Frequently Asked Questions

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A: For many people, there are classic Christmas movies we look forward to watching every year. It may be part of your Christmas traditions. Christmas movies span the decades, from “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street” in the 1940s to “Elf” and “Love Actually” in the early 2000s. There are also a fair share of Christmas dog movies in which a dog or dogs play a primary role. Here are a few classics, in no particular order… A Dog Named Christmas (2009) Could this be more of a Christmas dog movie? This is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie adapted from a book by Greg Kincaid.  A developmentally disabled man wants to get his town involved in the Christmas “Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program”. He himself adopts Christmas, a golden Labrador, that his father does not fully approve of and hearts overflow. https://youtu.be/s4aao9l24Qg A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) This is a staple of the Christmas season and the quintessential Christmas dog movie. Also don’t forget the sequel, I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown. Let’s face it, Snoopy is the star of the show. He doesn’t say much, but when it comes to celebrating Christmas, he’s number one. Apple TV+ just bought this Christmas tradition and was going to make it available by subscription only this year. However, the American public spoke and it will be airing on network TV, again, this year. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) https://youtu.be/YQV5Pr7pWtM It is through the Grinch’s relationship with Max that we are able to first “meet” the Grinch. Max isn’t in a position to oppose the Grinch’s plans to steal Christmas and he’s been roped in as an unwilling participant. As a purist a heart, I prefer the animated 1966 Chuck Jones version of this movie. I’ve seen this film so many times I can actually recite parts of it and hear the narrators voice saying, “Cindy Lou Who, who was no more than two.” Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure (2011) The St Bernard Beethoven is back in this fun Christmas flick and this time he talks. Tom Arnold is Beethoven. He’s helping one of Santa’s elves, who has crash landed in his small town, find the lost toy bag to save Christmas. 12 Dogs of Christmas (2005) https://youtu.be/Rmf9-z0frxM This is a heart-warming tale set during the Great Depression about a girl and, you guessed it, 12 dogs. Definitely worth a watch! There was a sequel seven years later: 12 Dogs of Christmas: Great Puppy Rescue The Search for Santa Paws (2010) This is a prequel to the 2009 film Santa Buddies and a spin off from Disney’s Air Bud franchise at large. In this movie Santa Claus and his new best friend, Paws go to New York City to remind the world what Christmas is all about. There was a sequel in 2012 Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups. Shelby: The Dog Who Saved Christmas (2014) This is a fun Christmas movie with another talking dog, a Beagle named Shelby who’s always running from the dog catcher. Shelby is voiced by Rob Schneider. Chevy Chase and Tom Arnold also have leading roles as Grandpa Geoffrey and Doug the Dog Catcher respectively.  This list represents animated fantasies, talking dogs, heart-felt Hallmark tear jerkers and Disney franchises. The thing these movies all have in common is Christmas and a canine companion. If part of your holiday traditions includes snuggling in and watching a film or two, and you don’t already have “Christmas dog” movies on your list, consider adding one or two. PlexiDor Dog Doors wants to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday! Keep watching Christmas movies!

A: The Labrador Retriever is America’s most popular dog breed for over twenty-five years. This is easily understandable due to their friendly, sociable nature. Labradors are loving family dogs connecting with everyone in the family. They get along well with others in general, people and canines alike. Yellow Labrador Retriever Labrador Retriever Traits Labrador Retrievers stand between 21 and 24 inches tall and weigh between fifty to seventy-five pounds. Although some males have weighed in over 100 pounds! Depending on their size, they are considered a medium to large dog. Their short, thick coat comes in black, yellow, and chocolate. This water-repellant double coat sheds so they should be brushed regularly and require only an occasional bath. Regular nail trimming and teeth brushing is necessary as well to maintain proper hygiene. The Labrador Retriever is high energy and strong. To instill good habits, socialize and train your dog from puppyhood. Labs require a good deal of exercise and playtime to remain physically and mentally fit. They need a lot of exercise every day and their favorites are swimming and retrieving. They are a good fit for canine sports like agility, tracking and obedience. While Labs are great companion animals they were originally bred as working dogs. This breed is regularly used in search and rescue, drug and bomb detection, and as service and assistance animals. They also make great hunting dogs. Three Black Labrador Retrievers on Dock While there is only one breed standard for the Labrador Retriever, there are two recognized types of Labrador Retrievers. There is the English Labrador, bred for show or conformation, and the American Labrador, bred for work and field trials. These differences are easy to see when placed next to each other. Compared to an American Labrador, the English Lab has a more substantial look about them. They are stockier, with barrel chests, a wider head, and a shorter muzzle. The neck is thicker to support the wider head and barrel chest. The tail is thicker, wider, and straighter than their American counterparts. Their legs are shorter and, hence, do not stand quite as tall. Bred for show, they are typically closer to the breed standards than the American Labs. In contrast, the American Labrador has a slimmer, more lithe and agile body frame. The face is narrower and their muzzle longer. They have a thinner coat and the tail tends to have a slight curl. They have longer legs and stand a little taller, up to 24 inches at the shoulder. These dogs are bred for their working ability and less to match the breed standards for show. There is also a difference in energy level, temperament, and overall disposition. The American Lab tends to be more high energy, needing constant activity to keep them occupied. This need to stay busy can lead to anxiety if not properly channeled. They tend to be more stubborn than their English brothers and more difficult to train. The American type makes a better working dog and the English Lab, with its mellower disposition, generally makes a better family dog. No matter the type of Lab, this breed is a favorite among dog owners for their good nature and love of human companionship. They are eager to please and make wonderful service dogs. Loyal and devoted to their humans, Labradors love to be part of a family. Depending on your dog’s size, you will need a large or possibly an extra-large PlexiDor Dog Door to allow your active companion access to the backyard on their terms. Our doors come with a 90-day money back guarantee and a 5 or 10-year warranty depending on style of door. Contact us or call 888-PET-DOOR for more information.

