A dog Door gives your four legged friend the ability to go in and out when they like. With the advancement of modern smart technology, there are even electronic doors that work by using an electronic tag that determines when the dog is near the door.

The best Dog Door is the High Tech Pet Power Door, which is an automatic electronic dog door activated via a MS-4 ultrasonic collar and is available in two different sizes.

Before choosing the first dog door you see, its vital that you measure the height and width. If you have a puppy, take some time to research the maximum size your dog will grow to as this will ensure they will comfortably be able to pass through.

Best Insulated Dog Doors

Installation of an dog door is really not as bad you would first think. Yes, you will be required to cut through the material of your door but you will be provided with a cutting template, which makes things much easier. Alternatively, a professional woodworker will be able to install this in less than a hour at a cheap rate.

There is a whole range of different dog doors available that offer different functionality but of course, this is based upon your budget. Some homeowners may also prefer a dog door for walls whereas other would want it for their doors.

Installing one of these devices not only allows you dog free movement but will also improve toilet training inside the house. Below is a list of the best dog doors that can be installed easily and allow your dog to go in and out when they want.

High Tech Pet Power Electronic Dog Door

The High Tech Pet electronic dog door is one of the more expensive examples but offers excellent qualities that make it a worthwhile investment. The automatic door is motor driven and moved vertically when activated by the MS-4 ultrasonic collar.

You are able to control automatic dog door by setting it as In Only, Out Only, Full Access or Closed and locked. A major concern with many dog doors is security but the High Tech Pet door has an automatic deadbolt for extra security.

This door is available in two sizes and the dimensions are as followed:

• Medium – 8-1/4 by 10 inch for dogs up to 30 LBS
• Large – 12-1/4 by 16 inch for dogs up to 100 LBS

The collar itself is battery powered, small in size and is fully waterproof for when your dog is out and about. In terms of the door, you have the option to run it from an AC outlet or depend on battery power.

It is fully weatherproof with an airtight seal and is the perfect automatic door to allow your dog in and out. Overall, it is the best electronic dog door you can buy and available for a range of sizes with easy installation. It also has the benefit of the option to install it in your door or wall unlike the alternatives that are one or the other.

Endura Double Flap Wall Mount Dog Door

Installing an electronic dog door in the wall is becoming much more popular but it does require a more heavier duty construction compared to door mounted alternatives. This electronic dog door by Endura Flap is available in four different sizes:

• Small – 6 by 10 inches
• Medium – 8 x 14 inches
• Large – 10 x 18 inches
• Extra Large – 12 x 22 inches

It is also available in white, black and tan, which is a good selection of colors to match your home decor. If the door is not in use, you are able to use a sturdy security cover to completely close off any access, which is good if you are away.

In terms of the energy efficiency of this electronic dog door, it has feature that make it one of the best. For example, the flaps are magnetically sealed on boat the sides and the bottom so that its air tight and each door is double-paned for insulation.

Overall, the Endura Flap is the best heavy duty dog door for walls and although expensive, is completely worth paying the extra. The build quality, variety of colors and range of sizes means you can pinpoint your perfect dog door.

PetSafe Cold Weather Dog Door

The PetSafe alternative is suited to those looking for an affordable electronic dog door that is suitable for a range of dogs. This door in particular is available in three different sizes with the following dimensions and weight capacity:

• Small – 5 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches for dogs up to 15 LBS
• Medium – 8 1/2 by 11 1/2 inches for dogs up to 40 LBS
• Large – 10 1/2 by 15/23 inches for dos up to 100 LBS

PetSafe claim that their door is one of the most energy efficient pet door available. This is thanks to a unique three flap system with the center flap being insulated that keep the warm and cool air inside your home.

When it comes to installation, PetSafe provide documentation, hardware and a cutting template in order to speed up the process. The best part about this electronic dog door is the price because its a fraction of the premium alternatives.

Overall, it is the best dog door for cold weather and offers a range of useful features as well as being highly energy efficient.

SureFlap Microchip Pet Door

The SureFlap electronic dog door works with your pets existing microchip or with an RFID collar tag for in and out access. There is also a unique mode known as “curfew mode” that allows you to program the door to lock and unlock at certain time.

Unfortunately there is only one size (7 x 6.69 inches with a 10 LBS weight limit) and it only runs via a single 4C cell battery, which will last approximately 1 year.

