DIY Dog Door | Easily Install a Dog Door In a Wall

[@susanmacaluso5218]

We used packaging tape to hold up both flaps for the dogs to learn to go through. Once they felt comfortable enough, we let one flap down, followed by the next flap a few hours later. They learned really quick.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Great idea! Thanks for Sharing and for watching.

[@papacos4745]

Installing one of these this weekend for our Scottish Terrier puppy

[@petenelson8136]

The magnet strips can/will be blown open in strong winds that hit the door. If you have a problem with the wind opening the dog doors, you can build a small box outside and put a rug or something on the outside of it to knock down the wind before it hits the door (like a vestibule). I did this at my last house and it made a huge difference in keep in the cold, or warm air out of the house.

[@andrew40]

I have a single layer version of this in a sliding door, and the wind blows it open all the time. I think there are some concentric double flap versions that are supposed to be better about sealing. It's not too windy where I live, but it's always leaking.

[@brettm1118]

@@andrew40 I have a double flap version and the wind still whips through them… even worse when it’s snowing and blowing because then they freeze open 🥶.

[@jonneighbors5323]

I love these old AW style videos that have these great projects. Love the crawl thru and the bloopers.

[@wendypartida2206]

Thank you April, you and your canine friends and family are delightful.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thank you so much!

[@glencrandall7051]

Been there, done that, twice. Wish I had this video for the first one. But as that was about 18 years ago, I don't think it was ready yet. 🙂 Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.

[@dentaldoc1460]

Thanks for sharing! I have an outlet and a lightswitch close by. These tips are very helpful!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@RedBud315]

The first and only time until now I've ever seen a dog door in the wall was at a buddy of mines house where it was installed next to the kitchen cabinets on the inside of the house with no door nearby. On the outside of the house it was a patio where he had a dog house butted up against the house. So from the outside you had no clue it was even there unless you climbed into the dog house. What burglar would do that? I remember when I was a kid the parents would say "Either stay in or go out." I think they hated losing the A/C or heat but more so the sound of the door opening and closing like a business. You did a great job on this.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Good job April, liked how it turned out. Security camera pointed to the doggy door will help identify the unwanted guests if they get in also. Stay safe and keep up the good videos. Fred.

[@MrJustDIY]

Great DIY video I still remember the first video I watched of yours it was when you let us know you left your job to do this full-time. I'm happy it all worked out for you. You're Awesome April

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy my channel. Thanks for sticking around for the ride.

[@MrJustDIY]

@@AprilWilkerson You’re very welcome my friend

[@jimharkness1588]

I put one in my house about 5 years ago. Mine was required because we have French doors and our dogs were accustomed to a doggy door in the steel back door of our previous house. The benefit is for us as well as for them and, like you, visiting dogs like it too.

[@jongriffin6460]

Excellent video - the attention to details to avoid pitfalls (like cutting through wires or pipes) is invaluable. Love your zoo! You've inspired me to investigate a similar install at my house.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@trishblakely3476]

We installed a Power Pet electronic door. It’s great for our dog; she figured it out right away, and she just wears a small receiver on her collar. We went electronic because we have two strictly indoor cats, and one of them is definitely smart and adventurous enough to figure out a regular door. 🤣 A very useful project for the furry family. 😀🐶

[@nobodyelse-h6h]

you may as well do a video about it :)

[@mindymidcap1417]

I had an electric door for my two pups but my cats figured out this long the door is open after the dog would exit and then escape. Grr!

[@Drumhead2012]

Well done. I now feel confident I can handle this project on my own. If I get stuck I will watch this again. Stay well.

[@oodoodoopoopoo]

Great idea about cutting an electrical box test hole first! 💡

[@ron827]

The test hole was VERY smart and not surprising coming from April. It also provided a "handle" for removing the drywall.

[@mscupcakedreamson36]

Wow! I’m thinking about doing the same thing. I didn’t want to fight with the door. Thanks! I know your employees, love bringing their dogs to work.

