5 Life Lessons Only Pet Ownership Can Teach

Pets are cute and fun. Often, people don’t think past these two things when adopting a pet. But there are many life lessons pets can teach us, and this goes for people of all ages. A few items like pet doors can make pet ownership more convenient, but caring for a pet means self-sacrifice and a willingness to give of ourselves for the sake of another. 1. Selflessness When a pet is hungry or sick or in danger, it doesn’t matter what the owner had planned—the needs of the pet come first. This teaches the valuable lesson of sacrificing...

more info

The Top Things to Consider When Buying Items for Your New Pet

Fur or feathers, fins or scales, your new pet has needs. Naturally, you’ll buy dishes to feed them, secure adequate shelter for them, and invest in tags for identification. But there are a few things to consider that not every pet owner considers when selecting these items. Here is your guide to bowls and houses, pet doors, collars, and grooming items. Know What to Look for in Food & Water Dishes The first consideration is size. Will the dishes hold enough to sustain your pet during long work or school days? Next, look for dishes that are hard to...

more info

Pet Doors: Your Buying Guide

So, you’ve decided to make an investment in comfort and convenience for you and your pet. Now, how can you select the perfect pet door for your pet and the home? Here is your buying guide. Choose the Right Location The ideal place for a pet door is somewhere convenient, yet out of the way. You can choose to put it in a people door, sliding glass door, or even a wall. Choose a spot out of direct sunlight (which can damage the plastic), and somewhere not likely to get blocked accidentally. Select the Mounting Type With your location...

more info

4 Reasons You & Your Pet Need a Pet Door

According to legend, the pet door was invented by none other than Sir Isaac Newton, who designed it so his cat could roam at will. Whether that is true or not, it was indeed a smart thinker who solved numerous problems for people and the animals they love. Here are four reasons you and your pet need a pet door soon! 1. Your Pet Won’t Have to Disturb You to Go Outside Is there anything more annoying than having to get up and let the pet out when you’re trying to catch a game on the telly or get...

more info

Some Fun Facts about Cats’ Behaviour

Cats are interesting animals with a variety of behaviours that leave most pet parents wondering what is their cat is trying to tell them, or why their cat is acting in a certain manner. Often the cat is simply doing what comes naturally. To avoid unwanted behaviours, provide the right stimulation and play environments. Attempting to Break the Sound Barrier: Cats can run at speeds as fast as 50 kph (31 mph). Cats have lots of stored energy and, when they need to burn it off, they will bolt through the house, bounce off furniture, and leap through the...

more info

Tips for Effectively Training Your Puppy

Bringing a new puppy home is exciting for the pet parent and the young pet. Your new puppy requires lots of love and attention, as well as training. Taking the time to work with your puppy and train it, now, helps to prevent behaviour problems when they get older. Reward Positive Responses: As you are training your puppy, remember to reinforce positive responses and behaviours by giving treats or belly rubs. Withhold Rewards for Negative Behaviours: Avoid reinforcing undesired results with positive reinforcement. Use a firm command, like “No” or “Bad” along with the puppy’s name. Remember your puppy...

more info

How Pets Can Help with Daily Tasks

Dogs are trained to perform daily tasks to help their human companions more often than any other animal because of their intelligence and their innate desire to please us. Here is a brief look at a few of the many things they can learn to do for us. Make Daily Life Easier for the Disabled Specially trained dogs can pick up dropped items, press buttons on elevators, and even help to pay for purchases, increasing their owner’s ability to function normally in the outside world. At home, the dog can assist with opening or closing doors and dressers. They...

more info

Different Pets for Different Personalities

Matching your pet to your personality and lifestyle will help both of you to bond and be happy. When choosing a pet, consider some of these traits. Which Cat Personality Suits You? Alphas are intelligent, energetic, and respond to gentle persuasion. If you are energetic and like to spend time interacting with your cat, this is a good match. Betas come when called, love to sit in your lap, are friendly to your guests and make good greeters. If you are easy-going, you have your match. Gammas are shy and need to ease into the relationship. They depend less...

more info

Top Cat Breeds Australians Choose as Pets

Cats are the second most popular choice of family pet in Australia, after dogs, with around thirty percent of people having at least one cat in their homes. There are several different breeds of cat to choose from when selecting a cat for a pet. Unlike dogs, cats often exhibit a strong sense of independence and are more active during the evening hours. Cats like to be able to wander freely both indoors and outdoors. Many Australian households install cat doors so they do not have to get up in the middle of the night to let “Fluffy” in...

more info

Well-Known Intelligent Dog Breeds in Australia

Dogs are a popular choice among people for pets and for work in Australia. When people look for a new dog, one characteristic they desire is intelligence. Intelligent dog breeds are in high demand. Selecting the right breed is important, depending on where you live. For instance, border collies are the number-one intelligent breed. However, they require homes with active lifestyles, or large properties, since collies are very full of energy. Many homes with collies install pet doors to give their pet the option to enter and leave the house any time they want to go outside and run...

