Training your pet to use the
pet door
Most pets will learn to use the pet door almost at once but there are a few
who may be a little nervous at fi rst. The following tips will help your pet to
take full advantage of the outdoor freedom and indoor comfort - which
you want for your pet – and which your new pet door provides.
The most important rule is to be patient with your pet. Don't be in a hurry.
Let your pet work out for itself that it can go in and out of doors. Don't
force it through the fl ap or it may become frightened.
Many pet owners install pet doors when they move house. If this applies
to you, make sure that your pet is familiar with his or her surroundings
before you fi t the pet door. Take it on supervised trips outdoors on a lead
and make sure it also feels secure and comfortable in its new indoor
environment. Cats especially can develop long lasting fears in
unfamiliar surroundings.
Once you have installed your pet door, leave the fl ap open for some
time. You can do this by using a long strip of masking tape; open the fl ap
and use the tape to keep it held open by fi xing the other end of the tape
to the surface above. Make sure that the fi xing is secure so that the fl ap
can not fall down accidentally. Let your pet become familiar with it and
go in and out freely.
Establish a motive for your pet to use the door. For cats, a good one
is food. First feed the cat near the door, inside and then near the door
outside. Repeat as often as you need to. Most cats, especially kittens,
also have a strong urge for freedom, perhaps to hunt. Cats are also social
creatures - they enjoy the company of other cats. This can be another
reason for them to explore outside.
Dogs can be trained to use the pet door in a matter of hours. Dogs
respond to encouragement, repetition and especially play, so why
not use the door as part of a game? E.g. throwing a ball through the
pet door. Pat and congratulate the dog when the pet door is used
6
appropriately. Repeat several times congratulating the dog every time he
uses the pet door.
If this is something new to your pet, it may take some patience to teach
your pet how to use it. When your pet makes progress give them a lot of
praise - they've earned it!
Replacement Flap Fitting Instructions
FIG.10
1. Remove screws from the interior frame of the pet door (Fig. 10).
2. Remove bar and fl ap (Fig. 11).
3. Replace new vinyl fl ap and position horizontally and vertically to fi t
into door frame. Replace existing bar and tighten screws
in place (Fig. 12).
Replacement fl aps are available online at www.petsafe.net or by
contacting our Customer Care Centre. For a listing of Customer Care
Centre telephone numbers, visit our website at www.petsafe.net.
Cleaning the pet door
Your pet door is constructed in the highest quality material with
a toughened fl ap and has been designed to last for many years. To
maintain its appearance, occasional wiping with a damp cloth is all that
is necessary.
www.petsafe.net
FIG.11
FIG.12