Author: Brad Algar

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Train you dog to use a dog door in ten minutes or less.

I had to train my lab to use his new dog door after installing a door mount dog door into my exterior door last Sunday. My lab learned how to use his dog door in less than ten minutes. Training him to use his dog door was simple and this is how he learned to use his dog door, step by step.

1.  I let my dog investigate the new dog door that I just installed into my exterior door. I let him sniff the new door both inside and out until he becomes comfortable with the dog door.

2.  The Freedom Pet Pass dog door has a both a pet flap and U shaped bridge. The U shaped bridge seals to the pet flap and seals itself to the frame creating the airtight seal. I wrapped a plastic shopping bag around the bottom of the bridge flap and wrapped the plastic bag around the door handle to suspend the bridge flap in the air. This allows the canvas coated pet flap to swing freely.

3.  I grabbed his favorite squeaky toy which happens to be a football and went outside leaving him inside. I called him then squeezed his toy. He didn’t know what to do other than bark. That is normal. I then lifted the pet flap so he could see me and the toy and he walked right through. I held the pet flap up and did not allow the pet flap to hit his backside as he passed through. I will do that shortly. I praised him for a job well done and repeated this from the inside of my home. I did this two times outside and two times inside.

4.  I repeated step three twice this time allowing the flap to drag across his back so he could feel the pet flap and become comfortable feeling the pet flap drag along his back as he passed through. Again, I praised him every time he passed through the pet flap.

5.  Now he is ready to use the pet door with the U shaped bridge in place. I untied the plastic bag holding the U shaped bridge in place and let the pet door seal. I went outside and basically repeated steps 3 and 4 coaxing him to come through and praising him when he did. The first time he came through I crack open the pet flap help him. After one time in and out he knew what to do.

This method to train my dog to use his new dog door took less than ten minutes and it was fun. Remember to praise your pet and be patient. I hope this helps you train your dog to use their new dog door.

Did you use a different method to train your dog to use their dog door? What did you do different?

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My lab loves his new door mount dog door!

My six month old Labrador and retriever mix Dupree loves his new dog door! I installed the dog door this past Sunday into my exterior storm door. Dupree is the first dog I have owned and I am a first time dog door owner. I am going to tell you what I have noticed in just a few days.

Before installing the dog door I would keep my lab gated in the entrance while I was gone. Often times I am gone for more than 5 hours at a time and sometimes when I stopped home to let him out to go to the bathroom I would find that he already did. I know he is potty trained and he is very smart. I could tell this upset him more than it upset me. He just couldn’t hold it long enough to wait for me to come home.

After I let him out he then would go crazy wanting to play and was desperate for mental stimulation because he had been kenneled for many hours. I don’t blame him. I love giving him attention but boy was he wound up and full of energy. It would take a while to calm him down, even after a long walk.

Again, my lab is potty trained, but sometimes he would still pee in the house. Mainly because I would forget to let him out regularly. I could tell again that he felt bad because of it however he had to go. He would pee on the carpet and run right to bed.

I understand many of his accidents inside the house and crazy behavior is due to how busy and sometimes inattentive I am at times. Aren’t we all though? Aren’t we all extremely busy these days and if there is something that can solve a problem and add value to our livings aren’t we open to learning more? I am. Just as my lab wants to be a good dog, I want to be a good dog owner and provide for him a happy lifestyle because he sure makes me happy.

I new a dog door was the answer and I purposely lived with my dog for a few months before installing it to create my own story. My own testimonial. I wanted to put myself in the shoes of dog lovers and owners everywhere to see what it is like having a relationship with a dog. That’s kinda what it is right? I mean your living with your dog, spending time together, and taking care of eachother. Here is what I noticed right away after installing the dog door.

I was curious as to how long it would take my lab to learn how to use the dog door and wether or not he would understand its purpose. Took him about 10 minutes of training and it was fun! I’ll write about that later. It was so easy.

Since dog door installation not a single mess inside to clean up. He comes and goes on his terms and he loves it. I can tell. Sounds strange but I can.

When I come home from a long day. (I say long day because there is no longer a need to rush home mid day or twice a day to let my dog out.) He is suprisingly calm. Still very excited to see me. He just doesn’t go crazy like he used to. He seems very content.

I watch him sometimes when he is out there and he runs, plays, and digs and I know when I get home he is calm because he had a fun mentally stimulating day outdoors.

Didn’t mention this earlier, but my lab used to scratch the door to come indoors. Not anymore. So if you have a nice exterior door it is worth the investment because otherwise your dog will scratch up your exterior door.

Overall my lab is much happier now that he has a dog door and I am also. It sure is fun right now watching him get up off the couch to go outdoors and then come in when he is done. That just cracks me up.

I will keep you posted about what else I notice but I just had to tell everyone how happy my lab is with his new dog door.

