Pet Doors

Electronic Dog Doors: Keeping Your Dog In, Keeping the Weather Out

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

There’s one thing that works against traditional dog doors: if an animal is chasing or following our dog, it can do so even inside our house. The advent of electronic dog doors has brought in inexplicable convenience and security to our dogs at home. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t buy the first electronic pet door that you find without first doing at least some basic research on the types of electronic dog doors available in the market so that you can get the best one for your dog.

Types of Electronic Dog Doors

There are two basic types of electronic pet doors: the one that is activated by motion sensors and the one that is activated by electromagnetic sensors. The first type can actually tell the difference between a dog and a human from the type of motions they make, while the second one can detect the electromagnetic signals of a collar that your dog has to wear.

While both types work very well, the one that works with an electromagnetic field is the only one that can guarantee you that no other animal will be able to get inside your house.

The Benefits

Just because they use electronics, that doesn’t mean that electronic dog doors are difficult to install. They are tamper proof and offer maximum security by keeping intruders and stray pets at bay. There are even a few models that will let you select to leave the door temporaly open or closed.

How to Choose an Electronic Dog Door

Always ask about different models in several stores or online before making a purchase since you might find one that has a feature that will be extremely useful and practical in your case. The height of the dog, the ease of handling, the customizability with respect to entry and exit and the activation methodology are a few major factors that need intent consideration before placing the order.

The main advantage of electronic dog doors over regular ones is that they keep other animals out of the house. They are also a good choice in areas where there’s a lot of rain or snow, since they will keep those outside too. Always consider the size of your dog when looking at electronic pet doors.

How the Electronic Pet Door Makes Your Life Easier

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

An electronic dog door is powered by batteries, by connecting it to an electrical outlet, or by a mix of both. This door uses state of the art technology in order to give your pet a greater degree of freedom. The door has detectors that can sense the presence of a special collar that your pet has to wear, and will open only when this collar approaches. This will keep other animals and potential crooks from entering the house. Naturally, these types of automatic dog doors are more expensive, but their benefits justify it.

Unlike regular pet doors, automatic pet doors will let your dog come in and go out whenever it wants, but unlike regular pet doors, they will not only keep other animals out, but also water from rain and dust from the street. In addition, while a regular dog door will let your dog in too, only the automatic dog door will close and lock after your dog is inside, maybe saving it from attacks from other dogs or mean children.

How They Function

The specific design may vary from model to model, but they all usually work on the same principle. It works by either using an infra-red or a magnetic electronic frequency transmission which is sent from a collar or tag worn by the pet and which signals the door to open.

The door will automatically open after the dog passes through and it will lock until the dog returns to pass through again. Some models also include a remote control which allows the owner to open and close the door and leave it like that, regardless of the dog’s movements.

A electronic pet door has sensors that can even detect the size of the being that approaches it, telling human from animal, and thus it won’t open for burglars, even if they somehow get hold of the collar.

Cost

Most are reasonably priced starting at around $40 dollars but depending on the various features selected they can cost up to $700 dollars

Other features include battery back up and different locking options.

The electronic dog door is powered by normal electrical current or by batteries. It locks after the dog comes in, keeping animals and rain outside. Depending on your specificelectronic pet door model, you may get different features.

Installing a Doggy Door: A Good Idea?

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

For dog owners who live in their own houses, installing a doggie door on a door that connects the house to the backyard is a way to give their dog some independence of movement. People who have a sliding glass door might think that they are out of luck when thinking about putting in a doggy door, but that is not the case. In fact, there are not one, but two types of doggie doors that can be installed on glass doors without the risk of breaking them or making them fragile.

Kinds of Doggie Doors

Doggie doors that can be installed on glass doors are the panel door and the door within a door. The first type is a door that measure the same as the sliding door, and while it reduces the space that people have to get out, it works as a normal doggie door otherwise.

