Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a good rule of thumb to use to properly size the door?
There should be a minimum of 1 to 2 inches clearance all around body of the dog. Below is a list giving examples of which breeds work well with each door size.*
| Door Size | Dog Breed |
|---|---|
| 10 x 15 | Bichon, Mini Pinscher, Pug, Chihuahua(might be too small) |
| 12 x 18 | Beagles, Jack Russel |
| 15 x 21 | Border Collie, Siberian Husky |
| 17 x 20 | Border Collie, Siberian Husky |
| 17 x 24 | German Shepherd, Lab. Retriever, Doberman Pincher |
| 18 x 28 | Mastiff, Ridgeback, Cane Corso, Rottweiler |
* Please keep in mind that dogs can vary in size significantly within each breed.
2. What is the ideal opening size to make for my doors?
Ideally, you should make the opening 1 ½” less than the door length and width. This provides a ¾” overlap all the way around the door. Please refer to the Dog Vue spec chart to confirm dimensions.
3. How do I size my door if my opening is already cut out?
You want the door to completely cover the opening. To make sure the door is covering the opening use a door that is a minimum ½” larger than the length and width of opening. We would not recommend that the door has less than 1/4” overlap around the edges.
4. My dog likes to chew on things. Will my dog chewing on the door ruin it?
Our engineers have designed the Dog Vue door with an aluminum flange to significantly increase the durability of the door. Also, the metallic taste and hardness of the aluminum flange discourages dogs from chewing on the door.
5. What are some tips to facilitate training a dog to use the door?
Tip #1 – It is important to introduce the dog to door by placing the dog inside the kennel so they push the door out the first time they use it. There is a tendency by dogs to want to return to a territory that was once theirs. This helps to motivate them to learn how to open the door from the outside.
Tip #2 – You can also prop the door partway open to encourage the dog to use the door.
6. How long does it take to train a dog to use the door?
Most dogs should easily learn within a day with minimal training.
7. What maintenance is recommended for these doors?
It is recommended to keep lubrication on the springs. Please use a high quality lubricant. Do not use WD 40 since it is not a true lubricant.