Gun Dog Big Dog Door
- Large dog door: Ideal for dogs up to 200 pounds, featuring a 15" x 23" chew-proof acrylic flap
- Sturdy construction: Aluminum frame ensures durability, even for high-energy pets
- Clear flap design: The 1/4" thick clear acrylic flap allows your dog to easily see through it, increasing their comfort
- Versatile installation: Compatible with kennels, doors, and walls (with proper framing)
- Peace of mind: Backed by a limited lifetime warranty, ensuring a lasting investment
Product Details
The Gun Dog Big Dog Door is a heavy-duty pet door designed specifically for large dogs up to 200 pounds. The 15" x 23" chew-proof acrylic flap is backed by a sturdy aluminum frame, providing unmatched durability and longevity for even the most energetic and active pets.
The clear, 1/4" thick acrylic flap allows your dog to easily see through it, increasing their comfort and encouraging use. This feature is especially important for larger breeds, who may be more hesitant to use a traditional opaque doggy door.
Built to withstand rough play and harsh weather conditions, the Gun Dog Big Dog Door is perfect for homes in severe, four-season climates. The aluminum frame adds an extra layer of support and resilience, ensuring that your investment will stand the test of time.
Designed to be installed in kennels, doors, and walls with proper framing, the Gun Dog Big Dog Door gives your pet the freedom to come and go as they please. For added security and control, consider purchasing the optional closing cover, which mounts on the opposite side of the door or wall from the pet door.
With its heavy-duty construction, clear flap design, and versatile installation options, the Gun Dog Big Dog Door is the perfect solution for large breeds and high-energy pets. Experience peace of mind with the limited lifetime warranty, knowing that your dog door is built to last.
Features:
- Heavy-duty construction: Designed to withstand rough play and harsh weather conditions
- See-through flap: Clear, 1/4" thick acrylic flap encourages dogs to use the door
- Aluminum frame: Offers additional support, ensuring long-lasting durability
- Four-season climate suitability: Built to endure even the harshest climates
- Optional closing cover: Purchase separately for added security and control
- Metal dog doors are sturdy and secure and withstand dogs running through at high speed.
- ¼" thick acrylic flap is chew proof.
- Flap size is 15" wide x 23" high to accommodate very large dog. Make sure to measure your pet to ensure that the gun dog door will work for your dog.
- Installs in kennels, doors, and walls with the proper framing material.
- Purchase includes the flap and frame. Any materials needed for your particular installation must be purchased separately.
- A closing cover can be purchased separately if desired. It mounts on the opposite side of the door or wall from the pet door. A sturdy, 1/4" thick polypropylene panel slides down aluminum channels over an 18" width x 28" height opening. If you would like this closing cover to be lockable, drill a 1/2" hole through the cover and wall on the inside and insert a short dowel.
Size Chart
- Large15"w x 23"h
Flap Dimensions:
15"w x 23"h
The entry way your dog goes through.
Rough Cut Out:
16 1/2"w x 25 1/2"h
The size of the hole needed to fit your pet door into your door.| Flap Size | Flap Dimension | Rough Cut Out | Recommended Pet Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large | 15" w x 23" h | 16 1/2" w x 25 1/2" h | 21" - 34" |
| Closing Covers for this dog door: Gun Dog Closing Covers. | |||
Installation Instructions
Gun Dog House Door ® / Heavy Duty Dog Door ® / Big Dog Door™
Pet Door Installation Instructions
Installing on a House or Garage door
Drop-in Closing Panel Installation Instructions
Guillotine Closure Installation Instructions
"Special" Dog Door Training for the “Timid Dog”
Installing On a Wall:
The Heavy Duty Dog Door ® and Big Dog Door™ are installed on the outside surface of a building, wall or door, etc.
| |
|
Step #1:
Measure the belly height of your pet from ground level to his underside to find the correct height of the door opening. Bottom edge is usually from 6" to 12". Do not mount flush to ground.
