Dog flap

[Bluebell9]

Does anyone have a dog flap? If so, would you reccomend it? What sort do you have and how big is it/how big is your dog?

We are thinking of getting one for when Ddog (Lab) is home alone as he loves to be outside. At the moment we sometimes leave the back door open for him but obviously this isnt great for security. (We live in a very quite low crime area and you can't see the door is open from outside the property.)

The garden is fully fenced and secure so he can't escape and we are fitting a lock on the gate so it can't be opened. He doesn't bark so he isnt a noise issue for the neighbours.

Just in case anyone is worried, this wouldnt replace his walks or encourage us to leave him for longer than we currently do, he normally sleeps when we are out and isn't bothered about being home alone.

Following.....I'm also thinking of getting one for similar reasons

No. If the dog can fit through then so could a person.
If you're not there you don't know your dog isn't barking or being stolen.

DH and I discussed having one when we got our dog but decided against it mainly because we were worried that if anything did happen the house insurance would wriggle out of paying the same if we effectively left a window or door open and unlocked.

As yours is a lab it would have to be a big one and would probably be the same as leaving the door open in terms of security which I see if what you are doing now

I could possibly put a dog door in an extension, and lock the former back patio door, which is still there....so dog can be outside Or in extension but main house is securely locked. Or otherwise convert a brick shed into a luxurious dog cottage and put a dog door in that. Do you have an option like that Bluebell? It sounds like you already feel fine about the security issues!

I worry about the security and insurance aspect and also my dog loves the sun and I'd worry he'd stay out there and get heatstroke or worse - he needs telling when to come in! Even in the shade it is v hot in SE at the moment with more to come

We've got two, kitchen to lean to and lean to to outside, but they're only cocker spaniel sized so a person couldn't get through. Also our back garden is only accessible through our house or multiple neighbours gardens over 6ft plus fences.

The dogs don't have the run of the whole garden as that seems to encourage mental barking, so they just have access to a small bit where they can potter about and wee if they need to.

We are going to get one for our small dog. He likes to be outside at night / all evening but gets upset if I shut the back door on him - likes to keep his options open! It won't be much bigger than a cat flap as he isn't a big dog. I can't see anyone stealing him - you can't tell he is there from the road and he isn't a barker.

AreWe I'm thinking about that kind of set up. Mine doesn't seem to do mental barking, but we're moving to a new environment, so that will be a major consideration! Cath mine has access to outside at night where we are now, and as it's a one storey house, I can see her little nocturnal life, chasing bugs and sniffing about as she wants. It's lovely

Got one for my Westie, cat flap size, it's fab, and I know that when we leave her for a bit she can get out to sniff the garden and have a leisurely wee.

We shut it at night though, as she sleeps with us

Tropic they only do mental barking because there's two of them playing I think. When we only had one she would never have thought to run round and round the garden like a mad thing while we were out!