How to Make a Doggie Door Safer

This article will describe ways to make dog doors safer for your dog, your house, and you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• money

1. The rubber mat doggie doors are the least safer door. They allow other animals access to your house and gives burglars direct access into your home. If you have this type of dog door, it may be time to replace it.

2. A common fix is to replace the rubber mat with a wood plank on hinges. A slide lock is than placed on the inside of the door so that you can easily lock the doggie door when you are going to bed for the night or you are leaving for the day. The downside is that your dog cannot leave/enter while the door is locked. This means Rover is going to have to stay inside or outside all day. However, this is probably the cheapest way to go.

3. Another option is an electronic doggie door. These doors are triggered to open by a tag that your pet wears. The door than automatically latches again after the pet walks through it. This type of door was showcased on "It Takes a Thief" as the best alternative for keeping thieves out of your house. These are available at most pet stores.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful with some electronic doors. If they are made from flimsy metal, they aren't going to do a particularly good job of keeping burglars out.

Resources

• Pet Smart Door

[Crabcakes]

on 3/16/2009 Good tips! I have never heard of the electronic type before!

[FrazzledNanny]

on 3/6/2009 Great tips. I always wondered how they kept critters out of the doggie door. Now I know, you don't. =D Thanks for the article. 5*