Frequently Asked Questions

A: Assuming the Chihuahua won't share the dog door with a larger dog, a small PlexiDor should be perfect. The average Chihuahua weighs somewhere between three and six pounds. The small PlexiDor dog door is designed for dogs up to 9 pounds and cats up to 24 pounds. If your dog is larger than 9 pounds, you may want to look at the medium door instead. The opening size of the small door is 6.5" x 7.25" and you can cut out the opening size in a piece of cardboard to see if your dog seems comfortable going through. The door is usually mounted between two and four inches from the floor, and the opening should be just above the dog's back.

A: The PlexiDor Electronic is a sturdy construction, but if the worst would happen and the door stops functioning, it's good to know what to do.  If you're trying to program a new key and the door refuses to accept it, the most common problem is that there are too many keys programmed - the door can only handle ten. If, for instance, some keys have been lost and replaced, you may need to remove the programmed keys and add them again. If the PlexiDor Electronic won't respond to any collar keys, but functions properly when the TEST button is pressed on the green circuit board, there might be a break in the antenna wire. To test this, you need three tools: Phillips-head screw driver, to lower the upper panel cover 1/8" flat-head screw driver, to unscrew the antenna wires from the circuit board A Continuity Tester or Volt Ohm Meter If you don't have a Volt Ohm Meter or can't borrow one, a Continuity Tester is an inexpensive tool, readily available at most hardware stores. Test the tool before you leave the hardware store - these tools are inexpensive and sometimes broken right out of the package. If you can open the package and clip the alligator clip onto the probe, the light at the end of the tester will light up. This means that it's working. To test the door, unplug it from the power source and lower the upper panel cover. Make sure your Continuity Tester still works through clamping the alligator clip to the probe. The light at the end of the tester should come on. Use a small flat-head screwdriver to unscrew the two antenna wires from the green connector box. See image below. Squeeze the alligator clip and clamp it onto one of the antenna wires. It doesn't matter which one. Wrap the other antenna wire around the probe and hold it in place with a finger. Did the light on the Continuity Tester come on? If so, the antenna wire is not broken. You will need a new circuit board. If the light doesn't come on, the antenna wire has a break. You will need a new antenna panel.

A: Many pet door owners are used to replacing their dog door flaps once a year or even more often. Good news: the PlexiDor works on a completely different system that doesn't use flaps. You will never have to replace the flap on a PlexiDor pet door! The PlexiDor has see-through panels made from a special material called K9 COMPOSITE™. It is very sturdy, similar to that used in airplane windshields. The PlexiDor small - designed for cats and small dogs - has a single panel and the other pet door sizes two panels that open like a saloon-style door. Many pets love using the door as a window to the outside, and pets who are afraid of using a flap door often do very well with a PlexiDor, since they can see what's on the other side. The panels stand up to weather and to dogs running in and out all day long, every day. If you have a large dog who likes to chew on things, you may want to consider the PlexiDor extra large - this size door has a chew-proof trim around the panels. Flap doors usually work through gravity; the pet pushes the flap open and it falls down. This doesn't work on a saloon-style design, and there are springs concealed in the frame that will pull the panels closed once the pet is through. There are many other differences between a PlexiDor and a regular flap door. This article gives a good overview.

A: The large PlexiDor is the right size dog door for a Labrador. There are differences between English and American labs, but the PlexiDor large accommodates dogs up to 100 pounds, and it is rare for a Labrador to weigh more than that. The average female weighs in somewhere between 55 and 70 pounds, and the average male between 65 and 80 pounds. It is always a good idea to measure the dog before ordering. The opening size for the large PlexiDor is 11 3/4" x 16" - you can cut it out in a piece of cardboard and check if your dog will go through. Remember, the opening will not be at floor height; the door is usually mounted 8-10" from the floor. They will lift their legs to go over the threshold. The top of the opening should be just above the pet's back. Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.

A: The PlexiDor Extra Large is designed for giant breeds, such as the Great Dane. It is also perfect for breeds such as Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, Saint Bernards, and Neapolitan Mastiffs. The PlexiDor is the best dog door for a Great Dane or other giant breed. Many owners of dogs this size have attempted to use traditional flap doors, and found the door can't stand up to the power of a 220 pound dog hitting it at full speed. Common problems include torn flaps, warped frames, or frames torn right out of the household door. When designing the Extra Large PlexiDor, we took great care to construct a door that won't warp, break, or be chewed to pieces - that still opens easily enough for a smaller pet to use it. A large dog means a large opening in the door or wall, and the PlexiDor helps with this too. The door is constructed to be energy efficient, keeping summer heat and winter cold outside. Measure your dog carefully. The opening size of the dog door is 16" x 23 3/4" and the door is most often mounted around 12" to 14" above the floor. The top of the opening should be just above the dog's back. If you're unsure of the fit, cut out the hole size in a piece of cardboard and check if your pet can go through.

