long story short my dog again tore up the sliding glass door screen (yes we are willing and will be replacing it). our only condition is that the door he keeps getting out of be fixed before we fix the screens or it will just happen again because it will only take one time to forget to dead bolt the door he will get out panic and tear the screens up. (if you havent figured it out our dog has anxiety). screen is 10 bucks a roll and one roll covers both doors thats it. we have replaced the doors 2 times. they will not allow a dog door to be put into the 2 garage doors (the ones that are broken and where he keeps getting out) because it looks trashy.. (really/!?!?!).. so anyways my husband and i said we will not replace the screens until the broken door is fixed and my mil says she doesnt want her house looking trashy. the sliding glass door is on the back of the house. no one sees it and no one comes over. it really made me want to tell her to buy the screen herself!
she says it will be different when we are buying it... umm hello we replace the screens every time they are torn from our dog!. plus when we move (this summer) our dog will have access to the yard (out door kennel) via a dog door so our screens will not get tore up.
is it really to much to ask that they fix their own door so it will eliminate the problem we have with our dog getting out? we live with my inlaws.
my dog only acts like this when no one is home. we have crated him and he darn near tore his toe off trying to dig his way out. i cant pay another 300+ dollar vet bill.
moms who think im not paying to replace the screens i am! i never had or have an issue replacing the screen our dog tears up. what i do have an issue with is fixing a screen that will get torn again because their door knob is broken (no we did not break the door knob). the knob has been broken long before our dog started this screen tearing behavior. they also have a dog though not as large as my dog nor does their dog have anxiety (yes i give him an herbal supplement but we can not always afford it)
i am looking into the metal coverings for the screens but i have to get their approval because they might consider it trashy looking. since the screen we buy (because we cant afford the top of the line product) isnt good enough... i still dont see the diiference in the screen that was orrigionally on the doors and what we bought.
they will not allow dog doors to be put in (even if we buy them for the garage doors). we wanted to get the one that would fit in the sliding door and got shot down because it would make their expensive sliding french doors look trashy.
so i will say again my husband and i are replacing the screens with no argument there. but they should fix the door knob so our dog plus theirs can no longer get stuck outside. also fyi my husband and i dead bolt the door when we leave our dog home alone. my inlaws do not. this is how the screen got tore up this time!
cut a doggy door out of the screen door., when you move out...replace the screen one final time. Be creative.
Go to Lowes or Home Depot and find the screen that is plastic coated. Easy to find, it is twice as expensive as the other rolls of screen. I think it blocks the sun too. Anyway, I had Goldens, so big dogs, and the one would claw at the screen when he wanted back in. Ten years we had those screens with him, they are dog proof. Big dog proof!!
At least then you won't have to replace the screen anymore.
I don't know what your rental arrangement is with your in laws but if you are not paying rent you need to fix the door yourself. You already have a good thing going, ya know? You brought the dog into the arrangement and before the door was not an issue so I don't exactly see why you think they should go through the expense of buying a dog proof door.
If I am understanding correctly you actually live in your in-laws home? If that is the case you should make any repairs necessary, that your in-laws agree to, to keep your dog safe. They do not have a dog therefore it is not their responsibility to keep the dog protected, it's yours, in my opinion. I think you should fix whatever door is causing a problem and fix the screens. You MIL shouldn't have to look at torn up screens in her home, especially when they are helping you out. I assume this is a helpful situation or you wouldn't be there. Bottom line, your dog-your problem. Talk to your MIL about what you want to do to make sure your dog is safe and then make whatever repairs are necessary yourself as long and the in-laws are cool with it. This door that needs a deadbolt, would putting up a baby gate be a temporary fix? How big is the dog? Just a thought, good luck!
Why don't you put a dog door in the sliding glass door? We have one for our cats and it works great. It looks like this: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=dog+door+for+sli...
I hope that helps!
Also, check out some episodes from the Dog Whisperer. He has some great tactics for anxious dogs who tear things up when their owners are away.
I recently saw an ad for the Thunder Shirt - a deep pressure shirt for dogs to help relieve anxiety. Certainly won't fix the door or your in-laws, but might help the poor pup calm down. They recommend things like this for my son who has some anxiety/sensory issues to keep him calm and I think it's a lovely idea for a dog as well if it can help!
I think I'm confused.
You are renting your current home from your in-laws, right?
They refuse to fix a broken door because why?
Your dog has anxiety issues - and gets upset - tears things apart.
So why not install a doggie door into the sliding glass door? Our neighbors have that for their dog. Works GREAT!
As to the screens? When our dog (long time ago) tore up screens - my dad installed a decorative wire mesh on the bottom half of the screen door. You can pick them up at Lowes or Home Depot. drills into the frame of the screen door and viola! animal can't get to the screen to rip it up anymore - problem solved! This is a screen door with a doggie door included.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_140068-958-SP36L_0__?productId=30...=
this is one for a sliding glass door....
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100684096/h_d2/Pr...
Is your dog by any chance on anti-anxiety meds. That might help him a ton. My dog has anxiety and the meds really mellowed her out.
As far as the door, it is your responsibility to fix the screen when your dog rips it. Can you tape a reminder note on the door say "please use deadbolt" so the dog cant get the door open. Can you just remove the screen until you move out? Can you fix the door? I know that isnt your responsibilty, but it might help solve the issue. Either that or suck it up and just keep forking out the money until you can get out of there. Sorry you have to go through this.
we put lattice over our screens to protect them from the dogs....pathetic, hunh? :) LOL
I assume you are renting from your MIL? If so it is her home and you are to abide by her rules...unless it is written somewhere that you are allowed to do alterations. If you were renting from a stranger they would not allow you to permanently alter the property. If your dog is in a panic and needs to bolt, perhaps it is time to seek out either behavior training or go to the vet for meds. It is not her fault that the screen is getting ripped apart and if the dog has this much anxiety help it. It doesn't understand and obviously needs help.
Huh?
ETA: Just to piggyback on Debi's idea--cheaper alternative? T-shirt on the dog!
Why not put a doggie door in the other door... then just replace the door when ya'll move out?
Is she your official landlord? If so, she needs to fix the broken door and you need to fix the screens. If not, she can't really boss you around. Do you really need to keep replacing the screens? I wouldn't... or at least not until I move out. How can no screens make it look trashy? Just rip it the remaining torn part out. I know very few people who still have screens on their doors.
Does your mil live in the house also? Is your dog getting any sort of obedience training or meds for his/her anxiety? Perhaps the dog needs to be kennel trained while you are not at home.
Sorry...I am confused by the post. Can you clarify a bit? I want to help.
