DOG AND CAT DOORS

Introduction

Pet doors are essentially swinging doors that allow your pet to enter or leave your house without asking anyone to open the door.
Pet doors are very convenient, both for the animal and the owner—ask anyone who’s been awakened at 6 am on a Sunday morning by a dog who desperately needs to go outside. Your pet is also free to attend to his own needs (exercise, elimination, or escape from danger they encountered while playing outside), which will ultimately be good for his personality and his well-being. Furthermore, pet doors prevent the “accidents” that occur while owners are away, which keeps the house clean and household chores much, much simpler.
Pet doors can be installed in doors, windows or walls. They come in various designs, and can be adapted to your pet’s size. They don’t have to be limited to just the front or back door, either; many people install them in doors separating different rooms, to allow an indoor pet to freely roam the house or gain access to the litter box in a garage.

Features of Present Models of Pet Doors

From the simple opening in the door, pet doors have become quite sophisticated and stylish.
• Easy assembly. Most models come with a template and instructions.
• Custom-fit. Doors come in small, medium, large and extra large, enabling you to choose the size suited to your pet’s breed and bulk.
• Weather-proof. Built to withstand the elements, you can use them for several years before having to replace or repair them.
• Secure. You can control which part of the house your dog has access to. The simplest design uses a mechanical barrier lock, the most sophisticated uses infra-red to electronically control the door You can also choose between a two-way locking system (with the options of locked/unlocked) and four-way locking systems (with the options of in only, out only, opened, and locked). There are models which are only activated by a magnetic collar key, which helps deny entry to stray animals. Spare parts are widely available and some manufacturers offer lifetime parts service.

Training your Pet to Use a Pet Door

Pet owners should familiarise their pets with their surroundings before installing a pet door. Even indoor pets should be taken on regular outdoor walks to make them feel secure and comfortable with the environment. Pets, especially cats, can sometimes develop long-lasting fears of unfamiliar surroundings.

Gradually ease your pet into the habit of using the pet door. At the start, leave the pet door propped open—be sure to secured the flaps so they won’t accidentally fall down on your pet. Allow him to go in and out freely, so he can become familiar with it and eventually incorporate it into his routine. If he ignores the door, use food to tempt him to walk through it.

Don’t use the lock until your pet has become completely comfortable with the pet door. If he doesn’t take to it immediately, don’t worry; just keep encouraging him, and stay patient.