Just a quick update about the drill bits in our packets for our pet door installations. We have learned that most of our dealers and many of our customers were not using the drill bits and were throwing them away. Most of the dealers have their own tools they like to use and the customers who were doing their own dog door installations also had their own tools including drill bits sets. Therefore, to conserve resources and prevent unnecessary waste, we have decided to discontinue including drill bits in our installation packets. You may still see installation instructions that say it is included until we use up our supply of installation booklets but we will be updating our instructions soon. If you would like some drill bits to have on hand, please send us an email at info@halepetdoor.com or give us a call at 719-269-7400 and we will be happy to send you a supply to have on hand for your customers or installers.
Nick Skog of Twin Cities Pet Doors, Bill Hale of Hale Pet Door, Corey Doebber of Central MN Pet Doors, Justin Dukes of Hale Pet Door, and Tim Flannigan of Rocky Mountain Dog Guard at a recent dealer training in Canon City, Colorado
Hale Pet Door is proud of our dealer network and their service to our mutual customers and we are always striving to help our dealers grow and be successful. To that end, one of the opportunities we offer is hands on training at our manufacturing facility in Canon City, Colorado. Over the years we have had many dealers come visit us to learn about our pet doors in general, to get some ideas and training for starting a new pet door installation business, and to receive hands on training in many different types of pet door installations including through doors, walls and screens, and especially, in glass installations.
This week, we were happy to host Corey Doebber from Central MN Pet Doors & Solid Results K9, Nick Skog from Twin Cities Pet Doors & Underground Fencing, and Tim Flannigan from Rocky Mountain Dog Guard. Corey and Nick have both been Hale Pet Door dealers since 2016 while Tim is researching adding pet doors to his existing underground fencing business.
While here, they worked with the owner, Bill Hale, and trainer, Justin Dukes, for hands on training with a particular focus on in glass installation since they have quite a bit of experience with other pet door installation types. The training included a tour of the manufacturing facility and information about the production of all our models. We also covered measuring and installation of through the glass pet doors and other types of installs including replacing the people door and complete glass units with the pet door installed. There were lots of questions about our products and they were grateful to have their individual questions answered as well as covering general maintenance tips for all our products.
They were also able to work with the office staff and work on some procedures and technology issues to help their businesses run better. In addition, they were able to go on site with Kevin Zimmerly of Pikes Peak Pet Doors to view an in glass installation in a real life situation at a customer’s house.
All of this will help them better serve their customers and will help them reach their goal of becoming “certified” Hale Pet Door dealers and installers. What does that mean and what could it mean for you?
All dealers enter our network at the “authorized” level by signing some paperwork and taking some informational tests. They are listed on our website as an authorized dealer and customers can reach them through the information on our Hale’s website.
Being a “certified” dealer gives you a leg up on authorized dealers. You will be listed in a different section of the dealer list for your area above all the authorized dealers with a special icon denoting your status. We also provide you with a different logo that you can use on your advertising and marketing materials indicating that you are a certified dealer. This promotion actually helps you get more calls from customers in your area above those dealers who are simply “authorized”. Additionally, if desired, we can provide an optional website, email, and phone number for your business as a certified dealer.
By inviting our dealers to visit us and learn about our systems, our products and our installation, we hope we are helping send dealers out with the tools and knowledge needed to be more successful. We are very pleased to show any of our dealers just what we are about and why we have such a high level of pride in Hale Pet Door, our products, and our customer service.
So no matter what level of dealer you are in our program, we want to help you with what your needs are. If that involves hands on training for pet door installation, consider coming to visit us in Colorado and get the personalized attention and assistance you need. (And just a side note, while the rest of the country is in a polar vortex deep freeze, it is 50 degrees here, so you can come enjoy our wonderful weather and beautiful mountain scenery while you are here.)
We thought it was a good time to remind you that the beginning of a good install job starts with the dog(s). Bill regularly reminds customer service that we always need to start with the dog. Many people start with the location instead of their pets, causing them and you frustration when the location does not allow adequate space.
Customer service recently had a call from a customer that had a Bernese Mountain dog that had been using a Tall Medium size pet door for years and now wanted to get a larger size. Yes, her dog was older and having issues and not making it through the pet door very easily anymore. But it had gone through it just fine for years. We all cringed and felt for the dog.
At the same time customer service is overjoyed when a customer calls and wants to order a more than large enough pet door for their dog, so they are comfortable going through it.
In starting with the dog, you need their width. This is the widest point on the dog, usually the shoulders. Add 1-2 inches for safety and clearance. If the dog does not like the tape measure, open a door just wide enough for the dog to go through. Again add 1-2 inches to the measurement.
