The simple answer to whether to use a dog door or not is convenience. Convenience for your dog to be able to enjoy your garden or outdoor space when they want to and go to the toilet when they need to. Convenience for you to not have to watch or listen for the dog’s request to go outside. In busy households with a lot going on, most people don’t have the time or energy to keep opening the door for the dog to go out. That’s especially true when the weather isn’t great and all the dog wants to do is sit in the garden!

Installation depends on the door and whether you have a dog flap already. If you're replacing a dog door, simply remove the old one using the screws or bolts and replace it with the new one. If you're installing a new pet door, you may need help cutting through wood or UPVC to make the hole. If your door is glass, you may need replacement glass with a hole cut or a glazier to help cut a hole. Then installation is a case of adding any insulation to the gap, placing the two sides of the dog flap either side of the door and securing them together. If you bought a dog flap with a sensor, you'll then need to train the sensor to recognize the chip and train the dog to use the flap!

If you're installing a new pet door, you may need help cutting through wood or UPVC to make the hole. If your door is glass, you may need replacement glass with a hole cut or a glazier to help cut a hole. Then installation is a case of adding any insulation to the gap, placing the two sides of the dog flap either side of the door and securing them together

If you bought a dog flap with a sensor, you'll then need to train the sensor to recognize the chip and train the dog to use the flap!

Most dogs will be able to use a dog door. Much will depend on how low you can place it within the door. If your door allows you to place it close to the ground, any dog or cat should be able to use it.

If the door won’t allow you to place it close to the floor, it may only be suitable for larger dogs as shorter legs may not be able to reach!

Most dog doors from Closer Pets are lockable. There is usually a flip switch on the inside of the flap you can turn to keep the flap closed. Some dog doors with sensors can lock the door using a sensor.

If you’re getting unwanted visitors, you can use the sensor to only open the door when your own dog approaches. This can keep nocturnal visitors to a minimum!

Dog doors will keep the majority of the weather outside but won’t be able to withstand strong wind or driving rain. Dog flaps have to balance being easy to use by the dog with being strong enough to withstand weather.

Our dog flaps do this well but need to be easy to open, so will be susceptible to strong wind and rain.