In terms of fitting the door, It can be installed to doors, windows and walls with the mounting adapter used for the installation. Overall, it is one of the best looking examples of an automatic dog door and available in white or brown but the lack of sizes may be an issues for those with large or medium dog breeds.

BarksBar Original Plastic Dog Door

For those on a strict budget and want a cheap dog door, the BarksBar plastic dog door is ideal. It has a 2 way locking sliding panel and telescoping frame and is available in two sizes, with the dimensions as followed:

• Medium – 7 by 11 1/4 inches for dogs up to 100 LBS
• Large – 10 1/2 by 15 inches for dogs up to 100 LBS

Compared against the other cheaper alternatives, the BarksBar model does not actually look cheap. It is a stylish modern design that will compliment any home decor.

Overall, it is a cheap dog door that is easy to install and available in two different sizes. It is as simple as it gets in terms of dog doors with no complicated flap system, electronics and other features.

Doggie Door Buying Guide

Dog doors are becoming just as popular around the house to the cat door alternatives. They come in a range of formations from door to wall mounted doors with some being electronic. Often referred to as “doggie doors”, they are available in a range of sizes to suit certain dog breeds.

There are three main reason why many homeowners will refuse to use a dog door and they have been somewhat improved over the last decade or so. They include energy efficiency, security and of course the installation. Below is a buying guide that will overcome your doubts about dog doors and hopefully answer any of your queries.

Energy Efficiency

It is fairly obvious that if you cut a whole in your door or wall, you are going to reduce your household energy efficiency. From extra heat entering the house in the summer resulting in the air conditioning working extra hard to the coldness in the winter requiring extra heating. Therefore, the dog door that you purchase needs to have some sort of feature that helps keep it insulated.

An airtight seal is one of many features that needs to be perfect to maintain efficiency and is easily achieved with magnets on the top, bottom and side of the flap shutting it tight. On top of this, many dog doors for cold weather will include multiple flaps. These help keeps the flap insulated and reduce cold weather coming into the house.

If energy efficiency is a big part of your reason not to get a doggie door, be sure that the above features are present and then there will be nothing to worry about.

Security of Dog Doors

An obvious cause for concern is security because if there is no lock present, anybody could get into your house. However, almost all dog doors these days have some sort of locking features with many electronic dog doors having automatic locks and others having manual deadlocks.

Installing Dog Doors

Fitting a dog door to your wall or mounted in your door may seem difficult without any research but its not actually that bad. Including with the majority of doggie doors are instructions, hardware and a cutting template, which ensure installation goes smoothly.

If you are not a DIY person, it is a straightforward job for any professional and will take them less than an hour in the majority of cases. However, before even thinking about cutting into your door or wall, be sure to that your dog fits through it easily and that your measurements (how to below) are correct.

Measuring Your Dog For The Door

Before purchasing any door, its crucial that you measure your dog and not simple guess because you may be disappointed. When it comes to the measurement, many people find it confusing but it is the widest and tallest features of your dog. Therefore, measure as followed:

1. Width Measurement – either the chest or hips
2. Height Measurement – top of the shoulders to the bottom of the belly

Once you have got these measurements, you should then add 2 inches as this will ensure its comfortable to get through the doggie door. However, you may add to wish a larger amount for large dog breeds.

Wall or Door Mounted

Choosing where you want your dog door to be located is dependent upon your home setup and personal preference. Clearly, the door mounted route is the easier installation and there is no requirement of a tunnel extension. On top of this, wall mounted dog doors will require much more effort dependent upon the thickness of the wall and these are all factors you need to consider.

Electronic Dog Door

An electronic dog door is becoming much more popular due to the advancements of smart technology within the home. The setup is fairly simple and includes a dog door with an electronic sensor and your dog having a sensor. Once the dog is a specified distance away from the electronic dog door, it will automatically open and close itself.

There are various sensors that can be used such as a microchip, magnetic force, RFID signals, ultrasonic wave and other less common methods. You may have to pay a premium for an electronic dog door but they are certainly worth the extra.

Conclusion

Doggie doors provide a range of benefits including convenience for you and the dog, comfort for the dog and the thought that they can use the toilet outside whenever they feel and much more. We highly recommend that you invest into the best dog door that you can because at the end of the day, you will be cutting into your door or wall, which will be on display in your house all the time. The last thing you would want is a nasty looking dog door that breaks after a few months of usage. All of the recommendations above are top rated and suited to meet a range of requirements and budgets.

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