Electronic Dog Doors

Electronic dog doors come in two varieties, the infrared model and the fully automatic kind. Neither type is inexpensive, although the infrared requires less advance planning in the budget for most people. Some manufacturers only make a large electronic door, which is not recommended for smaller dogs or cats. This is because it can be difficult for smaller animals to push past the heavy flap that is made of rigid materials. Other models come in various sizes to accommodate small pets.

Electronic doors work because the dog wears a collar with a special sensor attached to it. As the dog approaches the door, the sensor transmits a signal to the door to unlock it. This controls access, both going out and going in. Usually, the door operates via four to six AA batteries. However, some have the option of being hard wired, or operating via an A/C adapter, although you will need to have that connected before the door installation is complete.

Some collar tags contain a small battery and a tiny circuit board chip to trigger the door opening. These tags cannot be dunked in water or they will stop working. Other sensors are magnets, and are not harmed by getting wet. They are also cheaper to replace if a collar is somehow lost.

The pet door generally stays open for a few seconds, and then closes immediately after the animal pushes through it. This feature benefits the homeowner by preventing neighborhood animals from coming inside with their pet. Of course, it can also prevent a second household pet (not wearing a special collar tag) from going outside. This can be useful if they are recovering from an illness, or for a variety of other reasons.