Do you have a dog door story to share? I would love to hear it!

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How do I train my dog to use my doggie door?

Training your dog to use a doggie door is simple. The most common method of training a dog to use a doggie door is really just a matter of showing the dog the dog door, then putting yourself on one side of the dog door and your dog on the other and enticing him through by calling him or holding a treat.

Of course, when he does come through, reward him with the treat and spend a few minutes petting and playing with him before repeating the exercise. Many dogs will catch on in just a few minutes. Others will take a day or two. For the slower learners, try coaxing him through the dog door from both inside and outside of the house. If he seem very confused, try propping the door open at first, then lower it when he seems to understand what it’s for. Keep the whole exercise positive, be sure not to push your dog through the dog door or otherwise turn it into an unpleasant experience, and eventually he’ll get the idea.

To read an article I published on wikihow about training your dog to use a dog door click here

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My dog is chewing my walls! I need a dog door!

Recently I adopted a beautiful Labrador retriever mix from an organization called H.A.T.S. His name is Dupree and he is a great puppy, most of the time. Lately my dog has been chewing my walls and I think I need a dog door.

This is my first dog and I have been taking care of him for about five weeks now and I am looking forward to installing my own dog door later this week. This experience has really helped me understand why so many people are buying and installing dog doors. Here are a few of his behaviors I am noticing  pre dog door installation:

  • My dog scratches my new storm door when he wants to go outside.
  • My dog is out of control when I come home if I am gone more than a couple of hours.
  • My dog always finds something to chew other than his chew toys. This dog chews walls!!

It almost seems as if he is very bored and is finding anything possible to do to keep his mind and body stimulated.

I know from research and customer feedback that dog doors help to remedy these problems and provide even more benefits to the pet and pet owner. Now I get to see it first hand once my dog is using his new dog door.

So I have addressed some behaviors I have noticed in Dupree before dog door installation. Here are a few behaviors I have noticed in myself since taking care of Dupree.

  • To be honest, I don’t enjoy getting up every hour or so to let him out either. I didn’t mind at first but after a while it becomes a chore. I don’t want to feel that way and I want us to enjoy living together. I mean, that’s what we are kind of doing. We are living together sharing a living space. I love this dog and I want him to be as happy as he can be and If he wants to go outside all of the time I want to give him that opportunity.
  • It is challenging to schedule my day knowing I need to be near the house every four hours or so to let my dog out. Often times I have to rush home to let my dog out. My girlfriend helps me a great deal, however, sometimes she will be working all day too.
  • When we (my girlfriend and I) do come home after an being gone for a while our dog acts crazy! He is so full of excitement and misbehaves to the point we typically have to kennel him back into the kitchen so we can eat and relax. That doesn’t make sense at all. That is a lose lose for us and Dupree. I want to spend time with him when I am home.
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My dog keeps chewing up my dog door flap!

Mischievous dogs will chew up anything. I know first hand because my yellow lab puppy who we call Dupree chewed up my wall this afternoon while I was out. For dessert he chewed on some wires leading into the gas water heater! Now my dog keeps chewing up my dog door flap

So, how do you stop your dog from chewing on your dog door. Actually, your dog is probably chewing up the pet flap causing it to leak air and allow bugs into the house. Unless you buy an indestructible metal dog door a dog that chews will find a way to chew any type of pet flap out there. Here is the best answer I can give you and it has worked every time for all of our customers. Buy some Habanero Pepper (this can be found in the spice section of most stores) and some Vaseline. Combine the Habenero Pepper and Vaseline and smear it directly to the pet flap including all the areas your dog has tried to chew and others that our vulnerable to chewing. One taste of this and problem solved!

You can try this on anything your dog chews and this will work. Let me know if this helps and if you have any other tips or suggestions on how to stop your dog from chewing on the doggy door.

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Will a drafty pet door that leaks air raise my energy bill this winter?

YES!! A drafty pet door that leaks air into or out of your home will raise your energy bill. Even more so if you live in a climate that has extreme hot or cold weather throughout the year. With cold weather right around the corner you might be looking for the best pet door for winter. Read this taken directly from the Energy Star website:

More than any other time of year, you notice your home’s air leaks in the winter. Most people call these air leaks “drafts.” You may feel these drafts around windows and doors and think these leaks are your major source of wasted energy. In most homes, however, the most significant air leaks are hidden in the attic and basement. These are the leaks that significantly raise your energy bill and make your house uncomfortable.

If your looking the best pet door for the winter months be certain to find one that seals and allows zero air infiltration. It is a fact that Freedom Pet Pass pet doors reduces air infiltration over 190% better than the competition and reduces thermal loses by 35%. An Energy Star home sealing engineer tested the Freedom Pet Pass against the worlds best selling pet door to find this out and more… read full report