A: There are dogs you can carry with you as a constant companion. They are perfect for cuddling on the couch, carried in your arms, or toted about in a purse or satchel. These pint-sized pups are easy to take with you at under ten pounds. Don’t worry, their small size doesn’t mean small personality. Pint Sized Dogs You Can Carry with You Yorkshire Terrier – Ranked number 13 on the American Kennel Club’s Most Popular Dogs List. Yorkies are true terriers in temperament although not more than 7 pounds. This hypo-allergenic breed became popular among the fashionable in the late 1880s. They are still the most popular of the terrier breeds and make wonderful family dogs as they are good with young children. Yorkshire Terrier Pomeranian – Ranked number 23. Mostly fur, Pomeranians weigh less than seven pounds and stand a mere six inches tall. They make wonderful companions and are easily trained. They make good family pets with older children and love to play. Pomeranian Chihuahua – Ranked number 34, Chihuahuas have either a long or a smooth coat. Both need to wear a coat or sweater in the colder months to stay warm. This is a small dog with a big dog personality and training is required to keep them in line. They do not do well with small children, but are good family and companion dogs. Long Haired Chihuahua Papillion – Ranked number 53, this breed is great for families with children. Although a small, ten-pound dog, they are robust and athletic. They are distinguishable by their wing-like ears they are named for. Papillion is French for butterfly. Papillion Japanese Chin – Ranked number 111, the Chin has a mane around its neck, a short muzzle, a tail gracefully arched over its back and fluffy tufts on its back legs. The breed was refined in the 17th and 18th centuries by Japanese nobles. They are loving family dogs and do well with older children. Japanese Chin Any of these breeds would make an adorable purse pet. These dogs you can carry with you are small in size and big on personality. Each has its own unique facets and traits. When considering a new pet, do your research and choose the right dog for your lifestyle and home. It will make your pet parenthood more successful and enjoyable in the end.

A: PlexiDor Pet Doors recently visited the 2014 UKC Premiere show in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The UKC, or United Kennel Club, was founded in 1898 and is the largest all-breed performance dog registry in the world. UKC registers dogs from all 50 states as well as 25 other countries. Many clubs only accept pure-bred dogs with pedigree, but UKC has an inclusive policy and strives to provide shows where all dogs can participate. There is a purebred dog registry, but also a program open to mixed breeds and purebreds who for some reason don't fit into the regular purebred registry. They might have a "fault" that excludes them from the breed standard, or be of unknown pedigree. PlexiDor pet doors go to the Premiere event every year and give away 10 dog doors as prizes. It's a fun event for us, because previous years' winners often come by to tell us their experiences with the doors. This year is noteworthy; it's the first time the same dog has won two doors! Congratulations to all the winners. We hope to see you at the show in 2015! Courage won a PlexiDor dog door for Rally National Champion. Lee Anne Layman won a door in 2011 and stopped by to tell us that she loves it. Uhrach4 Roseview Changin' my Star - or Toby as he is also called - is the first dog ever two win two doors at one show. Here is Toby with his owners, Kim Charles and Bruce Winter.