The door within the door requires that a hole be cut in the glass so that the door for the pet can be installed

In addition to dog doors that can be installed on glass doors, there are also other types that work on regular doors, like the automatic slider doggie doors. These doors are suited for larger breeds of dogs since they are designed to open the entire door for the dog to pass through at will. However, the most common type of doggie door installed in regular wooden doors is the flap door, which has to be pushed open by the dog and can be opened both ways.

Due to the popularity of doggie doors, manufacturers are always trying to come up with new types of doggie doors, such as the sash doors and the door mounts. With so many options available in the market, a dog owner should have no problem finding the doggy door that adapts to his or her needs and budget, and for his or her dog too, of course.

Installing a doggie door is very easy and practical. They can even be installed in glass doors. You can pretty much install a doggy door in any kind of door.

The Advantages of Dog Flaps

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

Dog doors are very practical solutions for dog owners who are too busy and can’t afford to get up and go open the door every time the dog wants to come in or go out. Thus, they allow dog owners to continue with their activities interrupted so that when they finish they can dedicate some quality time to their pets.

Kinds of Dog Doors

The very common ones include plastic dog doors, metal doors, glass doors, and electronic dog doors

Plastic doors can be transparent so your dog can see what’s outside or inside and avoid bumping into people. This may prove to be disadvantageous since this would allow anyone to have a look indoors. Metal doors are the most resistant, but they might be too heavy for your dog to push open and they tend to make noise with time.

Glass doors are prefered by people who want something transparent. The most modern and technologically advanced of them all by far is the electronic dog door. These have a remote key attached to their collar that enables automatic opening and closing of the door using magnets.

Tips on How to Get the Most Appropriate Dog Door

Take your priorities into consideration first. Some people don’t like transparent dogs because they don’t want outsiders to see into their houses, while others believe that the extra sunlight is a welcome addition. Never buy a dog door without comparing it to the actual measurements of the dog, since replacing it will usually be difficult and expensive. Although it might sound obvious, some dog owners buy doors for their puppies and forget that they will outgrow them in very little time.

Training of the dog to use the door is pretty simple. If you show him how to use it for a couple of times, he is likely to pick it up. If you have the money, always get a professional to install the door.

For some people, dog doors means no interruptions when cooking, sleeping, or watching TV. They allow your dog to go to the yard by itself. When comparing dog doors, consider your dog’s size above all.

Why Get a Dog Door

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

If you have a dog, you might be trying to figure out how to foster his or her independence. For example, it can be very annoying to have to wake up at 5 AM because your dog needs to go out. By installing a dog door for your pet, it will be able to go outside and come back at any time, without interrupting your sleep or any other activity you might be in the middle of.

When buying a dog door, there are several factors that you should really take into account: some of them are the following.

Safety Measures

When getting a dog door installed, there are a few things to consider. If you have a small dog, you will not have to worry as much about the safety of this little door for your pup. However, large breeds will need corresponding large dog doors so that they can come in comfortably. The bigger the dog door is, the easier it makes it for a burglar to try to use it to get into your house. There are even some thieves that will try to reach for the door lock through the small dog doors.

When you look for a dog door, make sure to mention these points to the different sellers you talk to. Your local pet supply store should have information to help you make your decision based on safety.

Considering your Dog

It is also important to check to make sure your pet can actually navigate the door. If the dog can’t use it, there’s simply no point in getting that door in specific; that includes not only the size of the door, but also the dog being able to open it. This last part is sometimes overlooked and then owners have to replace the door at a bigger expense.

Getting a dog door is very convenient. No more getting up at night to let your dog out urgently. When buying a dog door always see that your dog can fit through it and open it before purchasing it.

Cat Doors: An Overview

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

If you decide to have a house cat you may want to consider investing in one or two cat flaps depending on the size of your house. They are very practical because they give more freedom to your cat while at the same time saving you the trouble of opening the door every single time.

However, they are complicated enough to install that you want a professional do the job for you in order to ensure that the cat flap will be well installed and that it won’t let water in when it rains.

