06/08/2026
PAWS FOR THOUGHT🐾🐾
Dog flaps, they may seem convenient and offer freedom and free access to the garden when you’re at work or busy but here are a few things to consider.
1) Firstly, it means that your dog will not learn to hold his bladder or bowels, so he won’t actually be house trained. This became apparent to me when I took care of two dogs that were used to living with a dog flap at home. When they stayed with me and had to wait 3 hours before they were let out again, they had already relieved themselves. They could not wait. This was very stressful for them, not being able to just relieve themselves when ever they needed to. It’s something to consider if they need to stay with someone other that at home. Every pup/dog needs to learn potty training!!!! This is not a substitute or a lazy replacement.
2) There is also a safety aspect here, is your dog really safe going outside the house without you? Some dangers to consider is that someone may have access to your garden? Your dog could ingest something they shouldn’t, get stung by an insect or injure themselves while you are not home.
3) Although this may work for some dogs, it may have a negative effect on others. This may not suit dogs that need boundaries and strict training. If dogs need to come to you and ask to be let out in the garden, it encourages respect and communication between the dogs and their owner. It also discourages some negative behaviours like charging into the garden to bark at every noise. This could be encouraged by boredom or may encourage unwanted behaviours like possessiveness and security . If you are out all day, this may happen.
4) A dog flap cannot be abused!!!! It can’t be used as a substitute for you.
It is not okay to leave a dog alone for hours on end while you are not there.
It is far better to arrange for a dog walker to come and walk your dogs to offer some enrichment and company to break up their day.
