Anybody ever built a _nice_ dog door? The commercially available ones
don't meet the grade. Tips or ideas requested.

Requirements:
Through-the-wall in wood stud construction - not through an existing
door.
Seals the weather out
Opens both ways. The hanging arrangement with the pivots on center of
the sides near the top is okay.
Opening, 26 x 11 inches, to accommodate a large dog. But I want a puppy
to be able to open it.
I'm thinking the material should be wood, but I'm open to aluminum and
glass.
Must look good.

I'm considering a dog house on the outside to function as a foyer, but
for the moment, consider that a separate project.

--
*********************
* Nehmo Sergheyev *
*********************

From:	Matthew
Subject:	Re: Quality Dog Door
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 15:51:29 -0600

The best one I have seen operates like a simple passthru. It has heavy
plastic sheeting (like they use in forklift doors) in two layers, separated
by about 4". I think it would work just as well with canvas or other heavy
fabric. Best thing is you can match the size nicely with the dog.

This one had a door on the inside to make it secure when needed. The owner
says the dogs took one or two "hits" in learning not to charge thru without
a nose poke to see if the inside door was shut.... :)

Matthew

"Nehmo Sergheyev" wrote in message
news:rATId.221202$ye4.16173@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> Anybody ever built a _nice_ dog door? The commercially available ones
> don't meet the grade. Tips or ideas requested.
>
> Requirements:
> Through-the-wall in wood stud construction - not through an existing
> door.
> Seals the weather out
> Opens both ways. The hanging arrangement with the pivots on center of
> the sides near the top is okay.
> Opening, 26 x 11 inches, to accommodate a large dog. But I want a puppy
> to be able to open it.
> I'm thinking the material should be wood, but I'm open to aluminum and
> glass.
> Must look good.
>
> I'm considering a dog house on the outside to function as a foyer, but
> for the moment, consider that a separate project.
>
>
> --
> *********************
> * Nehmo Sergheyev *
> *********************
>
>

From:	rcook5 at TAKEOUTmindspring.com
Subject:	Re: Quality Dog Door
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 01:15:00 GMT

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 15:51:29 -0600, "Matthew"
wrote:

>The best one I have seen operates like a simple passthru. It has heavy
>plastic sheeting (like they use in forklift doors) in two layers, separated
>by about 4". I think it would work just as well with canvas or other heavy
>fabric. Best thing is you can match the size nicely with the dog.
>
>This one had a door on the inside to make it secure when needed. The owner
>says the dogs took one or two "hits" in learning not to charge thru without
>a nose poke to see if the inside door was shut.... :)
>
>Matthew

Yeah. The fact that you've got a dog will probably be enough to keep
the local cats out. But that doesn't faze the skunks, raccoons and
some other critters. Especially not once they figure out there's dog
food on the other side of the door.

--RC

>
>"Nehmo Sergheyev" wrote in message
>news:rATId.221202$ye4.16173@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
>> Anybody ever built a _nice_ dog door? The commercially available ones
>> don't meet the grade. Tips or ideas requested.
>>
>> Requirements:
>> Through-the-wall in wood stud construction - not through an existing
>> door.
>> Seals the weather out
>> Opens both ways. The hanging arrangement with the pivots on center of
>> the sides near the top is okay.
>> Opening, 26 x 11 inches, to accommodate a large dog. But I want a puppy
>> to be able to open it.
>> I'm thinking the material should be wood, but I'm open to aluminum and
>> glass.
>> Must look good.
>>
>> I'm considering a dog house on the outside to function as a foyer, but
>> for the moment, consider that a separate project.
>>
>>
>> --
>> *********************
>> * Nehmo Sergheyev *
>> *********************
>>
>>
>

"Sometimes history doesn't repeat itself. It just yells
'can't you remember anything I've told you?' and lets
fly with a club.
-- John W. Cambell Jr.

From:	Old Nick
Subject:	Re: Quality Dog Door
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 11:56:51 +0800

On Mon, 24 Jan 2005 01:15:00 GMT, rcook5@TAKEOUTmindspring.com vaguely
proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

>Yeah. The fact that you've got a dog will probably be enough to keep
>the local cats out. But that doesn't faze the skunks, raccoons and
>some other critters. Especially not once they figure out there's dog
>food on the other side of the door.

Easy. Put an electric latch on there and teach the dog to use the
button!

