Dog flap?

[Loubidy]

Hello

My JRT puppy is just about toilet trained now and I would like to fit a cat flap type thing in the back door so she can take herself in and out. There is such a huge variety from basic £6 to fancy £100+ with locks, microchip readers and magnets but all have mixed reviews. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[cauda equina]

We had a Plexidor, it was excellent

 

[ponyparty]

I've had several types over the years, all Petsafe ones.
First one - the solid plastic type - great, didn't blow open, cheap, but noisy - banging to every time he came in or out.
Second one (different house) - the flexible rubber door with magnetic strip to keep it shut when not in use. Except it doesn't keep it shut and lets a freezing cold draught in.
Current one, and the one I hate the most - their "eco friendly" one that's meant to keep warmth in and cold out. Pfft what utter rubbish; it was a nightmare to fit, and absolutely does not do what it says! And was more expensive, of course.

If you're not likely to move house any time soon then I'd say invest in a decent one. That's what we'll do in our next house I think.

 

[skinnydipper]

We had a Plexidor, it was excellent

I'll second that.

 

[Moobli]

I keep thinking I should get a dog flap because currently I leave my cottage door open day and night for the dogs to go in and out, but with a few feet of snow it gets a bit chilly

 

[gunnergundog]

Another vote for Plexidor

 

[ycbm]

We imported an extremely expensive cat flap from the US that guaranteed to be windproof. It is. Let me know if you want me to ask the OH where it came from.

.

 

[AmyMay]

We just have a standard good quality cat flap. However, whilst my dog is free to use it, it’s rare that I don’t follow her out to monitor. I’m far too paranoid to allow her any length of time alone in the garden.

 

[ponyparty]

Yeah, there have been instances of dogs being stolen from gardens. So I guess it depends on your area/garden security - and your dog, to an extent. Anyone trying to steal our dog from the garden would have a job...

The gardener turned up unexpectedly once, on a different day to usual and didn't let us know, so we didn't shut the dog flap. Whoops! Don't think he'll do that again!

I was out, and my other half was on the loo (which for some reason seems to take men at least 30 minutes?!)... he heard F barking, thought he must have seen a cat or something, ignored for a while. Eventually as the barking went on and on he went to see what was happening and the gardener was in a bush, holding his leaf blower in front of him as a shield, with F going absolutely berserk, barking and growling and spinning in circles in front of him

Obviously we apologised profusely but I did say, you MUST let us know you're coming so we can shut the dog in - we had told him before! We've now put a sign on the gate saying "Caution: Dog running loose" just to jog his memory in case he forgets again in future. And that he (probably) wouldn't actually bite, just alert us. I was a bit shaken up though, could have been nasty at worst and at best could have lost us our gardener! Luckily he was cool about it. Good to know the dog wouldn't just let himself be stolen anyway, I suppose!

Shame he didn't bark at our burglars but it was an unsociable hour when any self-respecting terrier is asleep under a blanket, so, y'know!

 

[skinnydipper]

Although our garden is enclosed by a 2m fence and locked gates, I have never gone out and left the dog door unlocked or left the dogs outside. For 2 reasons really, a) I want to know they are safe in the house and b) a person could fit through the door

 

[Loubidy]

My main reason for wanting a flap is as I work from home she is now constantly wanting to go out and in and its fine if I'm on a call with my team but a little unprofessional when its someone from the government.

My garden is very small and totally secure so she shouldn't escape, it's also at the end of a cul-de-sac, mid-terrace and backs onto a river so if a stranger was even to spot she could be there, me and my neighbours probably have bigger concerns

My friends partner told me to make sure it was a chip one because otherwise peoples cats would be coming in my house? is that something I should be concerned about? I don't have a cat but a few of my neighbours do.

 

[Dasher66]

Our Parsons JR and the cat share the cat flap. It is a Sure Flap and wasnt cheap, we chose it on the size of the opening to ensure the dog could get through. Pros It is chip operated, can be set to work in various ways to a progamme, and next door's cats cant get in. Cons It is horrendously draughty, you can see the gaps round the flap.

We have had to deny the dog the use of it at night because she goes out and stands in the middle of the garden and barks. Also in spite of putting a mat on the inside neither dog nor cat wipe their feet when coming in. ATM I should be washing the kitchen floor after dog trailed in a bucket load of mud yesterday.

 

[laura_nash]

Although our garden is enclosed by a 2m fence and locked gates, I have never gone out and left the dog door unlocked or left the dogs outside. For 2 reasons really, a) I want to know they are safe in the house and b) a person could fit through the door

When we put our dog flap in at our old house I rang the insurance company about it. The lady said our 3 large dogs would balance out the extra risk of the flap. TBH one of the 3 would have been pretty scary for a burgler, I once had an unexpected visitor who set him off ask me if he was a wolf. The other 2 would have been a burglers best friend for a scratch. Cats coming in was also not an issue (the lurcher was Not cat safe) but we did have a hedgehog used to come in and eat the dogs food much to their baffled disgust.

 

[AmyMay]

OP, strange cats are highly unlikely to come in in the day. Just lock it at night x

 

[skinnydipper]

OP. I can highly recommend Plexidor. I've probably had it about 18 years now and it has survived a multi dog and multi cat household. I bought it because I found the cheaper plastic flaps weren't up to the job and didn't last.

The Plexidor comes with a key to lock it and also a metal security panel which screws to the back. To make life easier, because screwing a panel on every time you leave the house is a bit of a faff, my husband made a frame and fitted it to the door and I just drop the metal panel in that.

I haven't had a problem with other people's cats but my sister did. There was one who would eat her cat's food and spray on the kitchen units. She bought a flap which opened when activated by a tag fitted to her cat's collar. I am sure there are more sophisticated flaps available now.

Although our garden is enclosed by a 2m fence and locked gates, I have never gone out and left the dog door unlocked or left the dogs outside. For 2 reasons really, a) I want to know they are safe in the house and b) a person could fit through the door

When we put our dog flap in at our old house I rang the insurance company about it. The lady said our 3 large dogs would balance out the extra risk of the flap. TBH one of the 3 would have been pretty scary for a burgler, I once had an unexpected visitor who set him off ask me if he was a wolf. The other 2 would have been a burglers best friend for a scratch. Cats coming in was also not an issue (the lurcher was Not cat safe) but we did have a hedgehog used to come in and eat the dogs food much to their baffled disgust.

Clearly we have a different set up. I've always taken my dogs away from the property for daily exercise and have never left one at home to guard.

I have dogs as pets and installed an alarm to deter burglars.

Interesting comment from the insurance operative you spoke to.

My husband paid extra insurance to cover his hi fi and music collection. We declared the dog door and the insurance company were not thrilled about it.

I would be concerned that if a burglar gained entry via a dog door the insurance company would be reluctant to pay out -,hence the lock and the security panel as above.