A: A teacup size dog can use a dog door, just like larger dogs do. Since they're so small they will need a door that swings open easily, and the PlexiDor is a good choice. In a household without larger dogs, the PlexiDor small is the right size door. If several dog sizes are to share the same door, most small dogs figure out how to open one panel on the saloon style PlexiDor pet doors. Make sure you install the door low enough for the small dog, or provide something to stand on. When it comes to training, the procedure is the same as for larger dogs. Some figure their new door out in minutes and others may need a few days.  

A: The PlexiDor dog doors and cat door have spring hinges that bring the panels closed immediately after the pet goes through the door. The PlexiDor will stay closed up to approximately 30 mph direct wind. In extreme weather conditions, we recommend keeping pets inside and locking the pet door. Some areas have frequent high winds, and it may be helpful to install the pet door through a wall. That way it's possible to construct something outside to baffle the wind. Give us a call at 800-749-9609 Opt 3, Monday to Friday 10 AM to 4 PM for more information.

A: The PlexiDor pet doors are designed to fit the thickness of standard US household doors. If your door is thicker or thinner than the PlexiDor frame adjusts for, there are some easy fixes. If the household door is too thin, you can make trim pieces from plywood or some other thin wood to make up the difference. Once the PlexiDor is installed, you usually can't tell the difference. If the household door is too thick, you need to add trim pieces to the "tunnel" through the door to make up the difference in thickness. Start by using a water barrier tape, like roofing tape, around the edge of the installation hole to make sure water won't creep in under the trim piece.  

A: The PlexiDor Electronic is a sturdy pet door that doesn't require a lot of maintenance. Keeping the tracks clean, so the panel can slide up and down, is the most important thing to keep the door in good working order. From time to time, you may also want to clean and lubricate the locking mechanism. This is an easy procedure that will help ensure smooth operation. Start by removing the motor cover at the top of the door. Next, unscrew the Phillips Head screws that secure the upper cover panel. Flex the upper cover panel so you can pull it out of the frame. This allows you to see the panel that moves up and down to open and close the door. The locking rod is behind the panel, right to the left of the strap that lifts the panel. Looking behind the panel, you can see the locking mechanism. If there is dirt or debris, vacuum it out. Then, apply of a drop of 3-in-one oil to the locking rod, just in front of the three brackets, see the red arrows on the instruction. Replace the upper cover panel and motor cover.

A: This page is for Extra Large PlexiDor dog doors manufactured before 2008. If your door is newer, please follow these instructions instead! Some of the parts needed are not included in the spring kits for sale, because they are intended for the newer doors. Suggested tools needed: 6 inch needle-nose vise-grip 5/16" nut driver 1/8" Allen Wrench Remove the interior frame from the house door or wall through unscrewing the four retaining screws and sliding the dog door out of the mounting hole. Remove the spring hoods by unscrewing the hex-head screws and lifting the hood over the rivet head. Remove the pivot screw that holds the bent arm in position, using a 5/16 nut driver. Remove the bent arm and spring. This is a good time to clean the frame. You can use warm water with Dawn to wipe it down. Cleaning it will make it easier to install the new springs, and it will ensure you don't get dirt and grime in the new spring assembly. Once all the parts of the old spring have been removed: Push the new pivot pin into the frame Put nylon tube spacer over the pivot pin Put the spring over the nylon tube spacer Put the metal internal tooth washer on top of the spring Put the new bent arm assembly parts together as pictured below: The spring must be "charged" to close the door panels: Place the spring to the tail that points up slightly is on the bottom When you face the door, the slightly bent spring tail will be in front of the vertical plate on the left spring side. On the right side of the door, the slightly bent spring tail will be behind the vertical plate. Using a pair of small wire gripping pliers, grab the top spring tail, wind it around and hook it over the vertical plate If the new spring is too tall and the vertical plate isn't tall enough to wrap the spring tail around, use a small flat-head screwdriver, place it under the end of the vertical plate, and tap the vertical plate gently upwards with a hammer until you have enough height for the spring Put the new bent arm assembly on top of the spring and tighten with a 1/8 inch Allen wrench. It should be snug, but not over-tightened. Make sure to hold the panel centered while doing this, otherwise the door panels won't center when closing. Apply a coat of good quality grease to the springs. We recommend white lithium grease or marine grease. Do not use WD40. Replace the spring hood and screw it in place. Do not over-tighten. The new spring should not touch the top of the spring hood, if it does, leave the spring hood off. Reinstall the interior frame in the mounting hole and you are done.