Frequently Asked Questions

A: An electronic pet door lets your furry friend have a key to the home. Many electronic doors just release a latch so the pet can push the door open, but the PlexiDor is a little different: it has a composite panel that slides up and down like a miniature electronic garage door.  The door and key use RFID, and when a pet with a key comes close, the door reads the pre-programmed code. If it's the right code, it will open. When the panel is closed, it acts as a security door. It has a safety to prevent it from closing if something is in the way, thus a pet's tail or paws can't get stuck in it. It is easy to program the door, and easy to add keys for more than one pet. One can also choose how long the door should stay open.

A: There are many reasons to adopt an older dog instead of a puppy. While puppies are adorable and it is hard to resist puppy breath and puppy kisses, they are also a lot of work. If you've decided to start the new year with getting a pet and you want a puppy, think it through and make sure you really have the time and energy needed for raising a little dog through the puppy and teenage stages.  If you answer no to the 24-7 job of having a little one, consider visiting a local shelter or rescue and give an older dog a new chance on life. (There are often puppies there too, of course.) Many dogs who end up in shelters and rescues are there through no fault of their own. In many cases the owner's family, living situation, or financial situation changed, and the pet finds itself homeless. Older dogs are often the last to be adopted - and the first to be euthanized. When you see a pet in a shelter, remember that the dog is stressed. Many shut down and become shy and unresponsive, others are hyper alert, ready for any chance to get away. The personality can change a little when you get home and your new pet settles in, and this process can take a couple of weeks until he or she figures out that they're home and safe. Once the dog has settled in, you'll have a devoted friend. When you adopt an older dog you know important things like their final size and grooming requirements. Older dogs are far less likely to be destructive chewers than younger dogs - and if they chew on something it's a training problem and not a teething problem. Older dogs are also more likely to be house trained than puppies. If the older dog isn't house trained or has accidents in the new home, they have the physical and mental ability to "get it" quickly while a young puppy just can't hold it. Older dogs require exercise just like younger dogs, but they might not have the super-explosve energy that wants you to play ball for five hours and then run a marathon. Seniors often like to chill out. Many believe older dogs can't learn new tricks. This isn't true. Training is great mental exercise for your furry friend, and it helps build the bond between you. To find your new best friend, visit local shelters or rescues, or check petfinder.com!

A: With the new year comes some new laws and statutes for animal protection. Some are practical, others sound a bit goofy but are clearly needed. It might seem self evident that getting close enough to lions, tigers, and other big cats to take a selfie is a bad idea. Self-portraits with this type of animals have still become more and more popular online, and starting February 2015 it will be illegal to pose for this type of photo in New York. The new rule specifically prohibits contact between members of the public and big cats at animal shows. New York is one of over 20 states with a ban on private citizens owning exotic animals, but all over the country it is believed that more exotic pets live in American homes than in American zoos. Seven states have no requirement of a license or permit to keep exotic animals. In these states you might need a license to own a dog, but you can buy a lion without thinking twice about it. Naturally, many who own exotic pets are responsible and give the pets great care, others are less careful. There is no firm definition of the term exotic pet - in some states it refers to any wildlife kept in a human household, or to a pet that's more unusual than a dog or cat. In 2015, New York also makes it illegal to tattoo and pierce pets. This law allegedly came about a after a woman attempted to sell gothic kittens with piercings, and a man tattooed his dog. The only exception is markings done by a veterinarian for a medial reason or identifications. On the other side of the USA, California takes a stand for farm animals. A new law requires that egg-laying hens, breeding sows, and veal calves have enough space to move around. It is no longer allowed to keep them in cramped cages. California also has a law that extends the space requirements for egg-laying hens for out of state suppliers.

A: The New Year holiday is just around the corner, and many Americans will celebrate the birth of the new year with fireworks, firecrackers, and even gunshots. While you and your neighbors celebrate, keep your pets in mind. Cats, dogs, and other pets generally don't like these loud noises, and the bright flashes of fireworks can add to their terror. Even dogs and cats that are normally calm can panic and run in an attempt to find safety from the perceived threat. Keep your pets inside. If they choose to seek out a dark corner or hide under the bed, let them be. Never underestimate a frightened pet's ability to flee. If you have visitors coming and going it's a good idea to keep the pets separated so they can't get out the front door. If your family falls into the category that fires actual guns to celebrate the new year - fire into the ground, never up in the air. What goes up must come down, and bullets fired up in the air have been known to cause injury and even death on their return to the ground. Make sure your pets have ID badges on their collars, and that they're microchipped. Naturally, if you go to watch a fireworks display, leave your pets at home. Don't leave them in the car. Have a happy and safe New Year's holiday!

A: Derby the dog was born with deformed and disabled front legs, and would get around through dragging himself with the small forearms. His foster family got him a wheelchair, and while that worked well, they felt that he could get something even better. Thanks to technology and the new 3D printing technology, Derby got a Christmas miracle and is now able to run on newly created legs. 3D printers have been used to make cost efficient limbs for humans, but Derby is the first animal to get 3D printed prosthetics. The materials and tools that are developed for humans don't always work on animals. It is, for example, easy to scan a person's leg to fit a prosthetic, but not as easy to scan a dog's. The company making the leg molded a cast of fiberglass and scanned that into the printing system. Another problem is teaching the pet to use the prosthetic, and as you can see from the video, Derby has succeeded quite well - and he is becoming an Internet phenomenon. //youtu.be/uRmoowIN8aY

A: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year From all of us here at PlexiDor Pet Doors We here at PlexiDor Pet Doors are closing for the holidays.  The answering service at 1-800-749-9609 will remain available, and the office with customer service will be open again on December 26th. Until then, have a wonderful holiday!

