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Dogs need to go outside, and most of the time we humans just let them out through people doors, happily acting as doggie doormen. All this up and down, in and out activity can be tiresome (and dogs are known to be poor tippers), so at some point it makes sense to install dog doors. Fortunately, dog doors are relatively cheap, readily available and easy to install.
The first step in installing dog doors is to determine the proper size. Obviously, the proper size depends on the size of your dog. Measure your dog at its widest point. This is usually across the chest and shoulders, but in overweight dogs you may have to measure across the belly. Next, measure from the top of the dog’s shoulders to the bottom of its rib cage. This will tell you how long the door should be should be and takes into account the way dogs duck and step through dog doors. Don’t worry about measuring for height from the bottom of the door, smaller dogs are capable of jumping up and through dog doors. Before cutting into any actual doors, make a test dog door in cardboard or plywood using the measurements you just took. Your dog will probably not be eager to try out the measurements; lure him the through the test door by standing on the other side and calling him with a treat. If the size is right, go out and by the dog door. Remember that dog doors are pre-fabricated, standardized items so you will have to approximate the size of the door. Always buy dog doors larger than the measurements you have taken. Most dog doors latch on the inside for security, but if you are really concerned then you can purchase a door that only swings one way. This way, your dog can get out, but no one or nothing (including your dog) can get back in. To install most dog doors, all you need are a few simple tools: a torpedo level; a pencil; measuring tape; a drill; and a jigsaw. Then follow these simple steps: 1. Measure about six inches from the bottom of the door and mark that spot. 2. Hold the dog door (or the template it should come with) against the door so that the bottom of the dog door is aligned with the mark you just made. Mark the top of the door.
3. Use the level to draw a line across the top of the door or template.
4. Measure the width of the dog door and mark its center. Align the center of the template or the dog door with that mark and the other marks you have made and trace around it.
5. With a ½ inch drill bit, drill holes at each corner of the outline, being careful not to drill outside the lines.
6. Insert the jigsaw blade into one of the holes and cut to the next hole. Repeat until all four sides of the dog door outline are cut, then firmly push the wood out of the cuts.
7. Slide each side of the dog door (it should come in two halves) through opposite sides of the hole, making sure that the side of the door that locks is facing inside. To prevent air leaks, add a bead of caulk to the outer door before inserting it.
8. Line up the screw holes on each side of the door, and connect the sides by screwing them together through the holes.
The whole project only takes about 30 minutes, but it may take your dog a little longer to get used to the dog door itself. Still, it should be no time at all before your dog is happily coming and going as he pleases and you are free from having to stand around doors waiting for your dog to decide where he wants to go. |
Pet Doors