For the Heavy Duty Dog Door ™ cut the opening 12-1/2" wide x 17-1/2" high. For the Big Dog Door ™ cut the opening 16-1/2" wide x 25-1/2" high.
|
|
Step #2:
If mounted on garage or house wall, frame the depth of the wall to form a tunnel through the wall. (Use 2" X 4" or 2" X 6" material.) If needed, add a least a 1/2" x 1 1/2" flat outside mounting surfacing.
|
|
Step #3:
Place door over opening and use the enclosed two 1 1/2” wood screws to hold door to opening.
|
Step #4:
Show dog how to use door. Your dog will learn to use your pet door almost at once, but there are a few which may be a little nervous at first.
The most important rule is to be patient.
Do not let the dog have a bad experience or it may become frightened.
Most dogs can be trained to use a pet door in a matter of hours. Your dog will respond to encouragement, repetition and play in particular.
Alternatively, use the door flap as part of a game - throw a ball through, for instance. As your dog responds to your encouraging calls, help it through the door, patting and congratulating it. Repeat the game several times, continually encouraging the animal with positive gestures and comments. Within a short time your dog will be totally familiar with its pet door and use it happily on its own.
Problems…see Special Dog Training Instructions at end of page
| |
|
Installation Tips: Install 1/8" felt or rubber weather stripping on surface of building or door. Do not put rubber weather stripping on Gun Dog House Door®.
NOTE: If your door does not close at the bottom, the door is installed incorrectly. Unscrew door and move 1/4" lower. If there is a gap between top strap and upper doorframe, move door 1/4" higher.
|
Installing on a house or garage door:
| |
Measure height.
|
Step #1:
The Heavy Duty Dog Door® and Big Dog Door™ are installed on the outside of a house door.
Determine Height
|
|
The Heavy Duty Dog Door hole size is 12-1/2" x 17-1/2". For the Big Dog Door the hole size is 16-1/2" x 25-1/2".
Drill a half inch hole into each corner. Then draw lines to connect the corners. Insert jigsaw into drill hole and follow drawn lines to cut out hole.
|
|
Step #2:
If installing on a steel door, cut hole 3/4" larger, glue 3/8" pine, cedar, or plywood strips to inside of the opening
If installing on a raised panel door, cut hole in center of door 3/4"/ Glue 3/8" pine, cedar, or plywood strips to inside of the opening to cover styrofoam and install trim to inside/outside of door surface.
|
|
If installing in a hollow core door. use four strips of wood the same width as the hollow between the panels in your door. Position the wood so that they are flush with the edges of the hole. Either glue, nail, or screw the strips. Frame the outside/inside hole with 2" x 1/4" lengths.
|
|
Step #3:
Use silicone caulking around trim kit for added insulation. To quiet door closing, staple 5/8" of the window felt to the sides and the bottom of the pet door.
|
Drop-in Closing Panel Installation Instructions:
| |
|
Step #1: Closing panel is installed on the inside of building or door.
Step #2: Construct a 2" wide frame on inside mounting surface.
Step #3: Place channel angle one inch from dog door cut opening.
Step #4: Install one-inch tabs at the base of each channel.
Step #5: Slide heavy-duty closure into channel. Remove as needed.
|
Guillotine Closure Installation Instructions:
| |
|
Step #1:
Place panel against wall as a template. Install each channel so the panel slides in its grooved track.
Step #2:
Drill hole or install a eye hook in panel. Install two pulleys to ceiling and attach a cable/rope to the 3/8" polypropylene panel.
Step #3:
Slide polypropylene panel in channels as needed.
|
"Special" Dog Door Training for the "Timid Dog":
| |
|
Whether you have an adult dog, or a new puppy, teaching him how to use a Gun Dog House Door® (GDHD) will be done the same way.