[@davidscott3046]

great work April and your laugh is contagious

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@davidscott3046]

Always

[@marlowedogg619]

Thanks, April! Fun video, and informative too!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@eschrader]

I've watched so many handy builder tutorials and none were this thorough. Amazing job on this video. Thank you!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@chrisriney6056]

I did exactly what you did and when I was done I realized that a long arm person could could reach in and unlock the door from outside. So now I have two locks on my door. The second is about 2 to 3 ft above the original lock. I sleep better at night. Enjoy your content.

[@commonsensepatriot9450]

Great job. Our back door is glass so i wanted to see a thru the wall installation. Thanks!

[@allaboutcanines]

Love that you installed in a logical place for the dogs. Being used to going in & out of the human door, just made so much sense to use a dog-sized one right next to it. Important to close it off at night so you don't increase your pack by curious Texan night creatures. Great video.

[@profcah]

Great instructional video April. Now that I am a Texan and need a dog door this is the answer I was looking for. Keep it up!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brettm1118]

Best thing I ever did for my dogs. My border collie figured it out as soon as I cut out the opening!

[@MilkyClayGALAXY]

My dogs are happy, thank you so much 😊

[@jenniferjeppsen9684]

Yay!!! I never realized how easy it was to install. I need to install a couple in my new house so I’m so excited!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Awesome! Glad you found it useful.

[@gabycushenan8559]

So smart the test hole the size of a junction box/outlet!!!! Gave me the confidence to tackle my own project!! Thanks so much!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Awesome! Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.

[@rolandgraves6141]

so funny i just installed 1 from the house to my screened in porch and from the porch to the yard. i also climbed thru door too. some times you just got to know .. lol. i had to cut a stud out of the way and frame the inside in order to get mine in. it is a blessing now, knowing they can come and go when they need.

[@ashleighfarnham5586]

I'm about to install mine. This has made me a little more confident. Love your videos.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! Glad you found it useful.

[@UneasyBBJ]

I've thought about getting a dog door. I see how simple it is. Thanks April.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Very nice job. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Keep making. God bless

[@jimtownsend7899]

Love it! Don’t think I could ever do it, because my goofy girl would go through there, and we’d probably never see her again! The wanderlust is strong with this one!

[@Danman1972]

Pro tip from a professional home owner ;-) I did the same thing several years back. The plastic spacers on the bottom of the door cracked and broke and made it hard to the doggos to get in and out. Our smallest dog always hesitated with the door. I swapped the top and bottom, but the other did the same thing. This in a matter of a couple years. Do yourself a favor. Go to Harbor Freight and check a cheap thin cutting board. Make the strips from that and install. No problems after that. Worked well. Just used my table saw to rip the board into strips. Much better than the ones that came with it. Might not work for larger doors, but I think I had the same door as you.

[@bandman2964]

In the 5y I watched you the channel has grown a lot

[@AprilWilkerson]

Yep! It's been quite the journey to be sure. Thanks for staying along for the ride.

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

Really good to have a comprehensive vid on these doggy doors! I made one in a second hand screen door so the dogs can get to the back deck which is all fenced of course for their safety. doggy doors are a godsend! April, your "flock" is adorable....from one dog flock care provider to another .. cheers from Canada💯🇨🇦

[@angieemm]

I have Aussies and they were used to a doggie door at my last house (in the backdoor) but I'm renting where I am now and I've been stuck playing door butler. I'm in the process of buying again and I will definitely look at putting the door in the wall instead of trying to modify the sliding glass door with a panel or cutting up the back door again! Thank you so much for this video!

[@alejandrovasquez9218]

I installed an automotive dog door in my wall, it avoids the need to put the lock on it and secures 24hours a day from critters. A bit more expensive but it seemed worth it to me

[@gXXrGoNe]

I hope you ask your renter before cutting a hole in their wall. As a property owner i know id be taking legal action against a rentee doing such a thing to my property without asking. A door will be way more affordable to replace then a hole on an exterior wall!

[@lisebarrieau111]

@@gXXrGoNe original poster said they were looking to buy a property before doing this.

[@Scarletraven87]

Most piping forms a triangle between kitchen bathroom and boiler. What's left is the heating, and what goes upstairs. With electrical you won't cause as much damage, you just run into the risk of getting electrocuted. Just put the power off.