Careful with Burglars

When fitting cat flaps it is also important to think about the security of your house, and by careful positioning of the cat flap you will ensure that you do not compromise the security in anyway. That why a lot of people prefer to place cat doors in the lowest part of their doors, which also lets the car get in the house by walking through it, instead of having to jump or climb.

Cat flaps are not considered to be big enough for a burglar to be able crawl through, but obviously they are a good size for a potential thief to get his hand through and gain access to your keys if you leave them dangling in the lock, or close by on the side

Other Cats in the Area

Pay attention; although burglars and thieves can’t go inside your house using cat doors, other cats in the neighborhood will have no problem whatsoever, and you might not want that. If you want to avoid this situation, you can do so by getting a cat flap that is activated with a collar worn by your cat, thus making sure that it will only open for your ct.

These doors are locked by magnets, which are rendered inactive by the presence of your cat’s collar; however, they will keep the door shut even if another cat tries to push it.

cat flaps will let your cat come in and out as it pleases without your help. If installed properly, they won’t represent a safety risk. There are even some cat doors that will only open for your cat.

What Is a Cat Door?

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

A cat door is often installed in a home with a cat. This type of door is also known as a cat flap. The idea of a cat door is to let a car come in and out without the owner opening the door. These doors have been improved greatly from the time they were invented. These days, pet doors are framed with sturdy and versatile plastic or wood. The doors will resist wear and tear caused by the animal using them. There are aspects of an ideal type of cat door which a cat owner should look out for when choosing one.

Size and Form

When you buy a cat flap, consider the breed and size of your cat. Some breeds, like the American maine coon cat, are too big for some doors, while small breeds might not be able to push open some doors due to lack of strength. The frame that accommodates the door for the cat should be made of strong material in order to last several years and withstand outside factors such as prying and banging.

Some cat doors are built in glass while others are installed through walls. Of course, both the door and the frame should be appropriate to the size and the strength of the cat.

Electronic Or Magnetic

These cat doors work in coordination with the cat. Some doors can detect the approach of the cat through the electronic collar that it’s wearing. This gives the advantage of allowing only the cat that’s wearing the collar to go inside the house. This is very beneficial if the cat’s being chased by dogs or by other cats. Of course, if for some reason the collar fails, then the cat has to wait for the owner to let it in. In other types of doors, the trap will open by detecting the presence of the cat itself, and not a collar. Since the features of each cat door vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and from model to model, it pays to find specific information about them before making a purchasing decision.

cat door is a very practical idea. This will let the cat come and go by itself. You can even get a cat flap that will open only for your cat.

Choosing an Automatic Pet Door for Your Pet

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

When a family goes on vacation, they want to relax and forget about their obligations, including taking care of the pet or taking the pet to an expensive pet hotel (assuming they can find one). But, by installing an automatic pet door, the family can leave knowing that it’s not necessary for someone to be at home letting Fido in an out whenever it’s necessary.

Where to See an Atomatic Pet Door

Most times when someone buys an automatic pet door they buy an automatic dog door. Dogs need to go in and out of a house constatly due to their nature. It would not be unusual to see an automatic pet door being used in neighborhoods where crime is low.

With an automatic pet door, the dog wears a collar that can open the door and let the pet in. This collar is programmed by the manufacturer or even the retailer, and it is usually sold in the same store, often at a discount. Also, if you have a cat and you let it go and come as it pleases, you can also make it wear a collar to open the door. This works perfectly on cats that spends most of the time outside the house but come back to eat anyway.

In addition to normal use, if a burglar gets past the dog and breaks into inside the house, the system will allow the dog to follow him into the house.

Installing a automatic dog door is very easy; all you need to do is mount it or get it mounted on a door that faces the outside. Usually it means the back door, but a patio door or a garage door can be selected. Sometimes it is best to shop around for these things to make sure that you aren’t overpaying for something especially in these times of economic turmoil.

An automatic pet door is a very practical thing. It will save you from opening and closing the door for your pet hundreds of times. In addition, an automatic dog door lets your dog chase a thief both inside and outside your house.