When you install your dog door, make sure you measure the "rise" of your dog (the measurement from the floor to the lowest part of your dog's chest or stomach). This measurement tells you where to place the "bottom" of your dog door. The bottom of your dog door should be an inch lower than the "rise" of your dog. If you have a puppy you will need to install the dog door one inch from the ground; and you will need to re-install it at higher intervals as your puppy grows. Another option is to take an educated guess as to how tall your dog will eventually be, install the dog door at the appropriate height, and construct a "puppy-ramp" so your puppy can reach the dog door and go through it comfortably.
|
Once the frame of the GDHD door is installed in a wall or door, leave the GDHD off at first. Have someone stay inside with your dog while you go outside. Call your dog through the "hole" (door frame without the GDHD). When he goes through and comes to you, praise him lavishly and give him a treat. Now have the person inside the house call him through the "hole." When he gets to them, they should praise it and offer a treat as well. Do this at least 3 times and no more than a dozen. After this, your dog will know there is a hole in the wall or the door especially for him.
| |
|
Leave the GDHD off the cut opening for one full day. Encourage him to use his opening by not letting him use the "real" doors. Instead, you use the real door and say to your dog, "Go to your door!" pointing in the direction of his dog door. You may need the help of someone inside to "help" the dog find his new door. After a half a dozen times, your dog should like this new game! If you have a very young puppy, do not expect them to learn "Go to your door" for many weeks or months; still give them the command in a happy voice, and have someone inside show them where their door is every time. It sometimes helps if you are outside (after going through a real door) and someone else helps your dog or puppy find the doggie door as you call him from outside.
On the second day, install the GDHD. Now, you will need to repeat the same exercise as when you first sent your dog through the "hole." But this time, the person on the same side of the door as the dog will need to "push" the GDHD open for him. Each time the dog goes through the door, push the GDHD less and less for him. It is important that the dog gets used to the feel of the GDHD on the back of his head so once your dog has begun going through the door, let go of the GDHD so he feels it on his head and body as he goes through the door. Eventually the dog will need to push the GDHD by himself and dogs are usually hesitant to do this at first. He will probably put his nose down by the bottom of the GDHD and wait for the GDHD to move (after all, it has up to now). At this point, push the GDHD slightly so that your dog can see it is a moveable object, let the GDHD bounce back to the closed position. The best way I can explain it is that you are "poking" GDHD using short, quick pokes. This gives the dog a glimpse of an opening and encourages him to poke the door himself. At this stage, some dogs begin going through the door with ease, others become quite excited, but still haven't figured out that they can push the door open. If your dog will not push the door open by himself yet, remove the GDHD and install a piece of carpet onto the opening. You want the carpet to have a least a _” opening on the sides and bottom. The dog should feel more comfortable pushing the carpet on its own. After 2-3 days, install the GDHD and with our enthusiastic encouragement and praise, your dog should be able to push the GDHD now with no problem
|
Videos
Gun Dog "Heavy Duty" Dog Door
FAQ
Q: What are the differences between the Gun Dog doors?
A: The Gun Dog Easy Dog Door is lighter than the others because the hinges aren't spring loaded and there are no magnets to assist with closure; this makes it easier for smaller dogs and maybe cats to use the door.
The Gun Dog Heavy Duty dog door has a rigid door that includes a warranty covering chewing damages. This is the original door that was created by Gun Dog to address all the issues the owner of the company ran into while operating his kennel for large lab retriever dogs.The Gun Dog Big Dog Door is the same as the heavy duty door, but it just offers a larger flap size of 15" x 23".
Gun Dog Easy Dog Door Gun Dog Heavy Duty Gun Dog Big Dog Door |
Q: Do the Gun Dog doors come with locking covers?A: No, the Gun Dog Doors do not come with locking covers. However, you can purchase a closing cover and you can lock this cover by drilling a 1/'2" hole through the cover and wall on the inside and inserting a short dowel. Or you can purchase one of the guillotine doors and mount that on the side opposite the door as a closing cover. |
Q: Can I use the Gun Dog doors for just a regular house installation?A: Yes, a Gun Dog door may be installed in a home, however, kennel dog doors, like Gun Dog, are usually rigid because the flaps must be durable enough to withstand constant wear and tear. This durability has not been seen in flaps made out of vinyl, but it does make them very noisy so installation in a home might not be advisable. |
Where can I purchase replacement flaps?Unfortunately, we do not sell replacement flaps for Gun Dogs. If you need a replacement, part you will need to order directly from the manufacturer. Be sure to also check out our full selection of dog supplies and related products. |
Is there a double flap model available?Many pet owners like dual flap pet doors since they are more energy-efficient. The Gun Dog pet door does not have a double flap design, but the Ruff Weather pet door and the Petsafe Extreme Weather pet door does. |
Warranty
Gun Dog House Door® Co.