[@all4richie]

Great job!! I have a Rottie and an American bulldog. AZ heat is about to ramp up and this helped us so well!! Thank u

[@mikelopez9817]

This is great April, this is awesome! This is a small project I can accomplish for our Yorkie to facilitate her needs! Love it!!!

[@rongrose3746]

You have quite the crew there !! NICE JOB on the door !

[@Mike_In_Idaho]

Fantastic video!!! Thanks for the speed (not slow) and the thorough walkthrough and instructions.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Great! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@petem6503]

My dog was reluctant to go through, so I made a substitute flap out of a light, clear plastic and cut it vertically into four strips. That was easier, dog used it. About a week later, replaced the 4-strip door with a 2-strip. Then graduated to the original door.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@lorenmeyer5290]

Love the doggie door! Great job April!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks!

[@Terry_1111]

Thanks for sharing this because I need a new doggie door, too! I appreciate you, April, and the fact that you love dogs makes you even more endearing! 👏

[@AprilWilkerson]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr]

Another great video April! I really enjoy these practical, how-to illustrations. You explain them step by step and it is easy to follow along with you. Thanks!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy my channel. Thanks for watching.

[@TheHkluivert]

Haha, it’s me from Holland again: we drilled a 5 inch diameter hole through my walls once, for a ventilation channel. We needed a diamond drill and it took us about half an hour for just this one hole. What a difference! Good thing I don’t need a dog door 🙂

[@jdee4956]

Yes, American houses seem to be made of cardboard ...

[@twitchtwitch9006]

thank you for this videooooo. ive had this project on my mind for a hot minute now

[@jorgecoronajr1814]

My home had a small dog door installed by the previous owners. When our puppy outgrew the small door, I purchased this same model in a larger size. Enlarging the hole in the wall revealed what a crappy job the previous owners did. Turned the project into a day's long task. Overall it came out ok and the pup can fit through the door again.

[@BrianandSnoopy1]

that was a very enjoyable video. i loved the opening. Good work April :)

[@AprilWilkerson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BearCreekWoodworking]

Well, while I don't see a dog door in my near future. I did enjoy this video April. Between the dogs surrounding you, and you yourself crawling through the new dog door I couldn't help but laugh and smile. Thanks for a FUN video April!!! 😄

[@Grumpy718]

Great job April I love your video.. Im learning so much from just watching your videos.

[@antoniobenitez8071]

Great video “ i just got a puppy about a week ago & was told you need a doggie door & what a coincidence this popped up on my KZbin 👍

[@AprilWilkerson]

Awesome! I'm glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.

[@ΓΕΡΑΣΙΜΟΣΣΤΡΑΓΓΑΣ]

Lucky dogs, love them they are so cute , that's a lovely project.

[@rushwal]

We put in a dog door recently, and should have done it sooner. She provides much entertainment because she loves her door.

[@edrosa5079]

As Usual A Great Job April,i still need to one day get by the shop and buy some things

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! Yes, stop on by. Our Manager Jordan is always there and will be able to help you, answer any questions you may have. Thanks for watching.

[@blackdog850]

Awww! This was a super relevant, super cute video April! Especially seeing the cute small human (in house shoes) testing the door! Lol! I saw that and thought immediately...no way THIS full-size person is getting through that! Lol! Great project, well done!

[@angelesfraga4451]

I love your dogs! And all your awesome projects! You're AWESOME! Best wishes from Mexico!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes from Texas!

[@REXOB9]

Love your dogs. What a great pack.

[@dddube12]

Very nicely done April

[@gregorythomas333]

Gotta love how the cat was looking at April...hanging half way through the door...like she was out of her mind :)

[@alexb.1524]

April, i love your laugh and videos. Keep up all your good work.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! Glad you like them!

[@jetsteve6313]

Hi April. I've been subscribed and watching you for awhile now. As a handy woman type of a girl, its sure good to see a woman who does everything you do and explains it well. Your videos have helped me a lot. I hope to be as good as you and hopefully build a tiny home for myself one day. Thank you for all you do.

