Frequently Asked Questions

A: Most pets take to the PlexiDor pet door, because they can see the outside through the panel, and it is easy for them to open the dog door or cat. Teaching a cat or dog to use the Plexidor pet door usually takes somewhere between a few seconds and a week. If your cat or dog doesn't immediately go through the pet door, try propping the panels open and calling for the pet. Put something they really want on the other side, like some stinky treat. The smellier the better, and small pieces of cheese or meat usually does the trick. Be patient, and praise progress. When it comes to the electronic PlexiDor pet door, the trick is to get the pet close enough for the panel to open. Place the treat on the bottom lip of the pet door. When your pet approaches to get the treat, the collar key will open the door. Most pets catch on quickly. Pets are different, just like we are. Some will get it and love their dog door or cat door at first sight, others need a little longer. Don't hesitate to contact us if you need help!

A: Many find pet door sizing counter-intuitive. It's easy to fall into the thought-trap that the dog door needs to be as tall as the dog is, and the right size can look small compared to the dog. Remember that most dogs bow their head and lift their legs when they go through the door. This means the dog door can be shorter than the dog. A correctly installed dog door is raised from the floor, making  a threshold for the dog to step over. Look at the image top right. Why not make the door taller? It might be an option for a family with fairly small pets. If you have a large dog, that would give an enormous hole in the door or wall. Besides being inefficient, a door panel the size of a Great Dane would be very heavy for the dog to open. What if I have smaller and larger pets? The PlexiDor dog doors are easy to open, and a smaller pet can generally open and use a larger door. You might have to adjust the height from the floor to find a position where the large dog doesn't have to crouch to get through, and the smaller dog can still reach to get in and out. PlexiDor dog doors come in sizes from small to extra large, and can accommodate everything from the smallest Chihuahua to an Irish Wolfhound. Click here to download a size chart with recommended dog weights and dog door measurements. If you have any questions about door sizing, don't hesitate to contact customer service. They have extensive experience and will help you find the best door for your pets.

A: Dogs come in many shapes and sizes. Zeus is currently the biggest of them all. This world record holder is a Great Dane from Michigan and with 44 inches from foot to withers he measures the same size as an average donkey. If he stands on his hind legs, he reaches 7 feet 4 inches. Zeus weighs 155 pounds and eats around 12 cups of food every day. He's too big to ride in the back of a car, and his family had to buy a van to be able to transport him. The world's smallest dog is a 2 year old Chihuahua from Puerto Rico. Milly stands 3.8 inches tall when measured from backbone to paw, and weighs around 1 pound. She is shorter than a can of soup. When Milly was born, she weighed less than an ounce and fit in a teaspoon. She was too small to nurse from her mother, and the family gave her milk every two hours from an eyedropper. Today she eats twice a day and prefers small meals of salmon or chicken. The smallest dog in terms of length is also a Chihuahua. Brandy lives in Florida, weighs two pounds, and measures 6 inches from her nose to the tip of her tail.

A: Cats and dogs are just as susceptible to teeth problems as humans, and problems with teeth can lead to other health issues.  Luckily, you can prevent toothaches and tartar. Some of the most common warning signs for tooth and gum problems include: Bad breath Sensitive mouth Loss of appetite Deposits on the teeth Inflamed, bleeding, or withdrawn gums Loose teeth Missing teeth Pawing at the mouth Problems chewing You can teach your dog or cat to let your brush its teeth at any age, but it will be easier the earlier you start. Always give plenty of praise and rewards. Start by wrapping some gauze around your finger and rub your pet's teeth with this. This will help your pet get used to the brushing process. Show  your pet a dog or cat toothbrush and let them get used to the brush. There are specially designed toothbrushes and toothpaste - don't use human toothpaste. Focus on the gumline, and make a routine of brushing at least a few times per week. Every day is the best.

A: Cats and humans have walked side by side on land for thousands of years. It is less known that cats have shared the seas with us. They have a great ability to adapt to their surroundings, and thrive on ships. In today's society many people consider black cats bad luck. At sea, it was the complete opposite. Cats, particularly black cats, were believed to protect ships from dangerous weather. Fishermen's wives would keep black cats at home, hoping they would protect the men at sea. The US Naval Institute writes, "It is likely that the ancient Egyptians were the first seafarers to realize the true value of having cats as shipmates." The kitties protected the ships from rats and mice, served as company, and could to some extent warn for foul weather. Cats have sensitive inner ears, and low atmospheric pressure often make them nervous and restless. Without the presence of cats, a crew might find their ship overrun with rats and mice that would eat into provisions, chew through ropes, and spread disease. It was also common to adopt cats from foreign lands to serve as souvenirs and remind the crew of their pets at home.

