Frequently Asked Questions

A: Most pets take to their cat door or dog door quickly. They are eager to be outside, and love the option to go in and out whenever they want to. Some pets are intimidated by the door at first, but with a little patience your cat or dog will learn to use the door. Most pets learn in between five seconds and five days. The PlexiDor is different from traditional cat flaps and dog doors in many ways. The difference most important from the pet's point of view is that your cat or dog can see through the panel. Many cats and dogs like to lie just inside the door and peek out at what's happening outside. Being able to see through also makes it easier for many pets to learn to use the door - they can see the outside, and they want to get there. If the pet doesn’t take to the door, try propping one of the panels open and tempting the pet with a treat. If the pet is reluctant, start with propping both panels up. Never force your cat or dog through the door, and give praise once they do come through. Be patient - they'll get it. 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 to it. //youtu.be/bi01-eLGF7s

A: You can install a pet door through a wall. The PlexiDor dog doors and cat door are available for door or wall installation. The door kit makes it easy to install the pet door through a standard house door. A somewhat handy person can do this themselves and it doesn't take long. The house door isn't always the best place for the pet door - sometimes a wall fits better. The PlexiDor wall kits can be installed in cement, stud, brick or block walls up to 12 inches thick. The kits come with an aluminum tunnel to connect the interior and exterior frame. When you install a pet door through a wall it can be trickier than installing through a door - it is more difficult to make a hole in the wall than through a door. (An important tip is cutting from the outside - keep the mess outside the house!) You also need to check if it's a load-bearing wall or not. This video shows how to install a PlexiDor through a door and through different forms of walls. It begins with installing through a door. Wall installations start around 9 minutes in and will go through the installation process through different wall materials. //youtu.be/tf_qvEg8tsw

A: Each year, the website vetstreet.com compiles a list of most popular names for puppies and kittens. The 2014 puppy names lists were recently released.  For female puppies, the top three remains constant. Bella is the number one name, and has kept that position since 2006. The first book in the wildly popular Twilight saga was released in 2005 and the heroines name is Bella. That could be a coincidence, or maybe not... The other names in the top three - Daisy and Lucy - have also held their positions for years. When it comes to the boys, Max has been the number one name for nine years. The second most popular name used to be Buddy, but this name was kicked down to a number four position in 2014. Instead, Charlie and Rocky have filled out the second and third spot. Top 2014 puppy names for girls are: Bella Daisy Lucy Sadie Molly Lola Sophie Zoey Luna Chloe Top names for boy puppies are: Max Charlie Rocky Buddy Cooper Duke Bear Zeus Bentley Toby

A: Today is Cat Herders' Day - a whimsical holiday dedicated to all those who feel like they're battling an impossible task. Whether you're literally trying to herd cats - a task that have been attempted by many herding dogs - or you're struggling with something else, today is your day.  For cat people, the day means promoting everyone's efforts to improve the lives of stray and homeless cats and other animals, and to take some time to appreciate the cats in our lives. If you don't have a cat, adopting one and listening to its soothing purr might help alleviate the stress of managing the unmanageable. If you've never seen a herding dog at work, check out this Youtube video of two Border Collies working together to bring in the sheep. Those dogs can run! //youtu.be/8HwwdSKrqEk

A: The PlexiDor Electronic  pet door is a unique solution that works well for both dogs and cats. The door has a composite panel that slides up and down, and the panel is controlled by an RFID key attached to the pet's collar.  When the pet comes close to the door, the panel slides up. The door will only open for pets with the right key. When the door is closed the panel acts as a security door. The collar key is waterproof and lacks moving parts, so it is very sturdy while being small enough not to disturb the pet. See the PlexiDor Electronic dog door and cat door in action in this video: //youtu.be/zxeAnyQhrrI

A: Dog bite force myths need to be debunked. Some people who are afraid of dogs will claim that certain dog breeds can exert over 2,000 pounds of pressure with their jaws. It's an impressive number - and an enormous exaggeration. They bite harder than a human, but not as much harder as one could think. The average human can bite down with a 120 pound force. A grown up man can reach around 150. It's not a lot, but being bit by a human will still hurt and do damage. It is more difficult to measure the exact bite force of dogs, because they won't bite as hard every time, and they will bite harder if they're provoked. The force they can chow down with depends on the shape of the jaw and the size of the dog's head One test measured three dog breeds that often strike fear in those afraid of dogs; American Pit Bull Terriers, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers. (If you are afraid of dogs, you should know that all dogs can be good and all dogs can be bad - it depends on the owner and not the breed.) The average dog bite force turned out to be 269 pounds of pressure. The Rottweilers were the strongest and topped with 328 pounds of bite pressure. German Shepherds came in second with a 238 measured dog bite force, and the American Pit Bull Terrier came in third with 235 pounds of pressure. How does that measure compared to cousins in the wild? Dogs are at a disadvantage.  A wolf's normal bite force is around 400 pounds. If it is protecting itself, a large wolf can bite down with over 1,200 pounds of pressure. Large cats are very strong. A Jaguar can reach 700 pounds of pressure, and Siberian Tiger 950. You might not think of Hyenas as strong, but even though they are scavengers they also hunt, and most of the time they chase down their own food. A hyena can bite down with 1100 pounds, and they've been known to chase off lions to claim food. When it comes to our primate cousins, the Gorillas are the largest and strongest. An adult male gorilla can weigh 400 pounds, and bite down with a strength of 1,300 pounds per square inch. Now, that doesn't mean that you should fear gorillas - they are herbivores, peaceful, and shy. Many who visit the south are afraid of alligators, and it is certainly wise to abide by regulations and warning signs. The American Alligator has a bite strength of 2125, sharp teeth, and powerful muscles to hold their prey. This still pales compared to the Nile Crocodile that can close their mouths with a pressure of 5000 pounds. While alligators and crocodiles can run fairly quickly on land,  it's nowhere near what urban myths claim. They can lounge out of water at a fairly high speed, but the land speed record is around 10 mph, and they grow tired quickly when on land. Alligator attacks are extremely rare. The risk of being injured in an unprovoked alligator attack is around one in 2.4 million.