[@WallyCarmichael]

Great video. You're very fun on camera. Thank you.

[@skelly6155]

Thank you!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.

[@lovejones7545]

Love watching you working on your projects. You're awesome! and the doggy door is very cool.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@chriswearn4000]

Hey April, now that looked like you had some serious fun. I had just installed a doggy flap at my home for my beautiful labrador called Orla. Great video. Love those doggies.

[@AprilWilkerson]

That is awesome! Yes, this video was a lot of fun. Thanks for watching.

[@chriswearn4000]

@@AprilWilkerson when you can have a laugh while doing the jobs it feels more like a hobbie and so much more enjoyable.

[@garycollins7688]

Nice job April 👍🏻

[@louroberts5567]

Great project!! I think our dog would be terrified. hahaha! If we had a doggie door and you ever had the chance to visit us fans in CT., we'd let you in the entry door! 😄👍

[@mikecurtis2585]

Great job looks nice. The dog's will have a great time. Thanks 🙂🙏

[@abbayhvhreigns7iloveyeshua650]

Always entertaining, educational & Informative April plus your doing the demonstion the Visuals aren't bad either 😊

[@lamartya.4042]

One thought for anyone doing this. After time the flap either becomes worn, dirty, or starts to break up at the bottom. When that happened to my animal door, (yes animal door as the cats loved it too), I went to contact the manufacturer for a replacement, and they did not make that particular model anymore or did not have replacement parts. Well the only part you may need, would be the flap. My suggestion would be to order a replacement flap (or more if you aren't going anywhere soon) now if and when you need one. Otherwise a great addition, for those rainy nights when you dont want to take the dog out. It can decide how badly it needs to do its business, or wait for the rain to stop to go.

[@HuntsWorkshop]

6:53 that’s hilarious! Great video!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks!

[@nica.rivera]

Yeah, now you never have to worry about locking yourself out of your house, just remember no not slid in the lock door! Awesome project. 😆

[@DataStorm1]

unless... the lock door is there, but isn't protected from lifting it up....

[@jimspencer1077]

What a good idea I thought about that one time but I have a brand new house didn't want to do it but we have dogs too love what you did awesome video

[@artinstructor6352]

Loved your vedio ❤❤😅 even if I'm not installing a dog door ❤😊

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thank you so much!

[@billmorash3322]

I found with cats, just pushing them through without pushing the flap opened first worked well. With three cats, pushing them through twice each was enough. Of course there were treats on the other side.

[@_Merica_USA]

Another great video and project Ms April 👍🏼👍🏼

[@craiggoodwin9704]

It's a dog's world! Thanks for Sharing!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Nicely done April! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@timothymcrae77]

My family has a small zoo of dogs as well. I thought we were the only people crazy enough to put a dog door in a wall. Lol love the how to videos. We've always used the Ruff weather brand ki.d from Home depot because they have the templates. But this kind that has the cardboard center idea I love. I may have to switch if we ever move and need new doors installed.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Awesome! Yes, that cardboard center idea was great! Thanks for watching.

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Great job on the dog door April! Turned out great :) Thanks for sharing the video with us!💖👍😎JP

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! And thanks for watching!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Your very welcome April! Have a great week!😎

[@elliotsimpson3591]

I'm not sure which was better... watching the install which I've helped my sister do already, or watching April people-test her pet-door lol

[@rapunzeleh546]

shadow comment: about 15 years ago i invested in plexi-door dog door. essentially a door that rides up into a cavity based on the signal from the dog collar. it's been working pretty much flawlessly all this time. like it so much i even took it OUT of the last house and slapped some wainscotting over the hole... i tend to close it up and insulate it over the winter because it's just a plastic sheet and at -40c, that's going to cause a draft, but have to say, highly recommend it. i remember having some issue with the part that winds up and raises the door - no questions asked, they sent me a new one and even included a set of special pliers for the C ring...

[@dennishinkle5010]

Great video. I have cats and built them a cat house. Pardon the play on words. They love it so much. Thank you for your time.

