The Pros and Cons of Dog Doors

Should You Have a Door Installed in Your Home?

Dec 19, 2008 Denise Oliveri

Dog doors seem like a huge convenience for most situations. Read on to decide if a dog door is right for you and your pet before making a purchase.

While providing your new best friend with his own private entrance to your house can solve many issues, there are distinct pros and cons to having a dog door installed. You must consider all the facts before deciding if this contraption is right for your situation.

Dog Door Advantages - The Pros

When you have an indoor animal, you may decide to install a dog door to provide access to the outdoors. Likewise, they can also be used for an outside animal to gain entrance to the indoors when needed. This is especially handy on cold nights when temperatures dip to dangerous levels.

A dog door can be very helpful for potty training issues. Rather than having to use potty pads or clean up messes, your dog can have instant access to the outdoors anytime he needs to use the bathroom. Dogs who trained for this purpose at a young age usually adapt very well to this technique for potty training.

A dog door can also provide access to natural air and elements when your pet feels like he is in need. The door allows your dog to come and go as he pleases, without you having to open the door every few minutes. This can also be an advantage if you will be leaving your pet home alone, as your pet can go outside rather than messing up the inside. Dogs often have a tendency to destroy property when they feel bored or trapped.

When a pet has a dog door available, he is less likely to scratch on doors or windows wanting to get out. Dogs often have a tendency to bark if they want in or out. This can be very distracting for not only the owner, but for neighbors or visitors as well. For these two situations, a dog door can prevent property damage or fines from local authorities for noise disturbances. In these cases, the cost of a dog door will be justified by saving money on these other fees.

Dog doors come in a variety of styles for just about any type of door, including sliding glass doors. This makes it very convenient to install, and most places that sell them will do the installation for you, if needed.

Dog Door Disadvantages - The Cons

While a dog door allows access for your pet, it can also allow entrance to other animals or intruders. You will need to consider a door that locks or has a special device to open. Some doors use a sensor that hangs from the dog's collar in order to open. However, these devices will usually cost triple the price of a regular door. Most homeowner insurance policies will require a secure door before they will provide coverage against theft or property damage.

While it is nice to provide your dog with access to the outdoors, if your pet has bad habits like tearing up your yard or plants, it might not be a good idea. In these cases, you will have to watch your dog the same as if you didn't have the door, and the dog may slip out without you realizing it. You will also need to consider the enclosure that you have. It will need to be secure enough that your dog cannot escape or get out into traffic.

Small children may be overly attracted to a dog door. You must take precautions to ensure that your child will not climb through the door when you are not looking. Every dog door will come with manufacturer recommendations. It is important to pay attention to these warnings and suggestions before installing a dog door.

Avoid the hassle of having to return the door you purchase. Consider the size of the door must fit the size of your dog. This includes knowing how big a puppy will become when it is full grown.

Remember that some dogs are not keen on inclement weather, and may refuse to use the dog door to go to the bathroom. On days like this, you will need to be extra attentive to whether or not your dog has to relieve himself, and make sure you send him out the old fashioned way.

Pet doors have many pros and cons. The good news is that you can often find one that will work for your situation. Consider the ways you will use your pet door and search for one that provides both convenience and security for you and your pet.

The copyright of the article The Pros and Cons of Dog Doors in Dogs is owned by Denise Oliveri. Permission to republish The Pros and Cons of Dog Doors in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Pros and Cons of Dog Doors