Electronic Dog Doors

[Saibeer]

Does anyone have any direct experience with any of these?
High tech power pet automatic door
Solo Pet Door
Plexidor Electronic Dog Door
Pet Safe Electronic Smart Door

Every time I have had a DDB in the house I have let them in and out day or night, scheduled around being out of the house while shopping and visiting friends. I thought this time around I would get one of these electronic security doors if I could make sure it was secure. They all have their good and bad points from all of the reviews that I have read. Some apparently are more reliable than others but none of them look like a clear winner as they all have the security risk of a rather large opening into your home possibly inviting unwanted 2-leggers.
In most cases to open any of the doors all you need is the collar (which apparently is not weather proof) or a magnet?
Any other options out there?
What is anyone else out there using?

 

[Chola]

Re: Eelctronic Dog Doors

We purchased one from Home Depot online a month ago for our 5 month old dog.
It is the High Tech Pet Power Large door.
It works great! The dog learned to use it in one day, and it was easy to install.
Be sure if you have a creek or pond, to order a waterproof collar as well.
It opens and closes like a charm, and no uninvited guests would really be able to come in, as it closes quickly. With the extra collar it cost us about $400. We also put a little ramp inside and out, and padded the inside ramp with a carpet mat for dirty, wet paws!

 

[Saibeer]

Re: Eelctronic Dog Doors

Chola;
You wouldn't have a picture would you? Installed in a door / wall / sliding door / or window?
What size is your breed?
Thanks so much for the prompt reply. I have been slow to commit to anything with such a range of price (300-2,000) and me with no experience with any of it.

 

[Wyo- Dogue de Bordeaux]

We have a doggie door, not electronic though. People have told us that with a doggie door that big (we have a Great Dane one) that there would be absolutely no way they would even try and break in lol


Wyoming Dogue De Bordeaux

 

[Saibeer]

Wyo-DDB;
Your point is well taken - but we have four legged critters here called possums and skunks that frequent the backyard (not to mention the poor stray cat that mistakenly may happen by) that can come in using the doggie door as well. I have only had a 7-banded armadillo visit us at night once while we lived in Houston and I decided then we would never have another doggie door. Times have changed (English translation - we got old) and now I am looking at something that is secure for us and the dog without being an invitation to others.
The search continues.

 

[acain37]

I have thought about having a dog door so that I don't have to let the crew in and out all the time. (with 4 it seems like they all need to go out one at a time) But, after having them (the dogs) break in to the house (more than once) when I am not home and taking my shoes, tools, clothes, dishes, step-stool, tv remote, pillow........outside, I have decided that it is better to just let them in and out, than it is to wonder what is missing in my house because they decided they needed it outside. They don't ever get into anything if I leave them in the house, or outside (they can get into the 20X10 heated kennel in the garage) but if they can come and go from the house without supervision- they carry 1/2 the house outside.

 

[mx5055]

I have thought about having a dog door so that I don't have to let the crew in and out all the time. (with 4 it seems like they all need to go out one at a time) But, after having them (the dogs) break in to the house (more than once) when I am not home and taking my shoes, tools, clothes, dishes, step-stool, tv remote, pillow........outside, I have decided that it is better to just let them in and out, than it is to wonder what is missing in my house because they decided they needed it outside. They don't ever get into anything if I leave them in the house, or outside (they can get into the 20X10 heated kennel in the garage) but if they can come and go from the house without supervision- they carry 1/2 the house outside.

lol too funny

 

[Saibeer]

Acain37
You don't know how much I needed that right about now.:lolbangtable:
Thanks for the perspective (reality check: freedom = a lot more work)

 

[Wyo- Dogue de Bordeaux]

Wyo-DDB;
Your point is well taken - but we have four legged critters here called possums and skunks that frequent the backyard (not to mention the poor stray cat that mistakenly may happen by) that can come in using the doggie door as well. I have only had a 7-banded armadillo visit us at night once while we lived in Houston and I decided then we would never have another doggie door. Times have changed (English translation - we got old) and now I am looking at something that is secure for us and the dog without being an invitation to others.
The search continues.

I know the 4 legged creatures to well. We have skunks that have gotten into our yard, coyotes, and most recently a wolf. The wolf followed my cat home one night and jumped the fence. My husband thought I was joking, even knowing there were hug prints behind our yard. He saw it 3 days before a rancher shot it 3 miles from our house for killing a sheep. That's my fear is something (animal like) coming into our house at night


Wyoming Dogue De Bordeaux

 

[acain37]

Yeah, it is funny now. But you have no idea how frustrating it is to wander around in the dark at 5 am trying to find the missing shoe, listening to my husband rant because there is no tv remote, or trying to figure out how on God's Green Acre they got the 3 step stool out the dog door in the garage! Or, mowing the grass and running over a screwdriver, and explaining to the neighbors that you didn't get undressed in the backyard, and that it is mud on the underwear........not HUGE skid marks! LOL!

 

[ruby55]

We have 4 dogs & a doggie door. The only thing that ever came in through that door was either a dog, or something a dog dragged in....like a possum (MANY possums), or a rabbit head (ew). And to my knowledge, they've never stolen anything & taken it outside. I guess we're lucky.
The down side is they don't understand when you say "Do you wanna go out?" They look at you like you're speaking a different language.
A trainer friend of mine said we're lazy & our dogs aren't really house trained. We've taken them on road trips though, & they either ask to go out or wait when we're in a hotel.