A: Thank you for your support in 2014. We hope to see you again in 2015. Happy New Year!

A: Christmas is a holiday of giving, but if you're considering giving away a puppy, kitten, hamster, rabbit, ferret, guinea pig, or other animal, pause and think about it some more. Pets as surprise gifts are rarely a good idea. Pets give immense joy, but they require commitment too, and once the holiday is over shelters all around the country will overflow with abandoned animals. If you really want a pet and everyone in the family is onboard with the idea, you can go to a shelter and adopt one once the holidays are over. For Christmas morning, you can give the kids a stuffed toy as a promise you'll go to the shelter and look. Every pet deserves a good home where they are loved and receive proper care. If you want to surprise your own children with a pet, be aware that you as an adult will have the final responsibility to care for it. This includes ensuring the children respect it and aren't too rough with it. If you want to surprise someone else's child with a pet, discuss with the adults in the family and make sure everyone's on the same page. Christmas morning isn't a good time for new pets Even if all the adults in the family are on the same page, Christmas morning isn't the best time a year to get a new pet. Everyone's tearing into gifts, there are loud toys, potentially dangerous ribbons everywhere, chocolate, and general chaos. A new pet needs to land in calm environment where he or she can feel safe. You don't want a frightened, cowering animal that is overwhelmed by all the sudden attention, children squealing with excitement, and almost battling each other to hold it. Important things to consider before getting a pet: Different animals have different tempers and needs. Research the type of pet you're considering, and make sure the animal is right for your family. If you're getting a dog, research breeds and get a breed that fits your lifestyle. Do you have enough space? Enough money to get the equipment you need? Are you prepared for a lifetime commitment? Even small pets like guinea pigs can live for five years. Dogs can live for fifteen years, and some other types of pets live for decades. If you can't deal with someone being dependent on you every day for that amount of time, don't get a pet. All pets require attention, care, and training. Discuss the pet's schedule with the family. If you're getting a dog, he or she will need walks every day. Puppies need to go out every time they eat, sleep, or play - even if it's raining or in the middle of your favorite TV show. Make a budget. Include food, toys, treats, vet costs, kitty litter, straw, and whatever else your new pet will need. Plan for emergencies. Who can care for your pet if everyone in your family needs to travel somewhere? Create an emergency fund in case something happens and your pet needs urgent care. A child should not be sole caretaker of a pet. As an adult, the pet is your responsibility.

A: We got many wonderful entries to the 2014 PlexiDor dog food contest, and three winners have been drawn from the submissions. Don't lose hope if you didn't win this time - the contest is likely to return in 2015. Third Prize of a $25 Dunkin Donuts gift card goes to: Tiffany Hughes in Arizona. When asked what she thinks about the PlexiDor she answered, "The PlexiDoor sounds incredible and we would love to have one! With the varying temperatures in Southern AZ (very hot during the day and cool at night), it would be great to have a doggie door that helps regulate the internal temperature of the house without letting the outside temperature interfere. Our last plastic doggie door flap at our old house completely broke and though we tried taping it back on with duck tape and plastic tape, it was a futile battle and it ended up as a gaping hole." Second Prize of a $50 Dunkin Donuts gift card goes to: Sean Selman in Texas. When asked what he thinks of the PlexiDor, Sean answered, "Professionally engineered. Quality materials. Quiet. Energy-efficient. Completely secure. Long-lasting. Safe. Easy for pets to use. COOL FACT: Plexidor doggie doors are in Marmaduke. The Plexidor dog door is the door featured in Marmaduke when he moves to California. Last but not least! They are manufactured in the U.S.A.!!!" First Prize of 1,000 pounds of Black Gold Dog Food with delivery goes to: Penny Hamilton in Colorado. When asked what she thinks about the PlexiDor, Penny says, "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."   Congratulations to all the winners, and a warm Thank You to everyone who participated! 

A: Many use the new year holiday to reflect on the year that has passed, and to look forward on what they want to change. Top new year's resolutions for humans often include to exercise more, lose weight, and stop smoking. The new year can be a fresh start for your pets too.  Here are five ideas for New Year's Resolutions for your pet. 1. Measure your pet's food. Every time Over half of pets living in the USA are overweight. Measure your pet's  food every meal to make sure you're not overfeeding your furry friends. Keeping a healthy weight can decrease the risk of serious diseases and increase the pet's life span. 2. Do something new together It's easy to get stuck in a rut. Try something new - go hiking, take your dog to dogs, or try a dog sport. This is fun, a great way to bond, gives your pet important socialization, and you both get some exercise. 3. Groom your pet and brush their teeth A daily session does more than help your pet look great - it builds the bond between you. Brushing your pet can help alleviate your stress, and show him or her that you love them. Brushing teeth can be more of an ordeal until you both get used to it, but keeping pets' teeth clean is important to their overall health. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste meant for pets. 4. Teach your dog some new tricks Mental stimulation helps keep your pets healthy and happy. Practice tricks your dog already knows, and learn something new. Puzzle feeders and toys are also great to help keep your pet entertained and alert. 5. Check your pet's tags and microchip information When something changes - be it a phone number, an address, or even your name - there's a lot to think about, and the pet's information is often forgotten. If any of your information has changed, update your pet's tags and microchip information.