Frequently Asked Questions

A: Since 1989, the AKC offers a Canine Good Citizen test, and over 600,000 dogs have passed it. The idea is to offer a fun and satisfying way for dogs and owners to work together towards the goal of a well-trained and well-socialized dog. The CGC is now an official title. Dogs who successfully completed the 10-step test can have the title "CGC" affixed to their name. To make things even better, there's now an advanced degree as well: AKC Community Canine, or CGCA. In order to earn this title, the dog must have a CGC award or title, and have an AKC number. (All dogs can get an AKC number, it doesn't matter if it's a purebred or mixed.) Both tests focus on a dog's social skills. Evaluators stage a series of ten common situations a dog and owner might encounter, and to pass, the dog must react in a calm and well-mannered way. For the CGC, the tests are simulations of real world skills, but the CGCA performs the test in a natural setting. To pass the test, the dog must be able to: Stand, sit, or lie down and wait while the owner is busy doing something else. Walk on a loose leash in a real-life situation. Walk on a loose leash, without pulling, through a crowd. Walk, without pulling, past distraction dogs. Sit and stay in a group of three other dogs and owners. Allow an approach and petting from a person carrying a backpack or other object. "Leave it" - be able to ignore food on command. Down or sit-stay from a distance. Recall in an environment with distractions. Sit or stand-stay while owner enters/exists a doorway or a narrow passage. To read more about these degrees, visit akc.org!

A: Security is a common and natural concern amongst pet owners considering a pet door. Many people think the door will make a permanent opening they won't be able to lock, and that the pet door will compromise the security of their house if they leave for an extended period of time. A pet door is an opening in the house, just like a window, or a regular door. That doesn't necessarily mean it's an invitation to robbers and bad people. All PlexiDor pet doors come with lock and key. All models except for the small PlexiDor - which is too small for a person to get through - are delivered with a steel security plate. The security plate attaches to the inner frame. It's either screwed to the frame, or attached through a sliding track system with flip lock feature. Getting through the locked door with attach steel plate would require extensive time and tools. What about the electronic door? The electronic door will only open for pets with a key. If the door is closed, the composite panel acts as a security door, and it is very difficult to break through.  The composite material won't shatter if someone hits it or kicks it, and gaining access to the house through the pet door would require time and tenacity.

A: In the past, owners of very large dogs  had problems finding suitable pet doors. Traditional flap doors can't stand up to the power produced by a 200 lbs dog hitting it at a run. Countless owners  ended up with torn flaps, warped frames, and even pet door frames torn out of the household door. The PlexiDor dog door is specifically made to withstand even very large dogs. The frame is made from hardened aluminum that won't crack or rust, and the panels are made from a special K9 Composite material. They're thin, yet isolating, and strong enough to withstand the intense pounding a large dog can put them through. The PlexiDor factory has put an extensive amount of research into the material. The see-through panels also serves as a window for the pet. An extra large dog also comes with extra strong jaws, and some breeds are known for chewing everything to pieces. The extra large PlexiDor dog door has an aluminum chew-proof trim around each panel, so even if the dog is bored and tries to take it out in the door, destroying the panel will not be easy. Many pet owners worry about security, and that can seem a warranted concern when putting in a door large enough to accommodate a 220 lbs dog. Every PlexiDor dog door is delivered with a lock and key, and a steel security plate that attaches to the door frame. The security plate screws on to the dog door frame, but for households that want to attach it often, be it for securing the house or for signaling to the dog that the door is locked, there is a sliding track accessory available. The security plate slides down the track to the right position, and is locked in place with a flip lock, so an intruder can't get rid of it through pushing it up. The image to the right shows an extra large PlexiDor dog door with the security plate attached through the sliding track system. Note that you can lock and unlock the door through the security plate, so even if you forget to lock before putting the plate on, you don't have to take it off again. The image also shows the security plate flip-lock on top. There is also an awning available that provides shade and keeps rain and snow away. The PlexiDor extra large dog door is available in three frame colors: silver, white, or bronze. The sliding tracks are available in the same colors, and awnings and security plates are either white or brone. The extra large PlexiDor dog door is excellent for breeds such as Great Danes, Leonbergers, Newfoundlands, Rottweilers, St Bernards, Old English Sheepdogs, Irish Wolfhounds, and other dogs up to 220 lbs. The panels open so easily that a small and large pet can use the same door. However, if a smaller pet is to share the door it's important to adjust the installation height so everyone can get in and out comfortably.

