Whenever nature | | | | door will help ensure that it is only your dog that is |
| calls, your dog will be able to use your dog door to get | | | | making it into or out of your house. Indeed, electronic |
| to your backyard. And while it is not a substitute for | | | | dog doors can even be attached to your home |
| walks and games of fetch, allowing your dog to go | | | | security system. |
| outside when it wants to run around will help your dog | | | | No matter what type of dog door you decide to install |
| maintain its health. | | | | in your home, you should at a minimum consider the |
| There are some potential problems with having a dog | | | | following features. For security purposes, it is best to |
| door, however. A manual dog door, a simple wooden | | | | get a dog door that can be securely locked. If you |
| or plastic flap installed in a wall or door at ground level, | | | | already have one that cannot be properly locked, you |
| can cause a host of problems. The main problem is | | | | can purchase a pane that can drop into place over the |
| that, in the process of allowing your dog to come and | | | | hole. |
| go when it wants, you could also be opening your | | | | A final consideration is your local climate and the |
| house up to anything else that can fit through the dog | | | | potential loss of cold or hot air through the new hole in |
| door. Stray dogs and cats have been known to | | | | your door or wall. If you live in a fairly temperate area |
| wander into houses through the open flap. Also, if you | | | | where you do not have to heat or cool your house, |
| have multiple pets, it will be difficult to allow only some | | | | then this will not be a major concern. Otherwise, you |
| of them to use the door. And if the hole is sufficiently | | | | should take steps to ensure that your dog door is |
| large, a burglar could use it to gain access to your | | | | properly insulated. This requires buying a dog door with |
| house. | | | | thicker materials, and with a panel that forms a perfect |
| Getting an electronic or magnetic dog door can | | | | seal when closed. In particularly harsh climates, you |
| address many of the concerns you may have with a | | | | may want to consider purchasing a model with a |
| manual flap. With an electronic dog door, the door | | | | double flap. |