[jacobs454]

I got a GSD (still a pup) that I'm eventually gonna be leaving outside while I'm off at work. I was leaving her in the garage, but man it gets TOASTY in there now its summer! I want to get a doggy door so she can go in to eat and get in the shade, and go out when she wants to roam or doodie. It'd work good in the winter too, so she can go in and get out of the cold (and I don't have to buy a dog house!). I don't care about weather seal, cosmetics, etc. I just want a door that works likes its supposed to and will be big enough for when she's full grown.

I've been doing some shopping around and am not sure whether to go with the L or XL. On a side-note, I live out in the woods and am concerned that a doggy door might let other critters inside (aside from my two cats!). What about possums, *****, etc.? Are they smart enough to use it too? I'd hate to drive home one night, park the car, hop and and get sprayed by a skunk Anyway, any help/advise would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[mandymmr]

If you are worried about other critters then I suggest getting an electronic dog door!


http://cgi.ebay.com/PetSafe-LARGE-S...66:2|39:1|72:1205|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50



and yes other critters can figure out the basic one!

 

[FourIsCompany]

We've never had any trouble with critters. You may while he's a puppy, but no critter in his right mind would enter an area with an adult GSD. We've had an open doggie door (in the country) for 7 years and nothing has ever come in that wasn't dragged in by a dog. It CAN happen, but it's rare.

For an adult GSD, you could get by with a large. But under your circumstances, I would go for an extra large, just to make sure you can place it low enough for a puppy to get over, yet still have enough height for the adult dog to fit through. I would go to WalMart of K-Mart or some other discount store and just buy the best one they have.

If you're placing it in a wall, that's going to be thicker than a door, so you'll be mounting it on the inside only and you'll have to figure out a way to frame out the thickness of the wall so moisture and critters can't get in there, or you'll have a MESS. You can use 2x4s or even a thick plastic, if your dog won't chew it, that is. I'd go ahead and use 2x4s for that reason.

Something like this:

 

[MaddieTheDog]

I would bust a hole in the wall, or cut a hole in the screen door.

Kidding.