A: Jiff is  a Pomeranian, cute as can be. He is also fast enough to be featured in the new edition of Guinness World Records book. He ran 10 meters on his hind legs in 6.56 seconds, and 5 meters on his front legs in 7.76 seconds. Many dogs can balance on two feet, but few can walk or run on just the front paws. Besides two-legged running, Jiff can also ride a skateboard, bow, stamp his pawtograph, and shake hands. Naturally, this cute pup is already becoming a celebrity. He has appeared in TV ads, and in a video by Katy Perry. //youtu.be/pM1dJGjRHOc

A: Gardening time is here, and there are some things to watch out for when planning the summer's work. It is widely known that some plants are poisonous, but more innocent looking gardening items can also pose a danger to dogs. Cocoa mulch is popular in the USA. It smells good, repels garden pests, retains moisture, and darkens over time instead of fading. Unfortunately, it can also be dangerous to pets. Many types of mulch are made from wood, but cocoa mulch is made from cacao shells left over from the cocoa bean roasting process. It is environmentally friendly, and contains theobromine - the same substance that makes dogs sick from eating chocolate. Snopes.com reports that depending on the kind of mulch, it contains 300-1200 mg of theobromine per ounce. Whether this is dangerous or not depends on the dog's propensity to eat unusual things. While theobromine is toxic to cats, they are very unlikely to munch down on mulch. Dogs might. Some manufacturers of cocoa mulch claim their mulch goes through extensive cleaning processes to strip the cocoa fat from the shells, thus making them harmless. If you have a dog that likes to eat strange things from the ground and you want to use cocoa mulch, do some research and make sure you get a kind that's free from theobromine.

A: Many people are curious about the electronic pet doors. Here are answers to some of the most common questions: Q: What is an electronic pet door?  A: Electronic pet doors open when a pet with a collar key comes close enough to trigger it. In some doors the key releases the catch on the door so the pet can push it open. When it comes to the PlexiDor Electronic pet door, the cat or dog has an RF-ID key on the collar, and the door opens automatically when the key comes into range. Q: What if one of my neighbors has an electronic dog door just like this one? A: There are thousands of key codes, and the door will be programmed to open to your pets' keys only. Q: Will burglars be able to enter through the electronic pet door? A: That is not likely. The door has an interior stainless steel locking bar, and the panel is shatter resistant. If a burglar were to say hit the panel with a baseball bat, the bat bounces back. The frame is made from heavy aluminum that won't bend like plastic does. It would be easier to break in through a window. Q: Will an electronic pet door let the dog out but keep the cats in? A: Maybe. We can't guarantee that; cats are small and quick, and they often figure out that they can sneak out with the dog. Some customers use an indoor "underground fence" solution to keep cats away from the door. Q: My dog likes to swim. Will water damage the key? A: No. The keys are water proof. Q: Is it difficult to use a PlexiDor Electronic pet door? A: No, it is easy to add and change collar codes, and the keys snap on to the pet's collar easily. The pets usually figure the door out in a matter of minutes, and our support staff is standing by to assist with any problems. Q: What kind of warranties do you have? A: Every PlexiDor comes with a 5 year warranty, and a 90 day unconditional return guarantee. If you purchase a door and don't like it, return it within 90 days and get your money back.

A: The dog food contest where one lucky winner can get 1,000 pounds of Black Gold dog food just rolled out for 2015. This is what happened with the 2014 mountain of food: Penny Hamilton in Colorado won first prize. Her submission is of her dog Prince coming out of a tunnel they built onto their elevated deck. When asked what she thinks about pet doors she said, "Our dog and we love the freedom that our pet doors gives. We live in Colorado high mountains so we made an 'airlock' with two pet doors. Our smart dog, rescued from a high kill area, just bounds through 'his' pet doors to our elevated deck with is elevated to keep him safe from mountain lions, bears and other mountain critters." 1,000 pounds of food would be a lot for Prince, and Penny donated her prize to a local animal shelter and dog food bank. We hope the food and her generosity will help many hungry dogs. Take the opportunity to enter the contest - maybe the Black Gold truck will be coming to you later this year!

A: Last year's dog food contest where a lucky winner received 1,000 pounds of Black Gold dog food was a success. We here at PlexiDor pet doors loved seeing everyone's photos, and we have decided to do it again.  To enter, all you have to do is visit this link, answer an easy question, and share a photo of your dog using a dog door. It can be any dog door, it doesn't have to be a PlexiDor, and if you don't have a dog door it's okay to be creative. Naturally, if you were to win and don't want the food for yourself you can donate it to a shelter or rescue. Two runners up will win Dunkin Donuts gift cards.  

A: There's still time to enter our fun contest, but it is only open for a few more weeks, so this is a good time to do it. Here are some frequently asked questions we've been getting: What can I win? First prize is 1,000 pounds of dog food, with delivery. Runners up get Dunkin Donuts gift cards. I don't have a PlexiDor, can I still enter? Absolutely. Submit your best photo of your pet using any pet door. If you don't have a pet door at all, it's okay to be creative. My dogs eat raw food. Can I donate the prize? This is a lot of dog food, and many dog owners stick to a certain brand or type of food. If you win first prize and want to donate the food to a rescue or shelter, just let us know and we will arrange it. How do I enter? Entering is easy. Just visit /contest-2014/ and fill out the form. Can I see previous entries? Yes. Visit /contest-2014-submissions/ to see previous entries.  

A: Yes, you read the headline right. We will be giving away 1,000 pounds of Black Gold dog food - with delivery - to a lucky winner. Runners up will get Dunkin Donuts gift cards. If the winner doesn't want the food for themselves, it can be donated to a shelter or rescue. Enter the contest here!