Critters

[Bduck]

I installed a pet door thru the wall replacing the one that was installed in a fixed position where sliding patio door would close up against it. I was glad to rid the patio portion as it closed off the entrance when stepping thru it. No matter the pet door I always had the fear of finding an unwanted critter coming into a warm well stocked food pantry comfortable home. That fear came to life over the Christmas holidays as I was awakened at about 4am seeing beady eyes glowing coming from the top of the wife's dresser. At that point I was able to make out a silhouette of something. After getting to a light switch, I found a black cat perched on the dresser. I know this cat from it always roaming the neighborhood. It belongs to a neighbor that lives across the street. Now I put myself in harm's way now that our little Yorkie named Luke (not so little at 15lbs) fixed his eyes on this intruder, all hell broke out from our dog. I got lucky picking up the cat, it remained calm while the dog alarm was ranting on. I was expecting some battle scars to appear on me. The cat's name is Wyatt as we learned from the neighbors. Wyatt came in 4 times over Christmas Holidays and again last night finding him sleeping on my lazyboy recliner. Wyatt jumped down seeing I was approaching and now he was eye level face to face with Luke. My thoughts now were "OH SH**" here we go. Got lucky again, nothing happened other than a stare down. I know Wyatt would have kicked butt on Luke, that would not have stopped Luke from going back for more. At least Wyatt is a friendly cat, my wife does not like cats so out he goes. My worst fears are either a racoon or a skunk finding the pet door.

[wiperhunter2]

I installed a pet door thru the wall replacing the one that was installed in a fixed position where sliding patio door would close up against it. I was glad to rid the patio portion as it closed off the entrance when stepping thru it. No matter the pet door I always had the fear of finding an unwanted critter coming into a warm well stocked food pantry comfortable home. That fear came to life over the Christmas holidays as I was awakened at about 4am seeing beady eyes glowing coming from the top of the wife's dresser. At that point I was able to make out a silhouette of something. After getting to a light switch, I found a black cat perched on the dresser. I know this cat from it always roaming the neighborhood. It belongs to a neighbor that lives across the street. Now I put myself in harm's way now that our little Yorkie named Luke (not so little at 15lbs) fixed his eyes on this intruder, all hell broke out from our dog. I got lucky picking up the cat, it remained calm while the dog alarm was ranting on. I was expecting some battle scars to appear on me. The cat's name is Wyatt as we learned from the neighbors. Wyatt came in 4 times over Christmas Holidays and again last night finding him sleeping on my lazyboy recliner. Wyatt jumped down seeing I was approaching and now he was eye level face to face with Luke. My thoughts now were "OH SH**" here we go. Got lucky again, nothing happened other than a stare down. I know Wyatt would have kicked butt on Luke, that would not have stopped Luke from going back for more. At least Wyatt is a friendly cat, my wife does not like cats so out he goes. My worst fears are either a racoon or a skunk finding the pet door.

Wow, that's a scary situation but I have a question, why not just put a lock on that pet door, so no animals can come in during the night or does Luke have the habit of going outdoors during the night?

[Bduck]

I have a regular block for it but Luke does go out at night

[a_bow_nut]

A guy at work had this problem with racoons getting into the garage and raiding the bag of dog food. He found a door that had a lock that only opened when the e-collar on his dog was next to the door.

[wiperhunter2]

A guy at work had this problem with racoons getting into the garage and raiding the bag of dog food. He found a door that had a lock that only opened when the e-collar on his dog was next to the door.

Wow, that's a great idea, I never knew they had such things.

[jjannie]

We've always considered installing one, we too have 5 community aka feral cats that we have had fixed to prevent having more. They would have no issue using said door to come in. Then once in they'd wreak havoc. They get along fine with our 2 dogs outside just fine, but inside.... no thank you. They do an awesome job of keeping the voles from removing our back yard, so they've earned residence in the back yard. They had removed the whole back yard one winter. We no longer have this problem.

We've heard of the collar access doggy doors but just have never tried one. Guess you could just put sliding door lock or 2 so door can work during the day, then lock it at night, but then the cat may use it as well. The collar option may be the only thing that'd work.

Best of Luck

[Bduck]

Well, it just happened again last night. Wyatt was confronted by Luke and raising havoc started up. Starting tonight I'm installing block after Luke takes care of his business. If he needs to go out during the night, he usually knows how to get my attention.

[wiperhunter2]

Guess you could always get some kitty litter for Luke to use during the night, if you could train him to use it.

[Bduck]

I’m doing a rescue of my brothers dog, a chihaha. My brother is in hospice care as of last night, the dog has no home which I will take it in. Lookout Wyatt, 2 pooches are better then 1. 

[wiperhunter2]

I’m doing a rescue of my brothers dog, a chihaha. My brother is in hospice care as of last night, the dog has no home which I will take it in. Lookout Wyatt, 2 pooches are better then 1. 

Sorry to hear about your brother Roger. Not sure if chihuahua's are good guard dogs or not but maybe it will back up Luke.    

[Bduck]

Unfortunately the dog is going through a period of shock which I’m going to provide a good safe atmosphere for her. She has been cooped up for the past few days with very limited access to any friendly caring individual. My son in Sacramento gain possession of the dog after the discussion of either a rescue or animal services. Both of my sons talked about taking in the dog. When I stepped in they both realized I would be the best choice. I am meeting with my son in Winnemucca on Thursday to take possession of the dog. I also knew I wasn’t getting the dog to help Luke to keep a cat out. That poor little dog is lost in need of a stable home.