Doggie Doors

[babajay]

With my family expanding soon (new little blind mama this week and new baby boy wire at the end of July) I'm thinking about getting a doggie door. Does anyone have a preference for the brand, the mechanism, in-the-door or in-the wall, etc.? What are pros and cons of different types? I know some only open if your dogs have special collars that the door mechanism recognizes, but I don't know if the collars are comfortable. What size opening is adequate for doxies? You can see I need lots of help!
Barbara :confused:

[svofcols]

After being aquired by our 5th furbaby we decided a doggie door was a have to have! Noboby every wanted out or in at the same time!! We went to Home Depot, bought the only brnad they carry, sorry can't remember the name. Ours is about 12" across and about 18" high. It has a slide in panel that you can either leave in to lock out whoever/whatever or you can leave it open. THere is a clear heavy vinyl flap that stays in place all the time. We love ours!!!
Sandi

[TessieMom]

As a dog door person for 21 years, I do have some observations. First, do not go with the least expensive brands (Johnson) as I used to replace them every 6 months. I bought the PetSafe in door one with aluminum frame (about $90?). I put it in about 1987 and have replaced the flap twice when dogs chewed the corners!

[babajay]

I live up here in the frigid northeast (NJ) - right now it's hot and sticky, but do the doors leak much cold air in winter? We get some pretty windy days here and wonder if there are some that are more airtight than others.

[feofil]

HA! You must be from the deep south to think NJ is the frigid Northeast. I do not live far from Buffalo, and when the news headline shows a snowstorm in the city we just scoff. No one ever shows a snowstorm up here on the news---it ain;t news!

Anyway, I used to have a house (never again will I own a house!) and we had a doggie doori installed in the back yard. Only on the coldest of days did we actually shut it airtight. The dogs were not thinking of going out anyway! I would imagine in the five years we lived there, we closed it for 3 days.

Patrick

[babajay]

Patrick, I'll have you know that I grew up on Keuka Lake just about 50 miles south of Rochester! My little Cookie is from a breeder in Auburn, NY also. You're right about the weather though - everyone in NJ freaks out at the first sign of a snowflake!Thank you for the vote of confidence in doggie doors - I think it's the only way to preserve my sanity with agrowing family. Thank you. Barbara :flower:

[kpm_tex]

I would highly recommend Patio Pacific as a great place to get a doggie door. They have doors for any application .. such as in windows, sliding doors etc. Their customer service is fantastic and they deliver unbelievable fast. Merry & Bart love the door I got for the window that goes out to the patio!

http://www.patiopacific.com/

[kpm_tex]

Patrick,

I have a rescue pony who was confiscated from a 'petting zoo' kind of place up there. Lolli Pop Farm kept him and about 100 other horses, ponies and other animals from there. Last year they sent about 20 of them here to Texas for adoption. I named the Pony 'Chester' since he came from 'Rochester' . I got him in May of last year and he still had a VERY heavy winter coat... so it must get pretty cold up there!!!

[Heide]

A doggie door is a life saver for us with our 5.
We bought the medium size from Home Depot.
We have 2. One goes out our bedroom door onto the porch and then from the porch the other goes out to the back yard.
They are so wonderful.
We really dont have a problem with any cold air coming in. If you do you can shut it up for a while. It comes with the board to slide in.
Benjamin has no problem with the doggie doors. In fact he runs full speed and goes out of it.
Did you get my pm I sent by the way?
We are anxiously awaiting the homecoming.

[babajay]

Thanks to all for the information. I think I have a good place to do a through the wall doggie door. If I put it through my back door, it wouldn't work because I have a storm/screen door in addition to the wooden door. We need this in "frigid NJ";) I think it'll be great for the dogs to be able to go in and out as they want, even if it's not always for a potty break. My mom and dad got a nice little poodle at Lollipop Farm many years ago & she lived on their small farm upstate NY. All are gone now, but it's nice to reminisce.
Yes, Patt, I did get your PM and thanks for your support! Barbara