I have a pet door for my dog for the screen door that goes from my bedroom to the back porch. That has worked out great for her. Now I am having some improvements done for the back porch, and they will be adding a screen door to the porch door that goes out to two steps to the patio. I'm wondering if my dog will be able to go through the pet door down to the first step. Or go up from the first step through the pet door to the porch. Does anyone else have a pet door like this? Did it take awhile for the dog to learn how to go through the pet door?

by Anonymous

reply 16

June 13, 2022 5:23 AM

I once heard about a dwarf who climbed through a pet door and killed an entire family while they were sleeping.

by Anonymous

reply 2

June 13, 2022 12:17 AM

I would worry about wild animals coming in.

by Anonymous

reply 3

June 13, 2022 12:18 AM

Didn’t he fuck them all first though R2? Always looking for the negative, aren’t ya?

by Anonymous

reply 4

June 13, 2022 12:18 AM

Yes, she is a rescued dog.

by Anonymous

reply 5

June 13, 2022 4:07 AM

Yes I have a dog door like that and I had to train my dogs to go through it using treats. They caught on eventually.

by Anonymous

reply 7

June 13, 2022 4:14 AM

Can you do a ramp instead of a step?

Are you saying she basically have to go up one or two steps and jump through the dog door? I don't think she'd like that, especially as she gets older. I'd do a ramp.

by Anonymous

reply 8

June 13, 2022 4:19 AM

Should say "she would* basically..."

by Anonymous

reply 9

June 13, 2022 4:22 AM

Yes, r8. The current dog door is at the same level in both the bedroom and the porch. the new dog door will be 8-10" lower on the steps compared to the porch.

by Anonymous

reply 10

June 13, 2022 4:34 AM

OP, not to be weird, but how big and agile is this dog? What is her general health condition, she, breed, etc.?

Can you share some photos of the door and/or the dog?

I do use a pet door. And there is no way to do this without the step? Could you have the step be deeper so that your dog is fully through the pet door, THEN steps down? I’m just trying to picture all of it.

by Anonymous

reply 11

June 13, 2022 4:48 AM

She's a 20-lb. terrier, 2 years old and in good health.

Currently there is only a door without a screendoor for the porch to the steps. I keep it open all the time so she can go out to the back yard when she wants, but it lets in lots of leaves, dust and dirt. So I wanted to get a screen door so that the porch will be easier to keep clean.

by Anonymous

reply 13

June 13, 2022 4:56 AM

The dog will figure it out, OP. I wouldn't worry.

As far as stepping thru the dog door and onto a lower step when going out - and vice-versa coming in - the dog will figure it out and will soon be second-nature.

But because I'm not exactly clear on the set-up of the door+steps, just make sure there'd be nothing impeding the pup for when it gets old and maybe has mobility issues - like, nothing where the dog has to jump up or over something substantial just to use the door. But a few stairs for an oldy shouldn't be a problem.

[bold]And GOOD FOR YOU for arranging for more outdoor access for the doggie in your improvements!!![/bold]

by Anonymous

reply 14

June 13, 2022 5:05 AM

I had one of these come in through my pet door and then it scooted off and hid in my house. Should I be concerned?

Offsite Link

by Anonymous

reply 15

June 13, 2022 5:14 AM

R13/OP, our doggies match. :-). I have same weight n type (Westie). I agree that your dog (because it’s a terrier) will likely adjust quick quickly. You can use treats and lots of praise too. But you will need to figure it out when it’s old and not as agile. I don’t know where you live, but with your step situation, the only other weird angle is weather. If it snows where you are, or pours rain, even the bravest terrier might not want to use the door. But that is temporary.

by Anonymous

reply 16

June 13, 2022 5:23 AM