I was thinking about getting a doggie door for my babies so they can go in and out when I am not home. I am also getting a German Shepherd so all 3 will be able to use it. I think I am gone too long during the day. I am putting a proper chain link dog kennel out there so they will not have roam of the whole yard but enough room to do their business.

Here are my concerns:

I love in NH so it is COLD in the winter. I am talking below zero with windchills well below zero, along with snow and ice storms. How insulated are these?

I am also afraid it will freeze shut and leave them out in the cold. My husband says it will not freeze due to the heat from the house.

I do not want my cats to use it, any ways to stop them from using it?

Are you Cairns ok using it, my door is at the top of some stairs so I hope they will get through it. I would lock it when they are alone for a while and only let them use it when I am home to watch, I also think I would lock it on the REALLY cold days.

Any suggestions on what types?

I would think it would be impossible for the cats not to use it.

The only way to stop the cats from using it would be the radio frequency ones that only open if it senses the thing you put on the dogs collar but even if the dog is close the cat could probably go through.

I would probably just shut block off the kitchen from the cats when I am not home and lock it when I am home.

We have two dog doors. The first goes from the house to the garage, then next goes out the garage door to a secure dog run we have for the boys. We have two dog houses in the dog run that they very rarely use. I think you can find insulated dog doors, the doors on ours are made of smokey translucent hard plastic.... they have a rubber around the door seal, but I can feel a cold draft in the winter from the door out to the garage. You might be able to find something more insulated by seraching on the internet.

I let my Cairn have the use of the dog door and the entire yard throughout the day. He is more than okay using it, it is just perfect to let him go in or out as he wishes. We don't get that kind of cold down here but this one is not bad in the desert. It does look like it will let some air exchange though. It is about 10 years old and I cannot see a brand name but it is a silicone/plastic type door with a magnetic fastener at the bottom.

Winston keeps the neighborhood cats out of the yard so this one has not been tested by feline species.

I'm confused. You say you're thinking about this so they can go in and out when you're not home, but then you say you would only let them use it when you're home to watch?

I live in NH and am familiar with Deering. If you let them use it when you're not home to watch, aren't you worried about coyotes, fisher cats, etc.?

If you're considering it because you're concerned you're gone too long, is doggie day care or a dogwalker or someone to spend time with them in the middle of the day a possibility instead?

What have you been doing up until now while you're away? I could never imagine a doggie door w/ worry as to what my oldest hunter Kiara might bring in. I have no idea how you would keep cats from venturing out. I just know a doggie door would never work for me.

I use a door made by a company called Plexidor, which is fantastic in terms of durability and insulation. It does not get super cold here but we do get gale force winds rather frequently and the Plexidor stays closed - no flapping about or anything.

They also have an electronic model that will only open for an animal wearing a coded collar. I expect you're talking about a pretty major investment -- and I expect that your cats will learn just to follow a dog in and outside the house anyway. My sister-in-law invested in an electronic door for her cat to keep the neighbor's outside of their house - but that didn't last more than a couple of weeks before neighbor's cat figured out all it needed to do was follow her cat into the house.

So net - if keeping your cats inside is a must a dog door is not going to be an option for you IMO.

Too bad, because I would never want to be without a doggy door. I used to have a similar arrangement to Mystic when I lived in Connecticut. With a Cairn, a Yorkie and two German Shepherds it was wonderful. We had the usual assortment of "varmits" - racoons, coyotes - but never had a problem with them even attempting to get into the house. Part of it may have been the dog door to the garden opened into a secure run - but I expect the presence and odor from my four pooches also kept any critters thinking twice about getting anywhere near the area.

I'm confused. You say you're thinking about this so they can go in and out when you're not home, but then you say you would only let them use it when you're home to watch?

I live in NH and am familiar with Deering. If you let them use it when you're not home to watch, aren't you worried about coyotes, fisher cats, etc.?

If you're considering it because you're concerned you're gone too long, is doggie day care or a dogwalker or someone to spend time with them in the middle of the day a possibility instead?

In the beginning I would only let them use it to be sure they are ok.

I am installing a 6 foot chain link kennel run with a roof inside of my already fenced in yard.

It was never an issue before because my neighbor used to come over a few times during the day but she has a newborn baby and I do not want to burden her with it right now.

I have been checking into a dog sitter but I am having an issue with allowing strangers in my home.

I am going to have 3 dogs so daycare is a pretty expensive option.

Jessica,

If the dog door opens into a secure run than I say "go for it." The only possible down side is if you have a barker - all of my dogs have been "house dogs" and none were inclined to stay outside and bark.

Hi Jessica, our dog door opens into a "Secure Dog Run" and when I say Secure... It's like a prison! No way anyone is digging in or out of it! We have patio stones layed on the inside of ours with gravel filling in the spaces.

My dogs have used the doggy door since last April and we love it. Only concern here for the weather is the gale force winds.

We had to get one as our other dog just would not ring the bells hard enough for me to hear. Quite a few accidents right at the door. Piper used to slam the bells but Chase would just give them a nudge.

Anyways, problem solved! BUT your yard and fencing must be bullet proof otherwise you will worry non stop about IF they are digging out.