The Heavy Duty Dog Door®, Big Dog Door™, Easy Dog Door™ is covered by a limited lifetime warranty. We warrant this product to be free of defects in materials or workmanship for the life of your dog. Damage caused by accident, improper installation or abuse is specifically excluded from this warranty. Gun Dog House Door® Co. is not responsible for any incidental or consequential damage resulting from use of this product. Normal wear and tear excludes the hinges from warranty. Customers are responsible for all shipping costs.
Partial returns and/or damages will not receive full credit. Items damaged through USE or due to return shipping damage will receive partial or no credit. Should you decide that you wish to refuse receipt of an item when delivered by UPS, USPS, FedEx or common carrier and legitimately ordered the product, credit will be issued minus any shipping custom fees and charges.
Customer Reviews
Size Chart
- Large15"w x 23"h
Flap Dimensions:
15"w x 23"h
The entry way your dog goes through. Rough Cut Out:
16 1/2"w x 25 1/2"h
The size of the hole needed to fit your pet door into your door.| Flap Size | Flap Dimension | Rough Cut Out | Recommended Pet Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large | 15" w x 23" h | 16 1/2" w x 25 1/2" h | 21" - 34" |
| Closing Covers for this dog door: Gun Dog Closing Covers. | |||
Gun Dog House Door ® / Heavy Duty Dog Door ® / Big Dog Door™
Pet Door Installation Instructions
Installing on a House or Garage door
Drop-in Closing Panel Installation Instructions
Guillotine Closure Installation Instructions
"Special" Dog Door Training for the “Timid Dog”
Installing On a Wall:
The Heavy Duty Dog Door ® and Big Dog Door™ are installed on the outside surface of a building, wall or door, etc.
| |
|
Step #1:
Measure the belly height of your pet from ground level to his underside to find the correct height of the door opening. Bottom edge is usually from 6" to 12". Do not mount flush to ground.
For the Heavy Duty Dog Door ™ cut the opening 12-1/2" wide x 17-1/2" high. For the Big Dog Door ™ cut the opening 16-1/2" wide x 25-1/2" high.
|
|
Step #2:
If mounted on garage or house wall, frame the depth of the wall to form a tunnel through the wall. (Use 2" X 4" or 2" X 6" material.) If needed, add a least a 1/2" x 1 1/2" flat outside mounting surfacing.
|
|
Step #3:
Place door over opening and use the enclosed two 1 1/2” wood screws to hold door to opening.
|
Step #4:
Show dog how to use door. Your dog will learn to use your pet door almost at once, but there are a few which may be a little nervous at first.
The most important rule is to be patient.
Do not let the dog have a bad experience or it may become frightened.
Most dogs can be trained to use a pet door in a matter of hours. Your dog will respond to encouragement, repetition and play in particular.
Alternatively, use the door flap as part of a game - throw a ball through, for instance. As your dog responds to your encouraging calls, help it through the door, patting and congratulating it. Repeat the game several times, continually encouraging the animal with positive gestures and comments. Within a short time your dog will be totally familiar with its pet door and use it happily on its own.
Problems…see Special Dog Training Instructions at end of page
| |
|
Installation Tips: Install 1/8" felt or rubber weather stripping on surface of building or door. Do not put rubber weather stripping on Gun Dog House Door®.
