Adding A Wall Entry Dog Door

How many times a day does your dog want to go out? And then right back in? And out again? If your answer is in double digits, I hear you, and I see you. The struggle is real! Last year, I finally added a wall entry dog door, and it’s been one of the best dog friendly home improvements I’ve made.

What is a wall entry dog door?

As a dog owner, you surely have seen dog doors before. Typically, they are framed at the bottom of an actual door, or as an insert to a sliding glass door. But the wall entry dog door provides your dog an entry/exit straight through the wall. With a telescoping tunnel design, they work with walls of various thickness. This type was perfect for me because my back door has a glass panel that wouldn’t allow for a standard doggie door.

A wall entry dog door is designed to fit between the wall studs. Anyone who’s a little handy could tackle the installation. I had exactly one place that worked for this dog door, and it involved moving an electrical outlet. I am not exactly that handy, so I called in a professional to get the job done.

Choosing a wall entry dog door

I selected the PetSafe Wall Entry Dog Door because I was familiar with the brand, the price was right, and the reviews online were generally positive. Available in 3 sizes to suit your dog’s size, the door works for any wall that’s 4 3/4″ – 7 1/4″ thick. PetSafe also offers a separate extension kit to accommodate thicker walls. Check out their installation video here.

The PetSafe Wall Entry Dog Door frame is made from PVC. It has a double flap design, with magnets at the bottom, to provide energy efficiency. A quick adjustment to the flap height will generally correct any concerns you have with gapping, or a flap that doesn’t return properly to the magnet. It includes a locking slide-in panel to close off the door and control access.

If you live in an area that experiences extended freezing temperatures, a dog door with a PVC frame is not for you. In the extreme cold, PVC may become brittle and crack. You’ll want to choose a dog door with a metal frame like the aluminum Baboni Wall Entry Dog Door.

If you need a larger dog door to suit your dog’s size, the aluminum Endura Flap Wall Entry Dog Door offers some of the largest dog doors around. Their “Large” door is 3″ taller than most other brands. And they also offer an “XL” door that’s 23″ tall.

freedom to come and go

A word of caution: Adding a dog door is not an invitation to leave your dog completely unattended. For both pet safety and home security, I always secure the dog door each night before bed, and also anytime I leave the house. I want the girls to have the freedom to go outside when they please, but I also want to be close by to ensure their time in the yard is still safe. I can also quickly address it if they make themselves a nuisance by barking at neighbors.

Every 4-6 weeks, I clean the flaps inside and out, as well as the inside of the telescoping tunnel. This little bit of maintenance has kept our dog door looking as good as new in spite of its routine use. I would love to frame it out, or add a little sliding barn door, to give it some style! There are so many ways to make the wall entry dog door not only functional, but also a stylish addition to your home.

With a wall entry dog door, gone are the days of letting the girls out, and in, and out again, about 100 times a day. Or if you were like me, allowing the AC to flow freely out the door when I left it open a crack for the girls, electric bill be damned. They are now free to come and go through their very own dog door. It just might be the best dog friendly home addition I’ve made!