Welp, I have an actual house now; Questions.

[Dasfinc]

#8) Who has Doggie Doors? Pros/Cons? We have a pair of 50lb dogs that love roaming outside and our back yard is fenced in. We live in Wheaton, and since the doors have glass in them anyways, I'd imagine if someone wants to break in bad enough a doggie door isn't going to be any more attractive of a target than just punching out one of the small panes in the back door. That being said, I feel like this could have other issues like not sealing well, allowing in water? I don't know, but I'm curious who has real-life experience with having one.


my in laws have one, but it is in a lower level patio door that is only used to by the dogs. it was a custom made glass pane that fit in the opening of the patio door, so can remove it at any time with no proof that one was ever there. it was made for small dogs. ~20-30 lb it does not let in any more water than the dogs themselves bring in.
if this is for a very much used patio sliding door i would recomend getting one that fits on the non door side as to not take away any door space.

you could probably have this done at the same time as #7 while the pros are doing the work.

both my front AND back doors are just "Doors", we have no patio door.

 

[boostedguy05]

then it's as easy as buying the size doggie door you want and cutting the hole.

 

[boostedguy05]

doggie doors have a "plate' that slides into a track to lock the doggie door to stop people / critters from getting in at night / when your not home.

 

[boostedguy05]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TZ57PE/?tag=tcg21-20

 

[FESTER665]

Would you leave them so the dog can go out while you're not there? As much as I would love them doing that I just don't think it's a great idea to leave them with the ability while I'm not here...

 

[boostedguy05]

see post #78

 

[Dasfinc]

then it's as easy as buying the size doggie door you want and cutting the hole.

I know that, I was looking for people that actually have them and their experiences with them.

 

[boostedguy05]

get a good one and you will love it.

 

[cap42]

How big is your yard, and how much do you pay to have someone aerate it? It looks like its $180ish to buy a tow-behind plug one for my little tractor, and its like $100 a day to rent a self-powered one, or $60 to rent a tow behind for a day. At $180 if this is more than a once a year thing, I'm just going to buy it and store it in my shed.

I believe my lot is 60x125, I have paid different lawn care and landscapers anywhere from $50-80 to have the lawn aerated and over seeded along with fertilizer. I don't have an exact price for just aeration alone.

I could have probably bought one used for what I have paid these other companies but storing it is a big concern.

 

[Dasfinc]

I ended up buying an aerator, worked great, and it fits nicely in my shed.

 

[FESTER665]

see post #78

I get that you can lock it, but the only point for me to even think about having one would be so they could go while I'm not home.

Right now I have them trained so they ring a bell on the back door so I know they need to go, I'm a lazy ass, but not so lazy I don't want to get up to let them out when they ring the bell.

 

[boostedguy05]

I get that you can lock it, but the only point for me to even think about having one would be so they could go while I'm not home.

Right now I have them trained so they ring a bell on the back door so I know they need to go, I'm a lazy ass, but not so lazy I don't want to get up to let them out when they ring the bell.

well, then you are looking for somethign like this.

Amazon.com : Power Pet Large Electronic Pet Door PX-2 : Pet Doors And Supplies : Pet Supplies

 

[Angus]

This thread is encouraging. The last year, I've been working on remodeling the interior of my house while the outside hasn't been touched.

It's beautiful, professional landscaping back 15 years ago, but my neighbor tells me that the previous owners never maintained and now everything is overgrown and my backyard is somewhat useless.

I found the picked clean carcass of something (large racoon?) last night in the "grass". ugh.

 

[Dasfinc]

This thread is encouraging. The last year, I've been working on remodeling the interior of my house while the outside hasn't been touched.

It's beautiful, professional landscaping back 15 years ago, but my neighbor tells me that the previous owners never maintained and now everything is overgrown and my backyard is somewhat useless.

I found the picked clean carcass of something (large racoon?) last night in the "grass". ugh.

If you have a tractor and want to rent my aerator you are welcome to it. I feel bad spending the money I did on it for it just to sit for 6+ months.