NOTE: If your door does not close at the bottom, the door is installed incorrectly. Unscrew door and move 1/4" lower. If there is a gap between top strap and upper doorframe, move door 1/4" higher.
|
Installing on a house or garage door:
| |
Measure height.
|
Step #1:
The Heavy Duty Dog Door® and Big Dog Door™ are installed on the outside of a house door.
Determine Height
|
|
The Heavy Duty Dog Door hole size is 12-1/2" x 17-1/2". For the Big Dog Door the hole size is 16-1/2" x 25-1/2".
Drill a half inch hole into each corner. Then draw lines to connect the corners. Insert jigsaw into drill hole and follow drawn lines to cut out hole.
|
|
Step #2:
If installing on a steel door, cut hole 3/4" larger, glue 3/8" pine, cedar, or plywood strips to inside of the opening
If installing on a raised panel door, cut hole in center of door 3/4"/ Glue 3/8" pine, cedar, or plywood strips to inside of the opening to cover styrofoam and install trim to inside/outside of door surface.
|
|
If installing in a hollow core door. use four strips of wood the same width as the hollow between the panels in your door. Position the wood so that they are flush with the edges of the hole. Either glue, nail, or screw the strips. Frame the outside/inside hole with 2" x 1/4" lengths.
|
|
Step #3:
Use silicone caulking around trim kit for added insulation. To quiet door closing, staple 5/8" of the window felt to the sides and the bottom of the pet door.
|
Drop-in Closing Panel Installation Instructions:
| |
|
Step #1: Closing panel is installed on the inside of building or door.
Step #2: Construct a 2" wide frame on inside mounting surface.
Step #3: Place channel angle one inch from dog door cut opening.
Step #4: Install one-inch tabs at the base of each channel.
Step #5: Slide heavy-duty closure into channel. Remove as needed.
|
Guillotine Closure Installation Instructions:
| |
|
Step #1:
Place panel against wall as a template. Install each channel so the panel slides in its grooved track.
Step #2:
Drill hole or install a eye hook in panel. Install two pulleys to ceiling and attach a cable/rope to the 3/8" polypropylene panel.
Step #3:
Slide polypropylene panel in channels as needed.
|
"Special" Dog Door Training for the "Timid Dog":
| |
|
Whether you have an adult dog, or a new puppy, teaching him how to use a Gun Dog House Door® (GDHD) will be done the same way.
When you install your dog door, make sure you measure the "rise" of your dog (the measurement from the floor to the lowest part of your dog's chest or stomach). This measurement tells you where to place the "bottom" of your dog door. The bottom of your dog door should be an inch lower than the "rise" of your dog. If you have a puppy you will need to install the dog door one inch from the ground; and you will need to re-install it at higher intervals as your puppy grows. Another option is to take an educated guess as to how tall your dog will eventually be, install the dog door at the appropriate height, and construct a "puppy-ramp" so your puppy can reach the dog door and go through it comfortably.
|
Once the frame of the GDHD door is installed in a wall or door, leave the GDHD off at first. Have someone stay inside with your dog while you go outside. Call your dog through the "hole" (door frame without the GDHD). When he goes through and comes to you, praise him lavishly and give him a treat. Now have the person inside the house call him through the "hole." When he gets to them, they should praise it and offer a treat as well. Do this at least 3 times and no more than a dozen. After this, your dog will know there is a hole in the wall or the door especially for him.
| |
|
Leave the GDHD off the cut opening for one full day. Encourage him to use his opening by not letting him use the "real" doors. Instead, you use the real door and say to your dog, "Go to your door!" pointing in the direction of his dog door. You may need the help of someone inside to "help" the dog find his new door. After a half a dozen times, your dog should like this new game! If you have a very young puppy, do not expect them to learn "Go to your door" for many weeks or months; still give them the command in a happy voice, and have someone inside show them where their door is every time. It sometimes helps if you are outside (after going through a real door) and someone else helps your dog or puppy find the doggie door as you call him from outside.
