If you’re installing a dog door in your house, be sure to pick the right size, material, locking settings, and color for your home.

Size and size-cut matters – measure your dog for a comfortable “fit”

Dog doors are available in various sizes, some can accommodate large dogs, some perfect for small dogs – that’s a large spectrum or varying heights and shoulder widths to choose from. Do you have a dog one could mistake for a pony? You should consider getting the extra large doors then. Also, just so you could see what features may be offered, you may want to think about getting a custom-made big dog door. You won’t have a problem with the size and shoulder width this way, since most dog doors of this size are of limited range only.

But if you got the most common one-size-range-fits-most dog door, you need to choose the size cut precisely. So you have to measure your dog’s dimensions – height, weight, and the width of its shoulders. Don’t guess, go ahead and measure and check where that measurement falls under in the size cut guide. So then you only need to follow the rest of the instructions in installing the dog door.

Only you, the pet owner, would be in a position to know just about everything about your dog – but if you make a mistake and get a smaller sized dog door measurement, you may inconvenience your pet. Your pet might need to kneel a bit lower and crawl just to get in.

Some pets are known to muscle their way when they see a way in or out, one in which they think they can fit through. That happens when they’re playing. With an ill-sized dog door, your pet might get injured or hurt needlessly. If it’s running away from an intruder or another dog, that ill-sized dog door can be a hassle.

Hard or soft flaps – not too many options there

When you have several dogs and you have a fenced garden or yard, that means your dogs can set up a running route around and through your house. You’ll need a dog door with a soft flap for that, so your dogs can enjoy the run and the exercise, which is good for them. For small home with over-energetic dogs that may abuse a soft flap, it’s recommended you use a hard flap.

Security matters – choose a dog door with lock settings

Dog flaps usually open both ways – inwards and outwards – but when a lock setting is available, it’s a good security measure. You can set it up to lock after your dog comes home at night, so the dog can’t leave again. Or you can do the reverse if you shoo them away because you’re vacuuming the house. For added security, consider an automatic dog door. Automatic dog doors unlock to let only your pet in – it uses a special collar the door can detect.