Can you lock a dog door? A Step-by-Step Guide

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Locking Covers and Other Pet Door Security Devices

We see lots of concern from customers about the security of their pet door; particularly if they need a large dog door. Extra-large pet doors are often big enough for a person to crawl through. There are a number of products on this page for both dog doors and cat doors that increase the security of your pet door. We also have information on locking systems for wall mounts, small dog doors, and electronic doors.

In Doors & Walls:

  • Most doors will come with a doggy door locking cover which goes into the interior frame. Some are more high-security dog doors such as the Hale or Endura locking cover. Sliding covers are not interchangeable across brands without modification to the cover or the door
  • Certain frames will have channels to slide your locking cover into the frame, preventing your pet from entering and keeping intruders from coming in. Other actually screw to the interior frames for added security
  • Small dog doors and cat doors are often too small and do need locking systems. However, there are more than just people who might want to get into your home! Many cat doors have anti-raccoon systems in their design
  • Although not for this purpose, the locking covers for energy-efficient pet doors like the Endura Flap and Ruff-Weather can help increase their insulation when not in use. When the nights get colder, putting the covers on will help even more to keep the elements out
  • A few pet doors allow for a four-way locking device which controls in-only, out-only, both ways open, both ways locked. This uses the door flap as the cover so no dog door slides are needed to secure it
  • Electronic pet doors like the PetSafe SmartDoor tend to not come with a security cover because they only open/unlock by means of your pet’s microchip or electronic collar tag. They will often have their own locking systems in place

    • In Sliding Glass Doors:

  • Most patio panels do not lock directly into your existing slider. Instead, all sliding door inserts come with smaller locking features, with other related products available for purchase
  • You can use foot locks or clamp locks, which attach to the bottom of the sliding glass door frame. Clamp locks are manual and require no tools. Foot locks drill into the frame and are convenient to use
  • For additional pet door locks, you can use a Charley bar or dowel in the track. The bar mounts near the center of the sliding door vertically, applying a more even pressure reducing any chance of air leaking between the sliding glass door and the pet insert

    • Can you lock a dog door?

    Security Frame Covers:

    This is a new category with one item at present–the Watchdog Security Pet Door Locker. But it is a winner. 12 gauge steel, combination lock that you set, intrusion resistant hardware. There is simply going to be an easier way into your house than through your doggie door. If you have a vacation home, take vacations, or just want peace of mind at night, you need to take a look at this. They can be installed into door mounts and wall mounts.

    Note: Dog doors that do not include a locking cover are usually ones intended for kennel use where the locking function is obtained through a separate guillotine type dog door. Please note that many manufacturers do not make their locking covers available on a wholesale basis so availability can be limited.

    Not all pet door locking covers are easily replaced because the manufacturers often do not wholesale them. This is particularly true of Petsafe and Ideal pet products. If you dont see your brand in this collection, call the manufacturer of your pet door for help or email us a photo of your door and we can let you know who to contact for a replacement locking door.

    Dog Doors That Lock with a Key

    If you’re looking for a dog door that locks with a key, the PlexiDor Performance pet door range is hard to beat;

    Sizes:

    Features:

    4 sizes: S, M, L, XL

    Suits pets up to 220 lbs

  • Lockable with key (M-XL)
  • Steel security plate (M-XL)
  • Comes with 2 keys (M-XL)
  • Strong aluminum frame
  • Saloon style panels
  • Energy efficient
  • 3 colors available
  • Made in USA
  • Small size does not come with a security plate or keys (it uses a spring loaded 4-way lock instead)

    • Silver and bronze colors are also available.

    Electronic model also available.

    How to Choose the Right Pet Door

    When getting a pet door, you must consider several factors.

  • Size of your pet or pets. The pet door must be tall and wide enough for your biggest pet to enter and exit easily through.
  • Yard features. For safety reasons, the pet door should open to a fenced backyard or other confined space, like a kennel run, and definitely not to an unsupervised swimming pool.
  • Your willingness to train your pet to use the door. When introducing anything new to your pet, training is a must. Get tips on training your dog to use a pet door here.
  • Location for the pet door. Will it be installed in a back door, a sliding patio door, a wall or another exit option? Your high-tech level of confidence. Some pet doors feature a special device on the pet’s collar that only lets that specific pet—and not any curious squirrel, neighborhood dog or other critter—in and out of your house.
  • Weather. Depending on where you live, you need to pick the right pet door to protect against extreme hot or cold temperatures as well as rain or snow.

    • When I lived in Oceanside, California, I teamed up with my neighbor, Jan, to cut a hole in a wall that was big enough to accommodate Chipper, my 60-pound Husky-Golden retriever mix, Cleo, my 12-pound terrier mix, and my two indoor cats, Zeki and Murphy. We purposely cut the wall opening between the studs, so it easily could be repaired, closed and drywalled, if necessary.

    We installed the correct-sized pet door that featured a waterproof seal and a sturdy flap for my Furry Fab Four to exit into an enclosed kennel run on the side of my house to do their “business” and to enjoy fresh outdoor breezes in a safe, confined area.

    Whether you wish to go the DIY route or put a pet door panel in your sliding glass door track, there are many pet door options to choose from for you and your four-legged family.

    Dog Door Hack

    There’s no two ways about it, when you have a pet they need to have easy access to the outdoors to be able to do their business. The last thing you want is your puppy stuck indoors the whole day and choosing your brand new rug as the perfect place to go to the toilet. Of course, for many people, adding in a dog door brings to light the issue of security. After all, if your dog can get in and out when they choose, does this mean intruders can do the same?