People who own pets will usually have a pet door so that they are able to come in or out on their own throughout the day and night. While these are handy when you have a pet they can also be a security issue. Intruders will use this door as a way to get inside of your home without you being any wiser. There are thing that you need to consider and steps to take that will help to keep your entryway safe when using a pet door.
Door Size
One of the biggest mistakes that people will make is installing something that is too large. The larger doors are built for much larger dogs to get through – but they are also large enough for a small person to squeeze in. Do not estimate how large your dog will be as they grow or get something larger so that they will make it through comfortably. It only needs to be wide enough for the shoulders to get through. If you can get through it than you know it is too big.
Door Placement
The next thing you need to consider is where the door should be placed. The best and most obvious place to put it is on the back door. This allows you dog to do its business in a secured area and keeps intruders from spotting it. If your yard is not fenced in than you might want to place it on a side door where it cannot be seen from the road. You can be even more creative and install it in a window or wall.
Make sure that the door is not too high or off to one side. Even if they can’t fit their bodies inside they might be able to push their arm through and unlock the door. It is best to put it in the center of the door and two inches from the floor.
Door Types
There are many options to choose from when trying to find the right type of pet door. The flaps can usually move four different ways; swing both ways, swing to the outside, swing to the inside, and locked down. If you spend more money than you can purchase one that is controlled by the dog’s collar. The door will seal and lock itself and can only be accessed by the dog.