dog flap

kim8 · #1 28th April 2003, 03:07 PM

What a brilliant invention, go to work during the day and boxer can go out at her own leisure into the back garden to do whatever.

I wouldnt be without a dog flap!! especially when i have forgotton the back door key, how can a 5'6" female get through a dog flap? Wait till im about 30 years old and middle age spread takes over then ask me!

The boxer loves her freedom with it, anyone else recommend them?

newark · #2 29th April 2003, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kim8
Wait till im about 30 years old and middle age spread takes over then ask me!

Oh gosh. I just turned 31 and still feel young. I was thinking middle age is around 45! Thankfully there has been no change in me as far as the 'middle age spread'. Kim, you cracked me right up!

kim8 · #3 29th April 2003, 07:37 AM

Im only 23 so I have a while yet till I reach my 30's!

neilsmom2000 · #4 29th April 2003, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kim8
What a brilliant invention, go to work during the day and boxer can go out at her own leisure into the back garden to do whatever.

I wouldnt be without a dog flap!! especially when i have forgotton the back door key, how can a 5'6" female get through a dog flap? Wait till im about 30 years old and middle age spread takes over then ask me!

The boxer loves her freedom with it, anyone else recommend them?

ditto newark! I turn 31 in a few weeks, and I'm hardly middle aged!

As for recommending doggie doors (or dog flaps as you call them), personally my answer is no. The primary reason for me would be safety. I would never let my dog wander around in the yard if I wasn't at home. First there's a risk of dognapping. Second there's a risk that they'd hurt themselves (bee stings, choking on objects etc.) Thirdly there's the certainty that they'd further destroy my yard by digging holes in inappropriate places etc. Fourthly, there's the probability your dog is going out and barking during the day, annoying the neighbours. Aside from all of that, there's the issue of whether or not you want your dog to have free reign over your domain. A dog that's allowed to wander at its own leisure will probably be feel its the alpha of your 'pack', and be harder to train. It can be very stressful for a dog to feel it's responsible for you and your property.

Having said all that, you may be situated where having a doggie door isn't a big deal and it works for you. Its an individual choice; only you can decide whether the risks are acceptable in your particular situation.

my $0.2

--Barb

Claudia807 · #5 29th April 2003, 07:56 AM

Personally I don't believe in letting a dog outside unattended while I'm not home. I think having a doggie door while you're home is great. The best ones are those that you can lock when you're not home. Sooooo many dogs are stolen each year. It is very real.

My Karl would for sure stand outside and bark all day. It would take about two seconds before I had Animal Control at my front door.

Claudia
Green Acres boxer Rescue of WI

Thomas Liggin · #6 29th April 2003, 08:10 AM

Dog flaps. Sounds like you started more of a flap by saying 30 years old is middle age.

Then I'm in my dotage. I'm 61. Bring on the bib and oatmeal, followed by the walker and wheelchair. Oh, and please don't forget the Depends.

All you young whippersnappers are still wet behind the ears, barely out of diapers and you've got me ready for them again.

And, Barb, I think you meant $0.02 not $0.2, unless you factored inflation into your equation.

I'll bet none of you guys remember flaps in longjohns so you could leave them on while using the outhouse when it's cold.

Tom

Scrapper's Mom · #7 29th April 2003, 08:44 AM

Yeah, from another one who's north of the 30 year mark, we've had skunks come through the dog door (flap) that led from our garage to the outside (twice) and spray our dogs at night so I wouldn't want to leave it open all the time. But when I'm home and the dog just wants to play "musical doors," and on those days I just am too weak and tired to heave my aging, spreading-in-the-middle carcass up from under my afghan

well then, a dog door would be a good idea. And if you can get through the opening, well, then so could someone who wanted to break in.

Scrapper's Mom · #8 29th April 2003, 09:13 AM

BTW, Scrapper sleeps in the house - it was our earlier two pooches who slept in the garage. That was before Boxer enlightenment

kim8 · #9 29th April 2003, 01:38 PM

We dont get skunks in England. Also she is very well trained and obedient so we have no worry that she rules "our pack"

It works very well for us and the dog, if she barked during the day im sure our neighbour would have said something over the past 8 years, but nothing has been said. As for her being pinched, the back garden is very secure with locks on gates etc

As i have said, it works very well for us, it may not for others.

neilsmom2000 · #10 29th April 2003, 01:58 PM

Listening to the news today, I realized there's another reason for me not to leave the dogs in the yard. That pesky West Nile virus is back already. Our region saw its first dead bird yesterday, and its only April

I guess its back to reeking of bug repellant for us, to ward of those danged West Nile carrying mosquitos!

--Barb

adeinert · #11 30th April 2003, 05:01 PM

Well, my house has a flap from the interior to the screened porch and then one from the porch outside. At first I thought it would give Jagger freedom when I was gone. My naivity soon dissapated. Jagger was good as gold and wouldn't have dared mess with our fence, but my issues became the risk of being stolen, being bit by a bug, etc
The doggy doors are great for when I am in the back of the house - in the kitchen or at the computer because I can see out left side, back, and right side. And of course every once and awhile I have to stand and lean and see exactly what they are doing.
They're nice, but I won't leave them open if I am not nearby to supervise.
Ashlie

adeinert · #12 30th April 2003, 06:24 PM

As a teacher, where many women work, we have had security specialists come and give us tips. Having a dog or acting like you did was number one or two. So having the dogs does decrease my concern of general theft. Someone would have to be loco to come into my house after the greetings of three big voices.
I don't know about all of them, but my flap door is in a sliding glass door and I still have a way to close and lock the sliding glass door. Handy. The other is a swinging plastic piece that could be pushed open.
My stealing worry is more because we have had a lot of theft in Florida that law officials think are dog fighting related. I just assume that these people would be in for the quick grab of any dog, not the type to plan out breaking into my house. Although my fences are over 6 feet, solid wood, with wire going into the ground everyone knows I am the boxer house. Since there have been some thefts in this area from time to time, usually a bunch in a short period, I worry. But we are working hard to drive out dog fighting and making neighborhoods safer for our companions!

My brother proved just how easy my house was to get into when Jagger had the run of the yard. He climbed (or should I say, scaled) the fence, slithered into the doggy doors just to show my new house and Jagger to a friend. So, he proved if someone wants in, then in they will come!

And of course, Jagger was napping on the sofa!!!!!!!

Ashlie
owned by Jillian, Tulley, and Desi - my rescued children