Tips for Finding the Right Dog Door for Your Screen Door
One of the best ways to ensure unrestricted movement for our loyal canines is investing in a dog screen door. Dog screen doors offer numerous benefits, from preventing screen door damage to allowing your dog to go outdoors to relieve itself.
In this article, we will explore the advantages of dog screen doors, and provide four essential tips to help you find the perfect one.
What are the Benefits of a Dog Screen Door?
A dog door for screens offers many benefits that make your dog’s life, and your own, much more convenient. Screen doors are perfect during the summertime to enjoy the fresh air while also keeping insects and other bugs away.
However, if your dog has the habit of pushing open the door each time it goes out, you may end up dealing with unwanted insects. Hale Pet Door states that investing in a dog door for screens is the ideal way to enjoy a well-ventilated home without needing to be your dog’s doorman.
There are a variety of other benefits as well. For one, these simple installations greatly reduce damage to the main screen door from scratches caused by your dog’s eager attempts to get in or out.
They also allow your pet to relieve themselves whenever nature calls, reducing accidents inside your home. Primarily, most people install these products because of the overall convenience. You save a lot of time and effort when you don’t need to open, and close the door for your dog constantly.
4 Tips for Finding the Right Dog Screen Door
Now that we know why dog screen doors can be a great investment, it is time to go shopping. However, what factors should you keep in mind? There seem to be so many options out there for dog screen doors. Not to worry, we’ve got you covered with the following four tips.
1. Plan For Your Dog’s Growth and Size to Increase With Age
This point is most relevant if you have a puppy. It’s fairly obvious that dogs grow, but surprisingly, this is one factor that people often overlook. Some breeds have significant growth spurts, which can catch you off guard.
Take into account the average adult height and weight of your breed to choose the right dog screen door size. Remember, it should be tall, and wide enough for your dog to comfortably pass through without having to crouch or squeeze when they are older.
2. Assess Activity Levels
How active is your dog throughout the day? Does your dog have bursts of energy, and engage in playful activities, or is it generally calm and relaxed? Breeds like Labradors, Siberian Huskies, and Border Collies are naturally energetic and require ample exercise.
If you need extra guidance, contact your vet and talk the matter over with them. They can provide valuable insights into your dog’s overall health and activity levels. They can also help you determine the appropriate amount of exercise and outdoor time your dog needs.
3. Consider Noise Levels
Noise levels are also going to be an important factor to take into account. You may want to look at options designed with noise-reducing features like rubber seals or specialized flaps. Noisy dog doors are usually caused by your dog not knowing how to use the door properly.
Gradually introduce your dog to the door, teach them how to use it, and reinforce positive behaviors to ensure they use the door calmly and quietly. Proper training can help minimize excessive banging or slamming during entry and exit.
4. Installation Considerations
Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding measurement guidelines. This is because an ill-fitting door may not work properly, or be loose, and insecure.
The most common types of dog screen doors are surface-mounted doors and in-glass or in-door doors. Choose the mounting option that suits your door type and personal preference.
Also, be honest about your own DIY skills, and the complexity of the installation process. Some dog screen doors may need professional help, and you don’t want to botch the job to satisfy your ego.
Conclusion
Dog screen doors allow your pets to lead more fulfilling lives. It puts some agency back into their hands and allows them to feel less like a prisoner stuck at home.
Our dogs love us unconditionally, and it only makes sense for us to invest in simple conveniences like dog screen doors for them. They might seem like simple quirks to us, but to our dogs, they can really brighten up their often boring lives.