Next, you will need their height. Measure the dog from the floor to their withers (top of the shoulders). If they won’t stand still for the tape measure, stand next to them and mark the height on your leg. Add 1-2 inches to this measurement also. Keep in mind if the customer has more than 1 dog, you may need to make accommodations for all with a taller pet door. This allows the pet door to be installed lower for the short guys, but the tall guys still have clearance height in the pet door.
If you have to install the pet door higher off the floor, due to a tall baseboard, etc., let the customer know that for their dog they may need a step/ramp to make it easier for their dogs to use. If the customer has never had a pet door, they probably haven’t thought about it and are grateful for the advice.
Remember, you have knowledge, experience and training that gives you a unique perspective. Use it to advise customers wisely. Remember also, you are their dog’s advocate.
For professional doggie door installation in the Scottsdale, AZ area, call Valley of the Sun Pet Doors
Valley of the Sun Pet Doors is the newest pet door installation company to become an authorized Hale Pet Door installer. Jose Garcia was an employee of Hale Pet Door for many years and recently decided to rejoin the family by opening his own pet door installation business specializing in Hale Pet Door brand dog doors including dog door installation.
Besides having many years of experience with installing pet doors, Jose has also been involved in most phases of the construction industry since the mid 1990s so he can also assist with other items related to pet door installation including moving electrical or bug lines and building ramps or stairs.
When you have your Hale Pet Door professionally installed by Jose and Valley of the Sun Pet Doors, you can be sure that Hale with its almost 30 years of experience and excellent customer service stands behind both the doggie door itself as well as the installation.
Valley of the Sun Pet Doors serves the northeast metro Phoenix area including Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek and Carefree. He can serve other areas as well if needed.
Eddie Coykendall, owner of Purrfect Pet Doors, a Hale Pet Door Preferred Dealer in Las Vegas, Nevada is celebrating 10 years in business starting in March 2012. And his customers are getting the presents.
To celebrate Eddie is offering 10, 10, 10. 10 years, 10% discount for 10 weeks. Any customer who calls and mentions this deal will receive 10% off the pet door and the installation labor for jobs scheduled from March 4 to May 12.
To learn more about Eddie, Purrfect Pet Doors, Hale Pet Door, dog and cat door installation, to answer any questions or to schedule an appointment, please give Eddie a call at 702-379-0609 or vist his website at www.purrfectpetdoors.com.
John Davison, former manager of the Hale Pet Door Denver franchise, has taken over as the new owner of Rocky Mountain Pet Doors. When the former owner moved to Florida, John jumped at the opportunity to own his own business while continuing to work in a field he loves.
He enjoys helping people and their pets have a better quality of life with more freedom and flexibility. He loves interacting with all the pets he meets. John has been tested and certified by Hale Pet Door as a “Certified” Hale Pet Door installer/dealer.
John has been in the construction industry for over 15 years and seen almost any situation that could arise during dog door installation or removal. He can provide installation services for pet doors as well as other related services including building stairs or decks and rewiring security systems.
John’s territory includes the Colorado Front Range from Fort Collins to Pueblo including the Denver metro area, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, and more. If you are interested in having a pet door installed or if you just want to learn more call John at 720-470-4417 or visit his website at http://www.rockymountainpetdoors.com
Matt Wilson has taken over ownership of Mile High Dog Doors in the Denver, Colorado area. Mile High Dog Doors is an authorized installer/dealer for Hale Pet Door and can also install other brands of pet doors as needed.
Matt serves the southern end of the Denver metro area including Aurora, Greenwood Village, Parker, Lone Tree and Castle Rock.
You can read more about Matt and the services he offers at his website, http://www.milehighdogdoors.com/ or give him a call at 720-670-0913.
The Hale Pet Door screen dog door is the easiest pet door to install. In a few simple steps you can give your customers’ pet the freedom to romp in the yard while their owners enjoy their bug free outdoor space.
Enjoy the breeze while your pets enjoy the yard
Get the Right Size Pet Door
Like all pet doors, sizing is important. It’s always better to get a larger dog door than to force a large dog to duck through a too short pet door. Short-legged dogs can also pose special problems, so make sure the dog will be able to clear the bottom of the screen door without jumping. For more details on sizing pet doors click here.
Remove the Screen Door
Take the screen door down by removing at the hinges or lifting up and out if it’s a slider. You may have to pry the wheels at the bottom up with a flat blade.
Remove the Screen where the Pet Door will be Installed
Carefully pull the screen spline with a needle nose pliers or pry it with a flat screwdriver (taking care not to damage the door or spline) to release the screen. Remove only enough spline so the screen can be removed from the screen pet door area plus a half inch.
