Doggy doors are a great way to give your pooch freedom to come and go and save you time on potty breaks. Lots of people use these doors, but the question that so many people pose is this: Are doggy doors a security risk? The answer is an ambiguous “yes and no.” Today, we’re going to talk about these doors, how they can be a potential security risk, and how you can mitigate that risk.
Related: Dog Gates for Stairs – Safety First for You and Your Family
Are Doggy Doors a SecurityRisk?
Dog doors offer your dog the freedom to get out, stretch his legs, and go potty without you having to gear up with leashes and the like. If you have one of those dogs who begs to go outside all day long, these doors are incredibly convenient for both you and your dog. They allow for a level of freedom and flexibility in both of your lives that you can’t get with anything else. There is a downside, however.
Depending on the size of your dog, a doggy door may or may not pose a security risk. If you have a Chihuahua, for example, your dog door is probably not going to be big enough to offer easy entry to the home. Conversely, if have a Great Dane, your dog door is going to have room to spare for a would-be burglar to wriggle his way in should he choose to brave whatever’s big enough to be going in and out of that door.
Burglar Proofing Doggy Doors
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If you have a doggy door, it’s important that you do everything you can to prevent entry by a burglar. Not only will he steal your stuff, the insurance company may not pay out if they determine that your home wasn’t properly secured. So how can you give your dog the freedom of a doggy door and still protect yourself?
High, Locked Fence
The first line of defense if you have a doggy door is your fence. I’m sure with a doggy door, you already have a fence, but is it a good enough fence? If you have a dog door, you want a backyard that has a fence high enough to be difficult to scale and a gate that is locked securely. Another trick is to put out a “Beware of Dog
Secure Doggy Doors
Almost all dog doors come with a closing piece. This piece generally slides into place via a track on the inside of the door so that your dog can’t go out at night. Always be sure your doggy door is secured at night. However, this may not be enough when it comes to insurance companies determining if your dog door was properly secured. You can fit your dog door with aftermarket covers that are ultra secure. For example, the Watchdog Steel Security Pet Door Cover fits over a variety of doggy doors and is made of a thick steel frame with a locking door.
Doggy Doors are Great, but Be Careful
Doggy Doors offer a ton of freedom and flexibility to both you and your dog. However, be aware that you need to take precautions to protect your family and your home. In only the last few days, there was a news report in my neck of the woods of a burglar duo that entered the home through a doggy door. To protect yourself, make sure you have a high fence with a locked gate, always use the closing mechanism on your dog door, and consider an aftermarket security cover for your dog door. If you do those things, you should be safe and secure and still give yourself and your dog the freedom that only doggy doors can offer.
