4 ms·

Well, you're probably training them to be autonomous just like I'm training my dogs to use the dog door. They're still uncomfortable doing so because they're u

Well, you're probably training them to be autonomous just like I'm training my dogs to use the dog door. They're still uncomfortable doing so because they're used to me letting them out, but every so often I let them do their own thing and they eventually find their way out. Soon it will become habit and they won't depend on me so much anymore.

war1025 6y ago
Serious question I've had about dog doors: How does a dog door prevent rodents and other riffraff from coming in?
- asdfman123 6y ago
  I'm not sure. I live in the city where everything is dead! Plus it's extremely hard to get into my backyard (gated complex and high cinderblock wall). I don't think rodents and bugs are typically a problem though. People, maybe, but if someone wants to break into your house it's not hard to do so and the lack of a dog door isn't going to stop them.
- Guest0918231 6y ago
  They make some where you attach a device to the dog's collar, and it unlocks the door when they approach. That being said, I grew up in an area completely surrounded by trees and every animal imaginable (squirrels, rabbits, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, deer, etc). We had a dog door (a simple plastic flap) to our barn. I saw raccoons and squirrels with nests literally 10ft from the dog door. Nothing ever came inside. The barn even had food (dog food, plus a fridge and cupboards with snacks). It was even heated during the winter. Nothing came in. I don't know the reasoning, but that little piece of plastic kept everything out.
- rurp 6y ago
  I would guess that the smells and activity from the dog would keep a lot of the critters out. Most wild animals avoid dogs and don't want to risk getting trapped in an unknown space with one. Not that it will always work, but I bet the critter traffic is vastly less than if the house was left empty with a dog door. Somewhat related, many of my neighbors have had issues with rats. I have seen them on the edges of my yard but never seen or heard one inside. I haven't done anything to prevent them except for having two indoor cats. These are fully domesticated chubby cats that probably couldn't catch a wild rat to save their life, but I suspect their presence deters rodents for the most part.
  - cutemonster 6y ago
    > never seen or heard [any rat] inside ... two indoor cats ... chubby > ... couldn't catch a wild rat I'm seeing a possibly different reality

war1025 6y ago

Serious question I've had about dog doors: How does a dog door prevent rodents and other riffraff from coming in?

asdfman123 6y ago
I'm not sure. I live in the city where everything is dead! Plus it's extremely hard to get into my backyard (gated complex and high cinderblock wall). I don't think rodents and bugs are typically a problem though. People, maybe, but if someone wants to break into your house it's not hard to do so and the lack of a dog door isn't going to stop them.
Guest0918231 6y ago
They make some where you attach a device to the dog's collar, and it unlocks the door when they approach. That being said, I grew up in an area completely surrounded by trees and every animal imaginable (squirrels, rabbits, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, deer, etc). We had a dog door (a simple plastic flap) to our barn. I saw raccoons and squirrels with nests literally 10ft from the dog door. Nothing ever came inside. The barn even had food (dog food, plus a fridge and cupboards with snacks). It was even heated during the winter. Nothing came in. I don't know the reasoning, but that little piece of plastic kept everything out.
rurp 6y ago
I would guess that the smells and activity from the dog would keep a lot of the critters out. Most wild animals avoid dogs and don't want to risk getting trapped in an unknown space with one. Not that it will always work, but I bet the critter traffic is vastly less than if the house was left empty with a dog door. Somewhat related, many of my neighbors have had issues with rats. I have seen them on the edges of my yard but never seen or heard one inside. I haven't done anything to prevent them except for having two indoor cats. These are fully domesticated chubby cats that probably couldn't catch a wild rat to save their life, but I suspect their presence deters rodents for the most part.
- cutemonster 6y ago
  > never seen or heard [any rat] inside ... two indoor cats ... chubby > ... couldn't catch a wild rat I'm seeing a possibly different reality