The Good and Bad of Doggie Doors

Wouldn’t it be nice if your dog could let himself out, rather than interrupting you in the middle of your favorite TV show to let you know it’s potty time? Or, if he gets bored while you’re away, how comforting would it be to know he can go play outside in the security of your fenced yard rather than curb his boredom by chewing on your most expensive shoes? Having a doggie door may be the answer! But, before you rush to have one installed for Fido, let’s go over the good and bad of this convenient and affordable outdoor access solution.

doggy door

The Good

 

  • A doggie door gives your dog the freedom to come and go as he pleases to do his business, get some fresh air and play in an open area.
  • Having an available larger space to play means Fido is less likely to get bored and partake in destructive behavior inside your home.
  • If you’re away from home for long periods of time, you won’t have to worry about your dog having to hold “it” or have an indoor accident.
  • If you have a doggie door for Fido and you introduce a new puppy to the family, Fido will likely teach the newbie how to be potty trained with the doggie door in no time at all.
  • In the event of a house fire, Fido has an easy out to escape danger.

The Bad

 

  • Unwanted intruders, such as outdoor cats, rodents, raccoons and people, can crawl through a doggie door.
  • If Fido is vocal and tends to bark when outside, your neighbors likely won’t be too happy if you install a doggie door.
  • So Fluffy the feline wants to use the doggie door, too? She can bring her “kill” into your house. And if her “kill” isn’t actually dead, you may have a snake or mouse running under your sofa!
  • A pool in your fenced yard and a doggie door can be an open invitation for Fido to take a swim unsupervised and get your floors and furniture wet. It may also increase your pet’s chances of an accidental drowning.
  • If you reside in an area where coyotes and other wild life can threaten your pets, a doggie door likely isn’t a good idea. You will need more control of your dog’s whereabouts, and leaving him outside unsupervised can have terrible results.
  • If Fido is very alpha driven, having a doggie door will only feed his alpha mentality letting him believe he can come and go as he pleases.
  • A dog that is extremely noise sensitive may find a way to escape his fenced yard if he gets a bit freaked out by neighborhood noise.

If you’re considering installing a doggie door, make sure your yard is secure and the gate is always locked. After all, you wouldn’t want Fido hatching a plan to escape through a broken fence board, or have an incident where a neighborhood kid gets nosy and opens the gate. And, as always, in the event Fido does get loose, make sure his ID tag and/or microchip information is up-to-date!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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