Pet Safety Blog

An article in our local TV news and local paper reported an incident involving pet doors that turned out to be very scary, but  interesting and informative.  I wanted to share this information because of an article posted March 5, 2010 (Does Doggie Doors Take Away Togetherness?)   Living away from the hassle of busy cities, some choose to live in the suburbs of large cities for peace and quiet.  However, some areas away from large cities may have wild life wandering around looking for food or water…. pets included.  The population of individuals living in these areas most likely do not think about the unusual circumstance that could possibly occur dealing with wild animals. Something unpleasant or undesirable could happen and no one would be prepared of the possible outcome.

A pet family having several dogs installed a pet door for convenience purposes and worked well for everyone concerned.  One day last week two of the dogs were out in the back yard which was fenced, playing around when a young male mountain lion came up to the fenced yard.  The dogs started barking trying to scare the wild animal away, but the mountain lion jumped the fence and started after the two dogs.  The dogs run back through their pet door trying to get away from the lion, but guess what, the lion went in after them.  The woman of the house was in the area that the lion came into and she ran into another room with an additional dog.  No phone was available, so she quickly ran into the room where the lion was distracted by the two dogs, grabbed the phone and went back into the other room closing the door behind her. She telephone her husband and 911.  The husband hurried home and was able to lead his wife and dog out of the house just as the animal control, police… arrived.  The mountain lion was tranquilized and removed, but not before killing one of the dogs, and injuring the other.  After examining the lion, it was euthanized due to extreme malnutrition.  I am not telling you about this terrible experience to scare or to suggest the pet parent into not installing dog doors,  on the contray, but only to inform you that things do happen.  This was of course an isolated occurrence, and an inconceivable situation to encounter, but I thought it would be worthwhile mentioning to understand that sometime things happen in our daily lives that will leave a mark, never to be forgotten.  Be Happy!

Sometime in every dog’s life, independence is special and rewarding.  When you have to go, you have to go, right?  Well I can understand when pet parents work and leave their dog alone; they have the choice of going in and out of their dog doors when necessary and do not have to wait for their family to come home. This is a good thing.  However, what about if the pet parent is home most of the time and the dog has to go outside?  The look in the doggie’s eyes and gestures they make letting them know it is time to go out and smell the roses, is priceless.  The pet parent has to stop doing whatever it was they were doing, open the door and let the dog out.  Shortly thereafter, there is a slight ‘woof’ letting them know it is time to come back inside.  Once again, the parent has to stop doing what it is they were doing, and let the dog back in.  Is this a routine or what?  Doggies sure know how to train their pet parent with just a slight command, (you did not know Doggies know how to give a command to their parents, did you?)  This is togetherness!

As time goes on and the pet parent becomes wise to what is actually going on, decides it is time to install a dog door for convenience to everyone.  Dog doors are great to have, and this way they will not be bothered with activities they enjoy in their home, and doggie can do their thing all by themselves.  What a relief that will be, no more back and forth, opening and closing the door at doggies command.  This is all fine and dandy, but be prepared to know the correct size of the doggie doors opening so moving through the door will be plenty of room to go back and forth.  Also, keep in mind that if the dog door has not been installed in a safe area, security may then become a problem.  It has been reported that burglar’s may become aware of the door and when no one is at home, bingo, in they crawl (if large door), and when you  return home, you will discover a burglary has taken place.  To safe guard this from happening, make sure your dog is aware of any foreign entry, other than themselves.  It is usually true that dogs can detect danger and want to protect their surroundings.  Pick a safe and perhaps an area protected by natural surroundings.  Be Happy!

Dogs and cats are alone in the home while their pet parents are at work, have gone shopping, or perhaps visiting friends for the evening.  This always presents a problem of hurrying back home to let the dog out. If you have a cat they have their litter box, but doggy has to wait for no telling how long for you to return home.  Maybe you are watching TV or have just sat down to have dinner and your pet wants to go out.  Sometime this can be annoying, but no matter how frustrated you are, it is better to get up and let them out before there is an accident that you do not care to clean up.  Dogs can wait just for so long to relieve themselves and if you had a pet door, they could let themselves out and not have to bother you.  A pet door will allow freedom of coming in and out, and eliminates their urge to go on your carpets or floors.   Again, cats have their litter boxes but they will learn to use the pet door as well as your dog. 

Shop around for what type of pet door you want and in doing so; consider the size and type of door that best suits you and your pet.  Measure the height and weight of your dog in selecting the correct size, your cat will manage.   Measure an inch or two from the floor to the lowest part of their stomach, that way you will know where to place the bottom of the door. Install the door flush to the ground if you have a puppy, and as they grow, heighten to their size gradually.  After installation, a training period will be necessary in teaching them to go in and out by themselves.  Give it some time and never push your dog through the pet doors.  Stand on the outside with a helper on the inside, and gently try to persuade them with a treat to go through, be patient it may take awhile.  Each time your dog goes through the door, tell them what a good doggy they are and give them lots of praise and a treat.  Once they have learned what to do in their training, discontinue giving treats.  Try not to do this more than a dozen times.  By that time, they will know what to do, how to do it, and why they are doing it.  Be Happy!

From the time you brought your new puppy home, training will begin in teaching them to go outside to do their thing.  Puppies seem to want to relieve themselves on the floor when they get excited, especially if you have been playing with them.  They have not learned to control themselves, and there will be a few accidents.  As soon as you can, start taking them outdoors on a regular basis.  This will be hard if the new pet parent works outside the home, so invest in a pet carrier or crate for them to stay in while you are gone, but keep in mind that puppies can only hold it for so long.  Make sure they have enough room to move around and most likely will not soil their bedding, because their birth Mother taught them differently.  Now it is your turn.

 As your puppy grows they will begin to learn how to use the dog door.  This is necessary in every pet parents’ home because once your training time with them is over, you will not have to come home to a messy accident.  These dog doors are affordable and easy to install, and come in different widths and heights to help you decide in which one would best fit your dog.  Don’t forget your cat if you have one, there are pet doors for them too. Security precautions are necessary, and in deciding the location is of utmost importance.  Dog doors can be functional for your dog to go outside, but cannot come back in.  This is a deterrent for possible burglaries and controlled by you.  There are different style doors such as flap doors, and magnetic doors. The magnetic door is controlled by the dog’s collar and can only be accessed by your dog.  This may cost a little more, but the outcome could pay for the cost of the door.  This is a very safe way to control who comes and goes into your home. When it starts to get cold and rainy your dog can go back inside where it is comfortable and dry.  Just be cautious of the size of the dog door you buy.  When you brought your new puppy home, you should already know how big they will be when full grown.  Research dog books and check on the breed that you are interested in determining their size, if you do not already know.  Be Happy!