[@crazyoldgooseman]

Neat ideas from how you did that! Thanks for posting

[@AprilWilkerson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JCWren]

I installed a cat door in a previous house where the cat had a tag of some kind on the collar that would unlock the door (can't remember if it was simply a magnet or RFID. Probably a magnet, this was 25 years ago). It was a dogsend for keeping racoons and squirrels out of the house. And because it was cat sized, it make it next to impossible for them to carry in any prey larger than a chipmunk (mostly because carrying the prey in their mouth put the collar too far back from the sensor for it to unlock the door). It had a little knob on the door you could rotate to lock it. I know they have dog doors now that use an RFID tag, and one of them will log your dogs coming and going, and you can selectively enable/disable the tags via your phone to prevent any single dog from entering or leaving the house (think dog with health issues that might require supervision, or on some kind of activity restriction).

[@velray1231]

Hi . I like it . Although you should really weather strip your doors if u c light it's not sealed when a/c or heat is on u are sucking exterior air in . No bueno?

[@Pascalore]

I first had a cat in a rental so used a piece of plywood as wide as a window behind the couch and mounted a cat door in the plywood. Closed the window on the ply with weather strip and didn't have to open the door again. Next house I used that same cat door in the back door. The door itself wasn't in great shape so cutting a hole was a temporary thing anyway. Eventually someone left a puppy on my front porch. By this point I had three cats. I petted him and went to work. 14 hours later I came home to a puppy still on the front porch. Keeping him in the kitchen for the next two days overnight (the temp was below freezing for about a week) I blocked off the kitchen doorway with an old interior door laid on its side and he stayed there the first night. The second night my white cat jumped the door to join him. On the third night (I finally had the next two days off) he jumped the door out of the kitchen. Btw he was a black dog. They became buds. As I had a sliding glass door in the kitchen the following day I got and installed a dog door panel for the sliding glass door. He sat and watched me install it from beginning to end. How to get him to use it? Easy. Just pushed him through and let him figure out how to get back in. Ez pz though it did take a few hours. The cats took to it right away. I finally replaced the back door with a steel one.

[@bwake]

Dogfooding taken to the next level!

[@marklengal9990]

April have you tried a walabot? I’ve been thinking about trying one out. I installed a couple of these for my cats, I have a large dog , plus we have some cold winters up here. Maybe in the future. Yours turned out great

[@kathleenbrown1395]

Awesome! Finally, I found a video that helps me. Except for one massive problem. I have a power plug on the outside wall. I'll need to hire an electrician to move it to the right. I really don't want to cut a massive hole in my siding. The doggie door (bought at petsmart. 👎 👎 👎) It is too low for our dog. You never know how tall they will be. Plus, it is an inset in my sliding door. ******* WARNING ****** NEVER buy one of these, especially if you live in cold areas. The seals are GARBAGE! I have to stuff towels in between the glass doors to keep the drafts at bay. (It looks extremely tacky!) Needless to say DOESN'T WORK! 😢 But I will do as much work myself and let the electrician do his part. Thank you so much for this tutorial. 💗

[@andresilva8444]

yes, I’m here for the dogs 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@stanleykeith6969]

How do you Stop the Raccoons 🦝or Ladies 👧named April from crawling in ? 🤣🤣🤣 Great Job April !

[@josephcopeland6172]

Delightful…great job

[@AprilWilkerson]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@bastropplant5592]

Cute shoes!!!

[@lisaseverdoodles466]

Hey April… I can't believe you installed that pet safe wall door! I have 2 of the SAME PetSafe doors to install next month for my PACK,... EXCEPT one wall is plaster/ brick exterior. The other wall is cinderblock. Besides my hammer drill, what tools/blade type will cut properly through cinderblock or brick walls?? Any suggestions would be helpful. I am fascinated with your work! Love to watch you build. Lisa

[@crewdawgc135]

Good job you did a lot of wrok

[@grhodes3536]

Nice video! Wish I was as brave as you

[@paulkoomen5262]

That's fine and dandy but at 40 below it lets in the cold and the wind and snow. And electric door opener with collars on the dog to activate it to open when they get close to the door would be better, Any ideas on where I can get one ?

[@Friedbrain11]

You was having way too much fun LOL