A: Some human behaviors translate poorly into the world of dogs, and they often cause accidents or bites. Here are four things we humans tend to do that dogs in general don't like. Four Things Dogs Don't Like: 1. Misreading the dog's signals A vast majority of dog bites, especially when children are involved, happen because humans misread a dog's body language. Parents can think something is cute, but the dog just wants to get away, even if it knows the child. The follow signs should be put in context, of course, and each sign below is usually accompanied by other signs of stress. Licking nose and lips A stressed dog licking nose and lips looks very different than when you feed your dog a treat. Yawning A stressed dog often yawns repeatedly, with intensity. Some dogs even yawn when they need to go out. Panting Of course dogs pant to cool off, but it is also a common sign of stress. Other common signs include looking away, turning away, pinning back the ears with a tense facial expression, low body posture, leaning backward, and tension. 2. Hugging Hugging is a human phenomenon. Many dogs get used to being hugged by their family members and can even learn to appreciate it, but there are also dogs that never get used to it. Hugging a dog can make them feel threatened or challenged. There are countless news stories where a child has been bit by the neighbor's dog - or even the family's own dog - and the parents say, "It came out of the blue. She was just hugging the dog." This misunderstanding between the species ends with a traumatized child and euthanized dog. 3. Patting on top of the head While most dogs love to be petted, that's not the same as going up to a dog and patting them on the top of the head or on the face. Teach your children not to do this - especially not to dogs they don't know. While most dogs tolerate it, they might not like it, and some perceive it as a threat. They don't like a hand coming at them from above any more than a human would. When you meet a dog, crouch and turn away a little - this means that you're not a threat. When the dog comes up to you, pet it on the side. 4. Staring into a dog's eyes Most dogs are okay with gazing into their owner's eyes. However, don't approach a dog you don't know and stare into their eyes - this is a challenge in doggie language.

A: Holiday decorations are a big part of the season, and lights and cheerful colors spread joy in the winter darkness. Everything new in the house brings new dangers to pets as well, and here are some safety tips for pets on little things that can make a big difference. The tree Whether you use an artificial tree or a reason, make sure it's securely anchored so your pets can't knock it over. Especially cats are tempted to climb into the tree. Also clean up any tree needles regularly - they're sharp and can get stuck in your pet's throat or paws. Tinsel Pets love to play with and eat tinsel and ribbons. These can cause a lot of damage if swallowed, and even require surgery. Keep tinsel and ribbons off the floor. Baubles Many pets, particularly cats, see baubles as irresistible play things. Try to use decorations that won't shatter if they hit the floor, and that aren't too small. You don't want your pet to accidentally swallow a decoration. Power cords Protect cords so your pet can't play with them or chew on them. New house plants Many of the season's house plants are poisonous. Most people think the poinsettia is very dangerous, but it is only mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Pets shouldn't be encouraged to eat it of course, but the poinsettia's reputation is quite exaggerated. Mistletoe, rosemary, and holly can be dangerous to cats and dogs. Keep them out of reach, and contact a veterinarian if you think your pet has ingested any type of holly.

A: The Belgian Malinois is a breed used by police forces all over the world, and they excel at security work, protection, search and rescue, scent detection, and many other things. However, dogs are individuals just like people, and police work isn't for everyone.  Cash is a two year old Belgian Malinois, and he was supposed to join the police force of Cannon Beach, Oregon. While he surely did his best, it was soon clear to the officers that Cash wasn't cut out for the job; the poor dog was afraid of heights, skittish, and maybe even afraid of drugs - he'd bark aggressively instead of sniffing them out. Cash is now returned to his original owner, and will hopefully find a new career. The Belgian Malinois was originally bred to be a herding dog. Many confuse the dogs with German Shepherds, but they are quite different dogs. They are generally quick to learn and eager to please their humans, they have an abundance of energy, and require interaction and exercise.

A: Brazil has undergone large changes during the last few decades, and the quickly urbanizing middle class work more, earn more, and have kids later than previous generations. They also get more and more pets. The population of Brazil is roughly 200 million people. They also have almost 20 million small dogs, and this is more per capita than anywhere else in the world. The total number of dogs in the country is around 36 million, and the average home is more likely to have at least one dog than to be dog-less. Most of these pooches get specialized care - they are blessed by priests, driven in pet taxis, taken for specialized grooming, and bred in dog love motels. The most common breeds are small terriers, shih tzus, and chihuahuas. The top five countries for small dog ownership are: Brazil Portugal Mexico Philippines USA The countries with the least small dogs are: India Turkey Indonesia Egypt Saudi Arabia Egypt only has one small dog for every 5,600 people, and Saudi Arabia one small dog for every 9,400 people.