We just bought our house and we have been trying to get settled in, but our girl likes to run in and out to see what's going on. THIS has been a life saver!! We love it and most importantly, she loves it. Didn't take her long at all to figure it out.

First of all, I got a great deal on the door. It was $40 (with shipping) and was advertised as used but when I got it it appeared to be unopened with original packaging inside.
I previously had a cheaper and much smaller (15") door mounted in a living room wall. I wanted a larger door because I have a 78 lb dog who is getting up in age and was having difficulty getting through the smaller door.

INSTALLTION; Installing this door in a wall to replace the existing one was a bit of a challenge since I had to use a car jack to separate the studs so it would fit. I placed blocks top and bottom of dog door frame to keep the opening the required width. I did manage to install it with surprisingly minimal effort. I mounted both the eternal and internal frames using long wood screws into the side studs and the security seems adequate since the locking plate that cover the door is on the inside and securely attached. I didn't buy the optional wall mount kit that's advertised because I felt it was overpriced and really unnecessary since it was framed inside by the studs and blocks and the appearance is good.

APPEARANCE; The installed unit is attractive with a very nice clear flap on the inside frame.It's like having a floor level window and securely closes with the magnetic strips. The security panel that slides down over the opening through side tracks is beefy plastic and has a release latch near the top for easy unlocking and removal.

USE; I have two dogs. One is the previously mentioned 78 lb older dog and the other is a 6 yr old 22 lb dog. Both come and go through the door with only little effort. I was initially concerned that the smaller dog would have difficulty with the big flap and magnets but that didn't happen.

In conclusion I must say that I really like the door. Of course my opinion is slightly biased since I paid just a fraction of the full retail price. If one is willing to put in a small to moderate amount of effort (depending on the location of the door) to install it then they can avoid more costly professional installation. Yes, it may take more time then advertised but it's not that difficult. I gave it 4 stars only because I feel that the full advertised price is a bit excessive for what you get. I'll probably update this report after a good trial period.

UPDATE Feb.20,2012: I really like the pet door and have no complaints. The plastic flap has remained clear and in great condition along with the rest of the components that came with the door. Both dogs use it with ease. Would still highly recommend this product (Yeah, I still think the retail price is a bit excessive!)

This is the only pet door we have ever had, so I have nothing to compare it to. It could be a little better at preventing drafts, but I'm happy with it. BUT after 3 years, the close out slide broke at the top. I think we should be able to order just the slide instead of buying a whole other door. Is this possible?

I got this pet door about two week ago and installed it easily enough. I used it inside my house as a door for my pets to go in and out of my bedroom while I'm asleep or whatever while allowing the door to stay closed. Right now I have 1 big dog and 2 small cats. The pet door seems well made. The magnet strip at the bottom is pretty powerful and makes a loud click when it reattaches. It keeps the cold air out and the warm air in pretty good as far as a 1 flap pet door goes. The sliding door has a click in place plastic lock when shut all the way down too. All in all I really like the design.

I mostly bought this with my 1 year old dog in mind but I figured my 2 year old cats would be able to use this just the same. My dog didn't understand how to use the pet door when I first installed it. He just looked at me on the other side thinking it was a window or something. I tried to show him that it opens and closes. He didn't seem to like the clicking noise of the magnet reattaching to the strip when I opened and closed it. So I took some clear duct tape and taped the flap open so he could get use to walking in and out of it. After a day or two I lowered the flap further and further so he would get use to that being there. He didn't seem to mind the flap after afew more days. Once I took the tape off and the flap was all the way down using the magnets again he still didn't want to go through the pet door. So I used dog treats but still he just looked at me and whined or scratched at the door. Finally I got some packaged meat out and he didn't seem to focus on anything but getting to me so he could get some meat. He finally used the pet door with the flap all the way down and I lead him back and forth through it for about an hour. Now he uses it no problem.

I was really hoping my 2 year old cats would just figure it out and use the pet door because well they are cats and are pretty clever in general but alas they just can't seem to figure it out. I think the fact that they are so small and the magnet is so strong as well as the flap is pretty thick and heavy that they can't get past. It may just take time. One of my cats keeps trying to get past it but he gets his head stuck between the flap and pet door and keeps backing out. If one of my cats figures it out the other one should learn by watching I would guess.

I would recommend this pet door to anyone wanting a pet door for mostly big dogs and maybe big cats (think raccoon sized). Not to say small cats can't use it but mine definitely are having a hard time. Like I said I've only had it for two weeks. It might just take time.

Edit: Well it took 2 months but both of my cats figured out how to use this pet door. They use their paws and push their faces against the sides of the flap enough to slip through.

Well made. Strong magnets to hold flap in place