Electronic Dog Doors Buyer's Guide
An electronic dog door will ensure that your pooch has the ability to get in and out of your house while you remain undisturbed.
A normal flap dog door will mean that you have to deal with unwelcome guests like raccoons and others besides your own pet. But with an electronic dog door, you have the power to decide who steps into your home and when.
How Do Electronic Dog Doors Work?
The electronic dog door systems work via sensors.
The pet door system senses the related signal emitted by a sensor embedded in your pet's collar or from a microchip inserted in the skin and opens the dog door automatically. Some models come with a remote control device that the owner can use to open the pet door. As a result of this feature, rest assured that your electronic dog door will not open for any animal it does not recognize.
This keeps the pesky stray animals from entering your home.
Types Of Sensors
Electronic dog doors use microchips that can be inserted by a vet under the pet's skin. This is convenient as the chip won't get lost and will never need battery replacements. Sometimes, magnetic sensors are fitted in the dog's collar but they are not the most efficient. Ultrasonic waves to are used in some models.
But the most popular technology is the RFID or the radio frequency identification device. It is safe, secure and only identifies pets whose information is registered in the system. As an owner, you have exact control of who can enter and leave your home.
Types Of Mounting
There are different types of mounting that will suit different types of dog doors. The common mounting styles are:
- Wall mounting
- Door mounting
- Patio door mounting
- Window mounting.
Advantages Of An Electronic Dog Door
- Makes your dog independent: Gives your dog the freedom to go out and snoop when it is getting bored indoors. Your pooch will be able to relieve itself instead of waiting for you to take it out.
- Frees up your time: It is not practical to leave work midway each time to take your dog out. But with an electronic dog door, you can be sure that the pet finds a way out and you can continue with your work.
- Saves money: Dogs are prone to scratching the dog doors when they need to get outside. Repainting is a costly affair and leaving unsightly scratch marks on your pet doors lowers the aesthetic value of your home. When the electronic dog door opens for the dog on its own, it will stop scratching and this will save your doors.
What To Look Out For?
Check out the following pointers before you make a purchase.
- Size: There is no standard size. Each dog is unique and has its own measurements. Hence, measure your dog before deciding on the pet door panel size. You must ensure that your dog is able to move in and out easily. If you are getting for a puppy, you must factor in additional allowances for growth too.
- Access control: This feature will help you determine how the dog door opens and how your dog uses the pet door. For example, you can prevent entry from outside when the dog is inside the house.
- Ease of installation: If the installation is a simple process, it is more advantageous than spending an extra buck on a handyman to do the job. Check on the difficulty in installing the electronic smart pet door.
- Directional sensing system: Without a well-refined directional sensing system, it will unlock every time the dog is near it. It's highly recommended to get an electronic dog door with an accurate sensing system. This will prevent the pet door from accidentally opening when your dog walks past.
- Material: Look for a long-lasting material such as steel which has an additional aesthetic value also.
- Energy efficiency: Every time the pet door opens and closes, you lose a little of your thermal energy. Add them all up over the months and your heating bills will increase significantly. Your dog door must be energy efficient. It must have the proper sealings to ensure minimal heat loss.
You Need To Measure Your Pet
For the height of your pet, you must measure the distance from the ground to the shoulders. For the width, measure the distance between the shoulders as it is the widest part of a canine. Another important measure is the rising height which is the distance between the foundation and the dog's lower chest. Make sure that there is minimum 2 inches allowance for future growth in height and width.
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