RANGER Pet Doors
Door-Mount Installation Instructions

Tools required to install a RANGER by Freedom Pet Pass door-mounted pet door into a raised panel door include the following:

Measure your tallest pet to the withers (front shoulders).

Make a mark on the interior side of your human door at least 2” (5 cm) higher (3” / 8 cm if you have the XL dog door) than your tallest pet’s height at the withers. This ensures that your tallest dog will be able to pass through the pet door without putting stress on his or her knees and back. If you can spare it, consider giving a little extra cushion on the height.

Alternatively, if you have done the cardboard cutout test (described in the Sizing section), you can use the cardboard cutout for this step. This is what is shown in the first part of the video in Step 2. Either method gives the same result.

Many people ask, “how far off of the floor should the door be?” This is typically not as important as making sure the top of the door is high enough. Most dogs pick up their legs quite a bit as part of their natural gait, so they can clear many inches without interrupting their stride. For households with tall and short pets, the door should be mounted for ergonomic use by the tallest pet. Shorter pets can be accommodated with something like our Pet Step.

Begin with a good saw and the proper blade installed to cut through your home door application. Use a metal blade for metal doors, a wood blade for wood doors, etc. If possible, use a new blade when cutting the opening. We don’t recommend cutting into your door if it is your first time using a saw.

Start your cut at the back corner and work counter clockwise around the door.

Line up the saw blade with the pencil line and with a good grip on the saw carefully begin your cut.

Once the cut is complete on the inside of the door, flip the door over on the sawhorses (to external side). Use clamps and a bar to secure the cutout in place. You don’t want it dropping through prior to completing the cut.

Use a square to trace in the corners that still need to be cut. Use the saw to make the final cuts in the corners.

Tap out the cut piece to reveal the rough opening. File the edges if needed.

Place the pet door into the hole with the exterior side of the pet door (the side with the flap system) oriented to the exterior side of the door and the hinge of the flap oriented toward the top. Clamp the pet door in place, and flip the door over.

Place the interior frame on the door. Align the interior frame to the rest of the pet door using the locking pin on the top and the bottom middle screw to ensure that the two pieces are mated squarely.

Put the other screws into the other holes, and then carefully tighten. Be careful if using an electric or battery-operated screwdriver, as over tightening can damage the frame. If you’re using a screw gun, consider driving the screws mostly in and tightening the screws with a hand screwdriver.