Dog Door recommendations?

[MsM]

I am considering putting in a doggie door for my two dogs. I am thinking of putting it through the wall in the bedroom. That would end up about 30" above ground outside, so a ramp would be necessary. Dogs are 12-15" tall, 20-25#. Then I would have a small chain link enclosure. The yard is also surrounded by stockade fencing, but I wouldnt want them out there loose when I am away.

They currently stay in the bedroom when I am out and this has been fine. But I would like the option of them having access to outside to potty when I am gone all day. And they wouldnt have to wake me early on the weekends! (But may do that anyway…) Back door wont work as I dont really want them in the kitchen and that door leads out onto the deck.

Any input on these ideas? I am looking a brands of doors and the Hale door seems very well made, if a bit $$$. But if I’m installing something in my wall, I want it to be worthwhile!

[MsM]

Really? Nobody has opinions on doggie doors?

[Bluey]

Well, you could build a little deck outside and steps down from it, so they would not have to go up or down a ramp right as they use the door.

I have the gray transparent plastic ones and they seem to do the job just fine.
I have one on the screen door from the bedroom to the little sunroom and one of those you insert in the sliding door to the yard.
Why that system?
We have rattlers and mice and the little glass sunroom acts as an airlock of sorts.
I leave the main bedroom door open just enough for the dog to hit the screen door dog door, or close it when I don’t want dog outside.

There are so may options, your imagination is the limit here.

[Wayne]

I have the Hale dog door installed in a wall and have been very happy with it. It has double doors which don’t allow as much cold air to come into the house. I have had it for 6 years and it has held up very well. Three whippets and a cat use it and no animals have come into the house. It’s a bit of a drop down to the lawn so I made a couple of steps with cement blocks to make it easier for them to get out of the house and back in.

[Houndhill]

I have had several Hale doors and like them, my Irish Wolfhounds are hard on dog door flaps! Definitely get the double flap, more weatherproof and doesn’t tear so easily. Another brand that has worked well is Security Boss, comparable to Hale, maybe a little less $$$ and better replacement flap policy.

Some people love the saloon-type doors, can’t think of the brand name, also pricey but chew proof. Not large enough for my biggest hounds but you should not have that issue.

All of these do come with a locking panel so you can close it off. I love dog doors, we have two in the house and three in the kennel. Two in the kennel need replacement flaps, I have been known to use truck mud flaps, car floor mats, etc. temporarily until I can get replacements.

You will hear the magnets when the door opens and closes. I think the saloon type is quieter.

[Houndhill]

The saloon type door I mentioned is called Plexidoor.

I can also tell you many brands that did not work for us for various reasons, I have tried about everything. For what I have spent on dog doors over the years, I could no doubt hire someone to let them in and out all day! But it is great to give them the choice to be in or out (in an enclosed area) and makes house training much easier. I have had few unwanted guests, only one squirrel (brought in the house live, unharmed, I managed to rescue it from five wolfhounds and release it unharmed! Amazing!) and one black snake, also rescued.

A friend’s springer did bring her sprinkler into the house and it sat there, sprinkling the family room all day.

But I think you will be happy with your arrangement. You will need to put a gate in the enclosure, of course, to get into it to scoop, etc., unless you can fit through the dog door. You might consider putting a door in your bedroom and putting the dog door in that, it might be more convenient.

[MsM]

Thanks this is really helpful. If I punch a hole in my house, I want to make sure I am using something decent. Sounds like it is worth the extra money to get a better door. Will look into the other brands mentioned.
My only other real option is a thru the door doggie door that would go out to the deck. Good thing would be easier installation and removal for sale if needed. Bad thing is dogs would have to be in kitchen or whole house(probably okay now that they are older, but I worry about making sure they cant get into anything dangerous) and that I would have to do some creative fencing of the deck and an area near it to keep them secure outside - way more fencing.

Other option is the thru the wall in the bedroom. Good part is that they are used to staying in the bedroom and I can close off the rest of the house. There is an appropriate area for a small outside run. Bad part is the hole-in-the-wall issue and the fact that the floor level is about 28" above the outside ground level. Have a guy who is giving me an estimate on installation cost…

[Lone]

I used the petsmart brand one at my last house and really liked it. I did install it in a door though, not the wall FWIW. The one I bought had two plastic flaps with magnets on the bottom and piece of insulation in between. I used it in MT where the winters were pretty cold and never noticed a draft coming from it and the magnets held it closed in all but the strongest winds. I used it for 2 years before I moved and it held up great

[MissCapitalSplash]

The bite guard kennelplex dog doors are hands down the best! We have them in the kennel, both the two door style and the traditional style, and they are gorgeous, quiet, and sturdy. You can get locking versions too. I am thinking of putting one in my house too. I like the two door ones for smaller dogs.
http://www.biteguardkennelplex.net/

[Bluey]

Home Depot sells outside rated steel doors with an already installed dog door.
That is what I have in my garage standard, “people” door.

That could be an option if you decide to have a dog door where you already have a door.

Inside the house, you could use dog gates to keep dogs where you want them.

[Houndhill]

MissCapital, what is the difference between the Biteguard and regular Plexidoor? I see they are made by the same company, but I can’t find the Biteguard in Xlarge. Still not sure the xlarge would be big enough for the big male IWs, the Hale and Security Boss are 30" tall vs 23" on the Plexidoors, but I am tempted…

[Chall]

Hands down Solo pet doors.
http://www.solopetdoors.com/features.htm

Quality, heavy duty engine, fits many types of doors, including patios, has an adjustable timer and adjustable distance sensor. My cats love it and it keeps other cats and guarantteed raccoon proof. I’ve seen them being chased and this is their life line.

The guy must make them all himself, he seems to know all his customers off the top of his head when you call.