Do It Yourself Dog Door

Give Fido the opportunity to let himself out whenever he needs to by installing a dog door. This not only saves dog owners from having to constantly take the dog out, it also keeps the dog from having to hold it in all day while his owner is away. Most home improvement shops and hardware shops have dog door installation kits to make installing a dog door that much easier.

  1. Size

    • Perhaps the most important aspect of a dog door is its size. Ensure it is large enough for your dog. Do not rely on the size chart on the box. Measure the shoulder height of your dog and compare it with the dog door. Do not be afraid to take the dog door out of the box and measure it against your dog to make sure it can comfortably go through the dog door.

    Selecting Dog Door Location

    • Most people put the dog door in traditional wooden kitchen doors, but it can easily be installed on glass or metal doors and even aluminum panels or through a wall. Experts say it is best to install the door on the wall for added stability, but it will cost more to cut a portion out of your wall than it would be cut a door.

    Installing the Door

    • Wear safety goggles as you will be drilling and sawing wood or metal. Ensure the frames line up properly by marking where they should go on the wall or door before affixing the frames permanently. Have a friend help you line up the frames on both sides of the door.

    Safety

    • Ensure you have a secure outside area whether through a fence or the use of an invisible fence collar. Additionally, use the security plate that comes with most kits when you are away for an extended time. It is also a good idea to engage the security plate at night to prevent animals from coming in and your dog going out in the middle of the night.

    Getting the Dog to Use the Door

    • The dog will not automatically know what to do with the dog door. Encourage your dog to go through the door with treats and praise. You can even keep the flap open until the dog gets the hang of going through the opening and eventually you can put the flaps down.