A: PIJAC stands for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. PIJAC Canada is a non-profit dedicated to representing the Canadian pet industry, and to the highest level of pet care. Each year the organization arranges a number of trade shows and events around the country, and PlexiDor pet doors visited the Western Pet Expo that took place in Richmond, BC, May 4 to 5 2014. The Western Pet Expo is a huge 2-day event, and it is British Columbia's only all inclusive pet industry trade show. The PlexiDor dog doors and cat door are well suited for harsh climates, and stand up to the Canadian winters. It is difficult to find products that will keep cold, rain, snow, and wind outside, but the PlexiDor poses an effective barrier to the elements. It also keeps summer flies and other nuisances outside. There is a Canadian area on the PlexiDor website, and the product catalog is available for viewing and download in French for those who prefer that language. The doors can be seen in stores all over the country. Over 50 percent of Canadian households have at least one cat or dog. There are almost 8 million cats and 6 million dogs in the country. Pictured left to right:  Tamara Webster / Triton Sales Representative Nicole Scheming / Owner Triton Animal Supplies Robert Wollet / PlexiDor Sales Manager Hardy Scheming / Owner Triton Animal Supplies Judy Muirhead / Triton Sales Representative Jessica Aldridge / Triton Sales Representative

A: June is adopt a shelter cat month, and this is not a coincidence. During spring and summer, overwhelming numbers of homeless kitties arrive at shelters, and they all need homes. The Watauga Humane Society has done some calculations, and one un-spayed female cat together with one un-neutered male cat can - together with their offspring - produce 420,000 kittens in just seven years. There are many cats needing home, and if you adopt one you don't only get great company for yourself; you save a life. So, what should you think about if you're planning to adopt a cat? Maybe you should take two? If you're considering adopting a cat, think about taking two. Cats are social, they need exercise, and they need mental stimulation. If you have two cats they'll entertain each other. This makes it easier on you, and you get twice the purring, cuddling, and other kit tie benefits. Consider the cat's personality Just like people, cats have different personalities, and it's important that you match. Do you want an easygoing kitty, or an active one? Shelters and rescue groups have all kinds of cats. Do you want a playful and energetic kitten or a senior who's happy to nap? Make a budget and stock up on supplies All pets cost money, and cats aren't an exception. When you adopt, the cat might already be vaccinated, microchipped, spayed, or neutered, and  this is a great saving. But you still have to think about vet visits, litter box, cat litter, food, toys, scratching posts, bed, grooming, food bowl, and water bowl. It's a great idea to have everything in place before kitty arrives, so he or she can feet welcome and at home. Plan and kitty-proof your home Cats are like children in many ways, and they get into stuff. It's difficult to predict what will look like a great toy. You might want to put expensive decorations away for a while, until you and kitty get used to each other and figure things out. Make sure you don't have loose things lying around the cat can accidentally swallow, keep food put away, and keep an eye on electrical cords. Kittens who don't know better might try to play with them or even chew them. Plan where you want to put the cat's food and water bowls, and where to put the litter box. Many put it in a bathroom, closet, or laundry room, but that means that the door needs to be open all the time so the cat can get in and out. This isn't always a feasible option, and we've seen some creative cat owners who put a PlexiDor cat door in the door to the laundry room or similar to allow kitty access while being able to close the human size door. Take it slow It will take your new furry friend a while to relax and settle in. Give him or her some time to get used to the new surroundings and new people.

A: A couple of weeks ago the PlexiDor blog reported about cats and dogs being able to see in ultraviolet. The ability makes it possible for many animals to see things humans do not, such as threats that would otherwise blend in with the environment and patterns that can lead to food.  Being able to see like they see would probably be both convenient and amazing in many situations. Flowers, for instance, may have patterns we will never be able to discern. However, due to human interference the ability to see in ultraviolet might also be terrifying. The Guardian reports that UV cameras can pick up coronal discharges around power lines that humans cannot see with the bare eye. These lights and flashes correspond with the humming we can sometimes hear around power lines. Naturally, what we see with the aid of a camera is still not the same as animals able to detect ultraviolet frequencies would see, and the cameras can see a narrower range than most animals, but at least it gives us an idea. We have known for a long time that animals in the wide prefer to avoid power lines, and the popular explanation has been that the corridors cut to accommodate the lines expose animals to predators. However, with power lines looking like glowing and flashing bands across the sky, they might have an unforeseen worldwide impact. Besides disturbing our domestic friends like cats and dogs, they might interfere with migration routes for birds and prevent mammals from going where they need to be. Burying all power cables does not seem a realistic alternative, but one idea is to put a non-conducting shield around the cables to screen them from view.