A: Ralphee is an adorable kitten with feline cerebellar hypoplasia. Those big words translate into, "neurological disorder that affects motor skills." It shows in jerky and uncoordinated movements. Many cats with this condition falls often and has trouble walking. They also suffer tremors. The condition can come from a bacterial or viral infection, malnutrition, poisoning, injury, or an accident. The cat can learn to compensate for the disease, and can live a fairly normal life with a normal life span. When it comes to Ralphee, he is lucky. He was rescued from a horse stable, and now he has his very own cattle dog to look after him. Love and caring really spans the species. Ralphee might not have the physical grace of many other kittens, but he is cute as a button, healthy, and filled with mischief. //youtu.be/f31m5-5-xUY

A: This is a baking time a year for many, and holidays line up. It's tempting to give the pets some of our treats, but human foods and cookies aren't all that good for them. Better to make them something of their own. To make this recipe, you need: 2 cups wheat germ 3 jars of chicken baby food (check so it doesn't have onion) 1 tbsp water To make the cookies, you need to strain the baby food and mix it with wheat germ and water. Make balls of the dough, flatten the balls with a fork, and bake in 350 F in 20-25 minutes. Super easy, and dogs love them!  

A: There are many stories about dogs eating everything from stuffed toys to gravel. Some dogs never get into trouble, and others eat everything they can get a hold of. If your best friend falls into the latter category it's wise to dog-proof your home. If doggie can't get to something, he won't eat it. If your dog still manages to eat the remote control or something from the laundry pile, go see a vet. If your normal vet is closed, call the nearest emergency animal clinic and tell them what happened. Some objects will pass on their own, but others can create great damage. Many pet owners are tempted to wait and hope for the best - even if the dog ate something toxic - but it's not a wise course of action. Call a veterinarian. The more time that passes, the costlier it will be to fix the problem - and the more dangerous to your pet. Common signs that your dog ate something he shouldn't have include vomiting, gagging, stomach pain, lethargy, loss of appetite, changes in bowels, and changes in behavior.  

A: In yesterday's post, we mentioned five dog training tips. Here are five more that will hopefully make training and everyday life easier. 1. Have realistic expectations Changing a behavior takes time, especially if it's a deeply rooted habit that has been going on for a long time. Re-training an adult dog takes longer than teaching a puppy the first time. It is never too late to change a behavior, but some things will take longer than others. For example, if you've allowed your dog to jump up to greet people for five years,  but decide that the behavior isn't okay anymore, it will take a while to learn a new way of greeting. 2. Some behaviors are harder to change Barking, digging, and jumping are "normal" behavior for a dog, and these things will take longer to change even with diligent training than re-learning a trained behavior. Be patient and consistent. Barking, digging, and jumping are often considered problem behaviors. In order to teach a dog not to bark, it can be useful to teach him or her to bark on command first. If your dog loves to dig, it can help to give an allowed digging spot, like a doggy sandbox. If your dog jumps on people, try teaching a good "sit" and give the command "sit" before he actually jumps. 3. Watch what you reinforce The philosophy, "do as I say, not as I do" will not work on a dog. If you accidentally encourage an unwanted behavior, it will take a long time to "un-train" it. For example, your dog jumps on the door to make you open it. If you give in, the dog will know that jumping on the door makes it come open. Instead, make your dog sit before you open. It might not work at once, but dogs are smart and good at making connections. Another example is if your dog brings you a tennis ball and barks to make you throw it. If you throw the ball, the dog learns that barking makes you play. The next time he comes with the ball and barks you say no, but he keeps barking. If you throw the ball now, your clever pooch will know that persistence pays off. Ignore the barking and tell your dog to sit before you throw it. It is much easier to handle a dog who thinks sitting brings good things than one who knows that barking or jumping brings good things. 4. Rewards are good Many dog owners feel that using treats to train their dog is the same as bribing the dog. You don't have to use treats for training, but there's no harm in it if it helps you keep your dog's attention. Other good rewards are a toy, praise, and play. As long as the behavior you want produces the reward you're good. 5. Give new dogs and puppies limited freedom Limiting freedom to the house can sound harsh, but when you bring home a new puppy or a dog from a shelter, both your life and the dog's will be easier if you start with a small area and gradually open up your home. Let your new furry friend get used to the new place, the family, and your rules.

A: Sometimes nature calls and you can't do anything about it; if you gotta go, you gotta go. This was the dilemma faced by a service dog accompanying its handler on a plane from Los Angeles to Philadelphia last week. On a plane, humans can use the restroom, even if its small. Dogs don't have that luxury, and there's no outside to be had, so the dog did what it had to do in the middle of the aisle. The crew did the best they could to clean up the mess, but there is a limited amount of fresh air on planes. Passengers were soon turning to social media to complain about the stench. Then, just as everything seemed to settle down, the dog had to go again. By now the smell was so bad that sensitive passengers were throwing up, and the crew ran out of paper towels for cleaning up. The pilot made an executive decision and decided to land at the Kansas City International Airport. A cleaning crew went through the cabin, and the dog was finally able to take care of its needs outside.