Dogs are curious animals that love spending most of their time outside. Sometimes, when their human cannot take them outside for a walk, they may get nervous and restless. This is why they should have the option to be able to get outside (or into another room) by themselves. If you’re tired of constantly getting up to open the Door for your furry pal, it’s time to consider installing a pet door.

Having a pet door is a great way to make things easier for both you and your pet. Installing pet doors for dogs is not complicated at all – the door consists of a simple frame with a flap that can be installed in a door, built into a wall, or placed in a slider track.

How to Pick The Right Dog Door?

There is a plethora of dog access doors on the market. Before you pick any model, make sure you consider things such as your dog’s size, whether you’ll install the unit into a wall or a door, and of course your budget.

Door-Mounted

The most popular choice in the world of pet doors for dogs is perhaps the one that is most affordable and can be mounted in any door. All you need to do is cut a part of the door (whatever size you need) and place the door into the cut area. These doors are very popular not only for their affordable price but also because they’re easy to install. In case it malfunctions, you can easily fix it by yourself. Most of these pet doors come with clear instructions, so with a little effort, you can install it without any help.

Pick the one that is the best fit for your dog’s size. Your furry pal should be able to walk through it without injuring itself. Your pup will grow fast, so don’t pick small doors that would make it impossible for him to walk in and out in a couple of months. Get a door that is at least 5cm off the ground. As for the height, measure your dog’s feet to its shoulder and add about 5cm to the dimensions as a margin safety.

Keep in mind that your dog will easily learn that he is free to use the door whenever he wants. Make sure that you get additional options to lock the door whenever you don’t want your pet to leave your home.

Wall-Installed

Many people decide to install a dog door into a wall, which will only let the dog into the specific room they allow it to be. This way you can take your dog out of the room without having to let it outside. To install it, you’ll need to make a hole into the designated wall and install the pet door frame and flap. If the wall is deep, you will have to add a tunnel. We don’t suggest you do this project on your own, because it takes a lot of work that can only be done by a professional. Unless you have the proper tools for the job and have experience in doing it, leave this matter to a skilled professional.

Wall-installed doors can have just one flap or you can add flaps to both sides of the wall. Keep in mind that the larger the door, the more it will cost you. Also, drilling a hole in the wall means permanent damage to that wall. If you live in a rented home, you might not be allowed to perform such projects.

Electronic Dog Doors

These types of doors will open and close when the dog moves. The dog’s microchip located in his collar will communicate to the sensors of the door. Both the collar and the door come together. Once the dog approaches the electronic dog door, it will open up. When it locks, it locks entirely so no other unwanted outside guests (stray dogs or cats) can walk into your home.

These doors can memorize the details of maximum 32 chips, which means you can get as many collars as there are pets in your household. An electronic doggie door uses batteries that last for around one year. These doors can be installed on doors, walls and windows.

Patio Dog Doors

If you want to go with a patio dog door, you won’t have to cut the door since these units become part of the house. The dog door can fit into the panel – all you need to do is get the right size for your dog. Panel patios come in various colours, which means you can choose the one that best suits your home’s decor. Most panels have flaps that can endure the elements and close once the dog enters the house. When the movements stop, the flap will lock.

Glass Pet Doors

If you have a glass sliding door or window, go for a door with a self-closing magnetic flap. Sliding doors are transparent so they are much easier to train the dog how to use them. This way your furry friend will be free to get out whenever he needs to. If you live in a rented home and cannot (or don’t want) to cut holes in the walls or doors, this is the best option. You won’t damage the building and can take the door with you when you move. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that is of high-quality, then this is a wonderful choice.

Bottom line is, a door for dogs will change the life of your pet. They will have more freedom to go outside when they most need it or can walk into another area of your home when they want to do their thing. Pick a door that would allow your dog to walk through it freely without injuring himself. Your dog will have more freedom, and you won’t have to get up every time your furry pal wants to leave the room.