Ruff Weather Dog Door by Ideal Pet Products

The Naked Dog learned to use a dog door this spring when I installed a patio panel door.  That door wasn't a great solution.  It took some retrofitting with weather stripping to get a so-so seal against the weather and if it rained and was windy, the door flap would blow open and get water on my floor.  I'll never forget the first windy night.  There I was sitting in the living room, watching TV, when the flap opened, except all the dogs were inside.  Kind of freaked me out, but it was just the wind.  I knew then that door had to go before winter.

I looked a number of door models.  I looked at the auto-open door where the dog wears an electronic collar and the door opens when the dog approaches.  That seemed like an electronic failure waiting to happen.   First I had to have batteries on hand at all times, and I have three dogs, which meant I had to purchase three collars.  And what about fosters?  Sometimes I have 1-2 fosters, and that means another 1-2 collars for a possible 5 in all.  Way too expensive of a method.

I finally settled on the Ruff Weather Door by Ideal Pet Products.  The rating on this door by folks was 5-star (12) and the lowest was a 3-star (2) based on the 20 reviews.   I purchased my door through my local Home Depot and before purchasing it, I specifically asked if the inner wall part was in the box as well and was assured it was.  Well, it wasn't and guess what?  Home Depot sells the doors, but not the wall kits, but they can special order it.  If you have to do that, buy the kit through Amazon and it will cost about half.  Luckily, my contractor told me to hold off as he thought he would just frame it in.

It took about 1 1/2 hours for the contractor to complete the task and this did include the internal framing he did.  I have to say, I'm glad the kit wasn't in there, I like the wood much better because it will hold up better over time.  I painted the interior wood white and then caulked around the interior seams of the door where it meets the wood.

                         exterior view - in use

Initially, the dogs were not too keen on this door.  First, they kept going to the place where the patio door panel was and I would redirect them to the other end of the door where the new door was.  Getting them to go through it was also a challenge.  First, this door seals much tighter than the other one and it took a little more effort to push it open.  Second, they suddenly had to contend with a small "wall hall."  My old man of 15 was so terrified, that he actually crammed himself all up in the little "wall hall" rather than simply go out the second flap.   The Naked Dog put all four feet against the door and it was like I was trying to cram some giant spider through the door.  His four legs might as well have been eight with the struggling I did.  Third, they weren't familiar with a dual flap, so I ended up taping the exterior flap up for a few days.  That helped.

My other problem was that where I had to install it, meant it was not off the deck, so I had to fashion some form of steps.  Initially, I used some concrete blocks, but my old man, nearly blind was not comfortable using them.  I opted to purchase a set of steps like he has by the bed for use outside.  Since he is familiar with the steps, this has resolved all of his fears.

I am very pleased with this door so far.  With temps in the low 30's at night, I don't feel a draft and because the magnetic flaps are stronger, when it rains and blows, as it has been, even the outer flap doesn't seem to budge.  It certainly seems as if this door is a perfect solution to our Wisconsin winters.   The cost of this door was $94 at Home Depot and sells for $89 on Amazon.  Wall kit not included.

The Naked Dog gives this door 5 stars.