From:	jdk
Subject:	Re: Quality Dog Door
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 23:13:43 GMT

Nehmo Sergheyev wrote:
> Anybody ever built a _nice_ dog door? The commercially available ones
> don't meet the grade. Tips or ideas requested.
>
> Requirements:
> Through-the-wall in wood stud construction - not through an existing
> door.
> Seals the weather out
> Opens both ways. The hanging arrangement with the pivots on center of
> the sides near the top is okay.
> Opening, 26 x 11 inches, to accommodate a large dog. But I want a puppy
> to be able to open it.
> I'm thinking the material should be wood, but I'm open to aluminum and
> glass.
> Must look good.
>
> I'm considering a dog house on the outside to function as a foyer, but
> for the moment, consider that a separate project.
>
>
www.dogdoors.com/cgi/smart.cgi?command=listitems&type=group&group=best
i have found these to be the best so far. i have been thru several cheap
ones. these have have felt and aluminum

From:	Lewis
Subject:	Re: Quality Dog Door
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 01:58:42 GMT

> >
> www.dogdoors.com/cgi/smart.cgi?command=listitems&type=group&group=best
> i have found these to be the best so far. i have been thru several cheap
> ones. these have have felt and aluminum

I'll second that recommendation. I also have tried other dog doors, and will
not use anything but Plexidor ever again. My Newfoundlands (150 pounds and
not gentle with the door) have been bashing their way in and out dozens of
times every day for years, and this door just keeps swinging. I even
recommended it to my boss. After he got done choking on the price, he
ordered one for his Bull Terrier, and thanked me after his dog had used it
just one day. Definitely big bucks, but they last and last, and really keep
the weather out.
Lewis

From:	JerryMouse
Subject:	Re: Quality Dog Door
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 23:25:54 -0600

Nehmo Sergheyev wrote:
> Anybody ever built a _nice_ dog door? The commercially available ones
> don't meet the grade. Tips or ideas requested.
>
> Requirements:
> Through-the-wall in wood stud construction - not through an existing
> door.
> Seals the weather out
> Opens both ways. The hanging arrangement with the pivots on center of
> the sides near the top is okay.
> Opening, 26 x 11 inches, to accommodate a large dog. But I want a
> puppy to be able to open it.
> I'm thinking the material should be wood, but I'm open to aluminum and
> glass.
> Must look good.
>
> I'm considering a dog house on the outside to function as a foyer, but
> for the moment, consider that a separate project.

Sounds big enough for a burglar (assuming you take your dog on vacation with
you!). Don't neglect some method to well-secure the door.

From:	Abe
Subject:	Re: Quality Dog Door
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 14:43:19 -0800

>Anybody ever built a _nice_ dog door? The commercially available ones
>don't meet the grade. Tips or ideas requested.
>
>Requirements:
>Through-the-wall in wood stud construction - not through an existing
>door.
>Seals the weather out
>Opens both ways. The hanging arrangement with the pivots on center of
>the sides near the top is okay.
>Opening, 26 x 11 inches, to accommodate a large dog. But I want a puppy
>to be able to open it.
>I'm thinking the material should be wood, but I'm open to aluminum and
>glass.
>Must look good.
------------
I'd take a hint from magnetic cat doors. The good ones swing both
ways, have a magnet that centers the door flap down, and has felt
weather stripping to keep out bugs and wind. The also have a sliding
switch that enables you to lock the door, or only let it open in one
direction or the other.

Of course the cat doors are plastic, and meant for a cutout in an
existing door, but if you could apply the principles to a nice wooden
dog door meant for through the wall installation, you might have
something highly marketable.

Examples:
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?cm_ven=ink&cm_ite=sku&cm_pla=unknown&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033663&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775519&bmUID=1106519521784
http://www.fancypaws.com/camacatdo.html
http://www.smarthome.com/6195.html

From:	CW
Subject:	Re: Quality Dog Door
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:31:00 -0800

That design isn't just for cats. I have one like that sized (and sold) for
dogs. My cats appreciate the space.

"Abe" wrote in message
news:6g98v0l7t95pl7pajnt10tot3ss0ubq0os@4ax.com...
> I'd take a hint from magnetic cat doors. The good ones swing both
> ways, have a magnet that centers the door flap down, and has felt
> weather stripping to keep out bugs and wind. The also have a sliding
> switch that enables you to lock the door, or only let it open in one
> direction or the other.
>
> Of course the cat doors are plastic, and meant for a cutout in an
> existing door, but if you could apply the principles to a nice wooden
> dog door meant for through the wall installation, you might have
> something highly marketable.
>
> Examples:
>
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?cm_ven=ink&cm_ite=sku&cm_pla=unknown&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033663&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775519&bmUID=1106519521784
> http://www.fancypaws.com/camacatdo.html
> http://www.smarthome.com/6195.html
>