On the second day, install the GDHD. Now, you will need to repeat the same exercise as when you first sent your dog through the "hole." But this time, the person on the same side of the door as the dog will need to "push" the GDHD open for him. Each time the dog goes through the door, push the GDHD less and less for him. It is important that the dog gets used to the feel of the GDHD on the back of his head so once your dog has begun going through the door, let go of the GDHD so he feels it on his head and body as he goes through the door. Eventually the dog will need to push the GDHD by himself and dogs are usually hesitant to do this at first. He will probably put his nose down by the bottom of the GDHD and wait for the GDHD to move (after all, it has up to now). At this point, push the GDHD slightly so that your dog can see it is a moveable object, let the GDHD bounce back to the closed position. The best way I can explain it is that you are "poking" GDHD using short, quick pokes. This gives the dog a glimpse of an opening and encourages him to poke the door himself. At this stage, some dogs begin going through the door with ease, others become quite excited, but still haven't figured out that they can push the door open. If your dog will not push the door open by himself yet, remove the GDHD and install a piece of carpet onto the opening. You want the carpet to have a least a _” opening on the sides and bottom. The dog should feel more comfortable pushing the carpet on its own. After 2-3 days, install the GDHD and with our enthusiastic encouragement and praise, your dog should be able to push the GDHD now with no problem
|
Videos
Gun Dog "Heavy Duty" Dog Door
FAQ
Q: What are the differences between the Gun Dog doors?
A: The Gun Dog Easy Dog Door is lighter than the others because the hinges aren't spring loaded and there are no magnets to assist with closure; this makes it easier for smaller dogs and maybe cats to use the door.
The Gun Dog Heavy Duty dog door has a rigid door that includes a warranty covering chewing damages. This is the original door that was created by Gun Dog to address all the issues the owner of the company ran into while operating his kennel for large lab retriever dogs.The Gun Dog Big Dog Door is the same as the heavy duty door, but it just offers a larger flap size of 15" x 23".
Gun Dog Easy Dog Door Gun Dog Heavy Duty Gun Dog Big Dog Door |
Q: Do the Gun Dog doors come with locking covers?A: No, the Gun Dog Doors do not come with locking covers. However, you can purchase a closing cover and you can lock this cover by drilling a 1/'2" hole through the cover and wall on the inside and inserting a short dowel. Or you can purchase one of the guillotine doors and mount that on the side opposite the door as a closing cover. |
Q: Can I use the Gun Dog doors for just a regular house installation?A: Yes, a Gun Dog door may be installed in a home, however, kennel dog doors, like Gun Dog, are usually rigid because the flaps must be durable enough to withstand constant wear and tear. This durability has not been seen in flaps made out of vinyl, but it does make them very noisy so installation in a home might not be advisable. |
Where can I purchase replacement flaps?Unfortunately, we do not sell replacement flaps for Gun Dogs. If you need a replacement, part you will need to order directly from the manufacturer. Be sure to also check out our full selection of dog supplies and related products. |
Is there a double flap model available?Many pet owners like dual flap pet doors since they are more energy-efficient. The Gun Dog pet door does not have a double flap design, but the Ruff Weather pet door and the Petsafe Extreme Weather pet door does. |
Warranty
Gun Dog House Door® Co.
The Heavy Duty Dog Door®, Big Dog Door™, Easy Dog Door™ is covered by a limited lifetime warranty. We warrant this product to be free of defects in materials or workmanship for the life of your dog. Damage caused by accident, improper installation or abuse is specifically excluded from this warranty. Gun Dog House Door® Co. is not responsible for any incidental or consequential damage resulting from use of this product. Normal wear and tear excludes the hinges from warranty. Customers are responsible for all shipping costs.
Partial returns and/or damages will not receive full credit. Items damaged through USE or due to return shipping damage will receive partial or no credit. Should you decide that you wish to refuse receipt of an item when delivered by UPS, USPS, FedEx or common carrier and legitimately ordered the product, credit will be issued minus any shipping custom fees and charges.