more info

Doggie Doors Aren’t Just for Small Breeds

Many people make the mistake of thinking that doggie doors are limited to small dogs and cats only. That simply isn’t the case. We are proud to offer dog doors in a variety of sizes, including ones for larger dogs, such as retrievers and collies. We understand that you want your large dogs to be just as comfortable and free as your smaller pets, so we want to be able to accommodate all of them. Same Benefits for All No matter what size a pet happens to be, they will enjoy the same benefits of having a pet door...

more info

Quality Matters When It Comes to Pet Doors

Here at Australia Pet Doors, we value the relationship that we have with all of our customers. We appreciate your business and feel that you should be treated with honesty and respect. With that in mind, we acknowledge that you might be able to find a cheaper cat flap or dog door from another supplier. If it is simply the lowest possible price that you are looking for, we might not be the right choice. It’s Not that Simple However, we would like to suggest that shopping for a pet door simply on the lowest price you could find...

more info

Tips for Buying a Pet Door

For homeowners who have a fenced in backyard, pet doors make great additions to your home, especially for busy families and those in the workforce. If you’re shopping for the right pet door, here are some things you should keep in mind: Energy costs. Poorly designed pet doors can wreak havoc on your electric bill by increasing your cost by up to twenty percent. Better insulated pet doors are more expensive, but, in the long run, the money saved in energy costs will more than make up for the price of the door. Price wars. The price tag among...

more info

Do Cats or Dogs Make the Better Pet?

Choosing whether or not to get a dog or cat can be a very difficult decision. All pets require attention, love, grooming, and playtime, but the real question depends on how much time and money you’re willing to put into the animal. Here are some other points to consider when it’s time for you to make the choice between having a dog or cat for a companion: • Dogs: The Pros and Cons – Some of the cons associated with dogs include the amount of money required to take care of them. They are also very needy animals, and...

more info

The Best Dog Breeds for Retirees

If you’ve recently retired and are looking into buying or adopting a pet, the most important thing to consider is your energy level and lifestyle habits. Below are some small breed dogs that are popular choices among retired individuals. Pomeranians – These little dogs are quite lively, and they bring a lot of love and affection to an elderly person’s home. They love to play, and they need only a small amount of space to run. They are perfect for people who live in small apartments. Yorkshire Terriers  (or Yorkies) – Not only are these dogs adorable, but they...

more info

Good Pets for People Who Love the Outdoors

If you’re the active type who loves spending time outdoors, then it’s important to have a pet that can keep up with your busy lifestyle. Below is a list of some of the best dog breeds for active people: Dalmatians – These dogs were bred to be assistants to coach drivers in the era of horses and carriages. They would run alongside horses to clear the path for firefighting carriages, and nowadays, their speed and endurance make them perfect pets for active people, especially those who enjoy going on long-distance runs. Labrador Retrievers – These dogs are not only...

more info

3 Top Dog Training Tips

Does your dog always behave? Does he or she always use the dog door when they need to do “their business”? If your dog could use a little help in the behavior department, use these tips to help train your dog. Offer Regular Affection When dog owners are upset with their dog, they are not afraid to let them know. But what about when you are pleased with your dog? Are you letting your dog know when he or she does something well? If the answer is no, it may be time to give your dog a bit more...

more info

Good Pets for Families With Kids

If you’ve recently had kids, you may be a little hesitant about bringing a pet into the home. While you are right to be cautious, there are a variety of pets, especially dogs, that can be great with kids. In this blog we’ll mention a few dog breeds that do well with kids and which should be at the top of your list for your next pet. Boxer While you may think of a Boxer as a large dog, they are actually one of the best dogs for a family with kids. Boxers are a people-oriented dog breed and...

more info

Recipe Idea For a Quick Healthy Dog Treat

Making homemade dog treats can be a lot of fun and easier than you might think.  Creating your own dog treats allows you to control the type of ingredients that are going into your dog’s treats and also helps you to avoid unhealthy additives, which can result in your dog gaining unnecessary weight. While every dog deserves an occasional treat, you don’t want your dog to gain weight and not be able to make it through your doggie door! Check out this healthy and easy dog treat recipe that will be a huge hit with your dog! Leftover Dog...

more info

Good Pets for Couples

Many couples try their hand out at “parenting” a pet prior to deciding to bring a child into this world. In this blog, we’ll go over a few pets that are great choices for new couples. Dogs Dogs have been a man’s best friend for centuries. A dog’s devotion to his or her owner is unbelievable and can create a bond that is hard to break. When choosing a dog breed, be sure to think about how much time you will have to spend with your dog and how much land you have for your dog to explore. Larger...

more info

Is Your Pet Not Using Its Pet Door? Then Here’s Why!

While having a pet door in your home is beneficial in numerous ways, there are some animals that fear the unfamiliar and are resistant to change. When a pet refuses to use a door, there are many possibilities why. Below are a few of the most common: Your Pet Hasn’t Had the Proper Training Here are some of the best techniques for training your pet to use its new door: Start off slowly, and limit your training sessions to only ten minutes per day. Overwhelming your pet from the get-go is a sure way to make it harbor negative...

more info