Common questions about the PlexiDor Electronic

Product FAQs

Questions about the PlexiDor Electronic pet doorMany 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.

Find the right size pet door!

Sizing

It is important to choose the right size pet door. It naturally has to be large enough to allow the pet easy access, but also as small as possible in order to keep rain, snow, and winds outside.

Most dogs duck their head and lift their legs when they go through a door, so the opening doesn’t have to be as tall as the dog. This can be confusing; it is tempting to install a pet door like we do a human door, with the opening starting at floor level. A dog door or cat door can generally be elevated.

The PlexiDor dog doors and cat door come in four convenient sizes to accommodate a wide range of pets and household needs. Click here to download a size chart as PDF!

Examples of breeds and door sizes are:

Cats up to 24 pounds and dogs up to 9 pounds, such as Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Papillons, Yorkies, and Maltese generally require a small PlexiDor pet door.

Dogs up to 40 pounds, such as Poodles, Corgis, Dachshunds, Beagles, Pekingese, Shelties, Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, and many Terriers need a medium PlexiDor dog door.

Dogs up to 100 pounds, such as Labradors, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Collies, Setters, Bulldogs, Pointers, and Dobermans require a large PlexiDor dog door.

Dogs up to 220 pounds, such as Great Danes, St Bernards, Rottweilers, Old English Sheepdogs, Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees, and Irish Wolfhounds need an extra large PlexiDor dog door.

The size chart contains recommendations for installation height from bottom of frame to floor. If you are concerned about the opening size, download this information sheet in PDF format with opening sizes and cut hole sizes for door units as well as wall units. We want you to find the right size pet door for your furry friend!

How do I train my pet to use a pet door?

Training

Most pets are eager to explore the outside, and once they realize they have the option to go in and out as they please, they will jump on the opportunity. Teaching the pet generally takes somewhere between five seconds and five days.

Using the PlexiDor comes naturally to most dogs and cats, even if they are reluctant to use a traditional rubber flap door. They can see the outside through the clear panel, and the panel swings open easily.

If the pet doesn’t take to the door, try propping one of the panels open and coaxing the pet through with a treat. When it comes to cats, it generally works well to put something they want on the other side of the door.

For the electronic door, it usually works well to put a treat on the bottom lip of the pet door. The dog or cat approaches to get the treat, and the collar key triggers the door to open. It doesn’t take long for the pets to figure out that the door will open when they come close.

Some pets need longer than others. It is important to stay patient and calm, and give praise once they do come through. When the get the hang of it, they’ll be happy to run in and out without having to wait for a human to get the door.

Is this a good dog door for wall installation?

Installation, Product FAQs

When installing a pet door, it’s usually easiest to put it through a door. However, PlexiDors is a great dog door for wall installation. It can be installed in all sorts of walls and gives a professional grade installation.

The wall units can be installed into stud, brick, block, or cement walls up to 12 inches thick. Each wall unit includes a sloped aluminum tunnel that connects the interior and exterior frame. The tunnel will not rust, and it is easy to clean.

If your wall is thinner than 12 inches, just trim the tunnel pieces down with included jigsaw blade or tin snips.

Dog door wall installation

The PlexiDor dog door for wall installation comes in the same sizes and specifications as the door units: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large. Colors available are silver, white, or bronze.

Tools needed for installation are: jigsaw, drill, and screwdriver. (Jigsaw blade is included with the unit.)

Take a look at the PlexiDor size charts, measurements and cut holes.

Aluminum wall tunnel

Frequently Asked PlexiDor Questions

Installation, Product FAQs, Sizing, Training

PlexiDor Extra LargeIf you need a pet door, the PlexiDor is sturdy, secure, energy efficient, and comes with a five year warranty. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.


Where can I install a PlexiDor?

The PlexiDor can be installed through a door, a wall, or even through glass. The part you see next to the doggie on the picture goes on the inside of the house.

The PlexiDor units for door installation fits a standard US house door of 1.75″ and the frame covers the cut-out edges of the house door.

PlexiDor dog door wall tunnelThe units for wall installation come with an aluminum wall tunnel that is adjustable from 4″ to 12″ On the image to the right, the door is seen from the outside of the house. The aluminum tunnel is angled to drain water and snow to the outside.

When it comes to installations in glass, every size door from the small one to the extra large and the electronic PlexiDor can be mounted in a sliding glass door, french style door, or window.


What kinds of pets can use a PlexiDor?

The PlexiDor comes in several sizes to accommodate everything from cats to dogs weighing up to 200 lbs. The doors on the larger models swing so easily that smaller pets can use a bigger door.

If in doubt, check out the PlexiDor SizeChart.


The door looks so small. Will my dog really go through there?

If you have the right size according to the PlexiDor SizeChart, the answer is generally “Yes.” The door isn’t meant to be mounted flush with the floor; the pets lift their legs and walk/run over a threshold. The reason for this is that you want the opening to be as small as possible while still being big enough for your pet.

Looking at the chart above, the extra large PlexiDor, for example, should be mounted 12″-14″ up from the floor, unless a dog needs it to be lower.


Is it hard to teach a pet to use the door?

Pets generally catch on to the idea quickly. Prop the panels open and tempt your cat or dog with a treat. Once they go through with the panels open, try the same thing with panels closed. Many pets who won’t use other pet doors still like the PlexiDor because they can see the other side through the panel.


What warranties do you have?

The PlexiDor comes with an unconditional 90 day money back guarantee. Shipping charges are non refundable, but the factory will refund the purchase price in full.

The PlexiDor also comes with a 5 year warranty. Any defective part will be repaired or replaced, including standard shipping charges, for five years from the purchase date. Labor is not covered.

This warranty covers residential use. Commercial kennels should use the BiteGuard line of pet doors.


Do you have a door that will let my dog out but keep the cats inside?

We can’t guarantee that. The PlexiDor Electronic opens only for pets with a key, but cats are quick and can follow the dog outside.


How does the PlexiDor Electronic work?

It’s like a miniature garage door for pets. The pets allowed to use the door get collar keys with RFID. The keys are waterproof, shock proof, and do not require batteries.

When the key comes close to the door, the panel slides up. You can program how long the door will stay open, and since there are thousands of RFID codes you can feel confident the door will only open for your pets, even if other animals in the neighborhood have similar keys.