How to Make Your Own Doggie Door

Having a dog as part of your family is sheer joy. There is nothing like the devotion of a canine companion, and when you have one that lives happily in the house as well as outside, it is a slice of heaven. Potty--trained canines will do everything possible to avoid having an indoor accident, but even the best trained dog is happy to have free access to the outdoors with the use of a doggie door. This article will give you some tips on how to build a simple doggie door to allow your canine companion free access to come and go.

Things You'll Need

  • Power Tools
  • Screws
  • Weatherstripping
  • Heavy-Duty Plastic
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Instructions

    • 1

      Begin by choosing the site for your doggie door. The best place is the lower edge of a glass sliding door or the lower segment of a door that already has a glass window or wooden panel in it. But even if you have a solid wooden door, you can still make it work. It is mostly a matter of where it will be most convenient for your dog to come in and out and where it will not be unsightly or a security issue.

    • 2

      Create your door by cutting your opening. This can be done by removing the pane of glass or panel of wood or by taking a jigsaw and cutting an opening that you have pre-measured to the size of your dog. Make sure the edges are dry and smooth.

    • 3

      Cut your heavy-duty all-weather plastic to fit the size of the opening you have created. It needs to be slightly longer than the doorway you have cut. Using your power tools, screw the top of this plastic flap onto the top of your door.

    • 4

      Apply your weatherstripping along the edges of the door you have created. You will need to apply this to both the inside, the outside and the edges of your doggie door. You will need to use both screws and glue to apply the weatherstripping.

    • 5

      Coax your dog to come through his new door several times to make sure the plastic flap is working properly. If you have done a successful job, the plastic will fall against the bottom of the door whenever the dog has pushed his way through, keeping drafts and weather from entering the house.