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Wildlife coming in dog door and/or in dog run
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Posted by abma 5 (My Page) on Tue, Oct 20, 09 at 23:52
Hi,
We are moving to a mildly rural place where coyotes and fox are often seen.
We have a dog that likes to go in and outside throughout the day and night.
We would like to install a dog door in the new house. Do you think we are risking a fox, coyote or other animal coming in our home?
Another question - Our dog is only 30lbs. Outside the dog door, I thought we might need to fence in a nice size dog run so animals like coyotes could not get to her but if we do that, do we really need a fenced roof so the coyotes cannot jump over into her run?
Thank you for you thoughts!!
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Wildlife coming in dog door and/or in dog run
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An acquaintance of ours, who also lives in a rural area, had a possum come in through the cat door. Probably you wouldn't get coyotes coming to visit, but raccoons and possums and mice are a real possiblity. I wouldn't advise installing a pet door.
I'd take the dog for a long walk just before bedtime, and keep her in all night. A run would be nice, but definitely with a covering of some sort. |
RE: Wildlife coming in dog door and/or in dog run
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| We have a critter door in our garage so the cats can get in from the weather in the winter. We are pretty rural and I would NOT put a critter door in our house. I currently do not have an animal that I want coming and going freely (very elderly dog who wanders, lots of ouside cats) so it isn't an issue. We have coons, possum, coyotes, and any number of wild animals running around here at night. I wouldn't think you have to worry about coyotes coming in but depending on your climate, coons and possum can get desperate for food and become quite bold when the weather turns cold and resources are scarce. I agree with Marlingardener, walk her or let her out before bed. I personally don't think it is safe for a small dog outside in a rural place overnight or unattended for an extended time. Lori |
RE: Wildlife coming in dog door and/or in dog run
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| A coyote will jump a fence to get a cat or small dog - so put a roof on the run. Coons and 'possums will learn to use a pet door and they can do a lot of damage inside your house (well, actually, you do the damage trying to convince them to leave!). |
RE: Wildlife coming in dog door and/or in dog run
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| We installed an electronic doggie door. It will only allow an animal that is wearing a special collar to enter or exit. This safe guards you from awaking to a skunk ambling around on the kitchen floor like we did with the old door. |
RE: Wildlife coming in dog door and/or in dog run
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Thank you all. Seramas, I am so glad you mentioned that. I had heard of that once before but forgot. It is brilliant and I will pursue it.
That and a roof on our dog run. :)
Appreciate everyone taking the time to help. |
RE: Wildlife coming in dog door and/or in dog run
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| My neighbors had a dog door with one of those electronic latches. My cat learned to wait until the dog was close enough, then dash through the door and eat the dogfood. |
RE: Wildlife coming in dog door and/or in dog run
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| LoL, lazygardens! Critters learn to adapt, pretty smart aren't they? Lori |
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