Pull the screen out of the screen door frame.
Slide the Screen Pet Door onto the Screen Door Frame
The screen pet door should be flush against the bottom and side frames of the screen door. Make sure the pet door is adjusted properly and operates smoothly while in position.
Fasten the Screen Pet Door to the Screen Door
Drill through the sides and bottom of the inner pet door frame and screen frame with the 7/64” drill bit. Insert the #6 screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Be sure the screws will not interfere with the operation of the screen door.
Attach the Screen to the Pet Door
Lay the screen material over the pet door. Pull the screen material taut. To hold the screen fabric around the pet door, insert the screen spline with a flat headed screwdriver or screen spline roller.
Remove Excess Screen Material
Cut away any excess screen spline with a razor blade or scissors. Cut away the excess screen material with a razor blade being careful not to cut into the screen spline or the finish of the pet door.
Reinstall the Screen Door or Screen Window into its Original Position
Just install the screen door by reattaching the hinges or fitting it into the opening.
Adjust the Screen Pet Door Magnets
After reinstalling the screen door or window, adjust the magnets in the pet door upward or downward if needed. The magnets are pressure fitted and can be adjusted downward by tapping lightly with the handle of your screwdriver. They can be adjusted upward by twisting a flat headed screwdriver below the magnet between the magnet and frame. Be sure to adjust the magnets upward from the inside edge of the pet door so as not to mar the door frame finish.
Unique Components Set Hale Pet Door’s Wall Model Apart
While I, naturally, believe that Hale Pet Doors are the best pet doors on the market today, there are two parts that set our wall pet doors apart from the others: the flashing and the raincap.
Flashing under the tunnel keeps water out of the wall
It seems that flashing to keep water out of the wall would be a standard part of every pet door, but it ain’t necessarily so. Proper installation means good caulking around the exterior pet door frame and the house, but the flashing gives another layer of protection to keep water getting into the wall. Check out Step 15 of our online installation instructions for more detailed information.
The Hale Pet Door rain cap keeps water out of the dog door
While a good caulk seal at the top of the exterior pet door frame keeps rain and moisture from getting behind the exterior pet door frame, there are times when a little extra can help when the rain runs down the side of the house where the pet door is installed. The raincap comes standard with all wall pet doors. Generally, if the pet door is installed under a porch roof or other protected place, it’s usually not necessary to install the raincap. But if the dog door is on a wall under a roof and the homeowner regularly hoses down the house walls, it’s a good idea to install the raincap to keep the water out of the pet door. It’s a very simple installation on the exterior pet door frame as it hooks right on top of the frame.
These two simple pieces of bent sheet metal can make a big difference in keeping moisture out of the pet door and the wall where it’s installed.
What’s your experience with these “extras” provided with Hale Pet Door wall models?
Pet Door installations in French Doors are versatile and attractive
Install a Pet Door in a French Door
Installing a dog or cat door in a true French Door can be an attractive and versatile location for the pet entrance. Because the pet door can be installed at different levels from the floor, it can better fit the pet’s leg length which is great for short-legged as well as tall dogs.
Get the Glass Out
One of the most challenging parts of this installation is removing the removable molding from the door in order to remove the glass without breaking it or damaging the door. After cutting the seal of paint or varnish with a razor knife, the standard operating procedure was to pry the molding up with a putty knife until the molding could be removed. For more details see Step 7 of our Installation instructions
Use a Multi-Tool
There’s a new kid on the power tool block that makes quick work of this part of the job. The Multi-Tool is an oscillating tool with changeable heads for different purposes.
Once you determine that you have a true French Door with wood stops, you can use the Multi-Tool with a fine tooth blade to cut through the adhesive that holds the molding on the glass. Use window cleaner to keep the glass wet, so it doesn’t get scratched. After you’ve cut through that adhesive, you can carefully use the Multi-Tool along the frame side of the molding to break that adhesive seal as well.
There’s probably a myriad of ways to use this handy tool that is now readily available in a wide range of prices. Here’s a helpful article that compares several brands ProTool Reviews
Thanks to Eric Baldwin of Desert Star Pet Doors Desert Star Pet Doors.com for sharing this installation tip.
If you have found a new tool (or a new way to use an old tool) to help you install pet doors, please comment below with your tip.
We thought it was a good time to remind you that the beginning of a good install job starts with the dog(s). Bill regularly reminds customer service that we always need to start with the dog. Many people start with the location instead of their pets, causing them and you frustration when the location does not allow adequate space.
Hale Pet Door Dealer News 