7 Simple Steps to Make Your Dog Door Burglar-Proof Immediately

I’ll be honest with you—I used to think a dog door was just a harmless little flap for my pet. Simple convenience, right? But then I came across a burglary case where thieves didn’t even touch the front lock—they slipped straight through the dog door. That’s when it hit me: the very thing that gave my dog freedom was leaving my home wide open.

Here’s the hard truth—a break-in happens every 26 seconds in the U.S., and burglars don’t always need to smash a window. Sometimes, all it takes is an unlocked pet door big enough for a shoulder squeeze. One homeowner admitted, “Dog doors are easy to break into… you don’t even need force.” Reading that felt like a punch to the gut, because I realised most of us underestimate this weak spot.

If you’re like me, you probably installed a dog door to make life easier. But the question you should ask yourself is: easier for whom—you or the burglar?

In this guide, I’ll walk you through seven proven hacks to shut down this blind spot—tips that go beyond just buying an expensive gadget. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly how to keep your pet happy and your home secure.

Hack #1 – Install a Lockable Dog Door Cover

The first and easiest fix I’d recommend is adding a lockable cover. When I did this myself, I was surprised at how much peace of mind it gave me. Burglars look for easy targets, and a door they can’t push through is no longer one of them.

Here’s what you can do right now:

• Buy a commercial cover: Brands like Hale Pet Door sell sturdy lockable panels that slide in and out.
• DIY option: If you don’t want to spend much, cut a simple plywood cover and attach a latch—it works just as well.
• Use it smartly: Keep it locked at night or whenever you’re not home. Convenience is great, but security comes first.

This step isn’t fancy, but it’s powerful. I like to think of it as the pet door’s version of locking your front door. It’s your first line of defense, and it costs next to nothing compared to the stress of a break-in. If you’re serious about tightening every corner of your house, you’ll love these 18 proven ways to theft-proof your home that go beyond just securing pet doors.

Hack #2 – Use Electronic or Microchip-Activated Doors

If you want to step up your game, electronic or microchip-activated doors are worth it. These aren’t your typical flaps—they’re designed to only open for your pet’s chip or collar tag.

That means:

• No random animal can slip in.
• No burglar’s arm or tool can push it open.
• Automatic lock engages when your dog isn’t near.

I’ll be honest, the first time I saw one in action, I thought, “This is genius.” It’s like giving your pet a personal key to the house, while keeping strangers locked out. And it’s not just me saying this—guides like Family Handyman also recommend these as a modern security solution.

Yes, they cost more than a cover, but if you’re serious about balancing convenience and safety, this is one upgrade that pays off in peace of mind.

Hack #3 – Reduce Door Size (Burglar Can’t Squeeze Through)

One of the simplest yet most overlooked fixes is shrinking the size of the dog door. Police reports have shown that some burglars—often nicknamed “cat burglars”—can crawl through shockingly small spaces. A 9×12-inch gap is enough for a slim adult to wriggle through.

When I first read that, I thought about my own door: big enough for my labrador, but also big enough for a human shoulder. If your pet is smaller, why give intruders extra room?

What you can do:

• Swap to a smaller flap that only fits your dog’s size.
• Add an adjustable insert so you can resize the opening without replacing the whole unit.
• Recheck the frame—sometimes the outer trim is wider than necessary.

It sounds minor, but reducing the size is like narrowing the target. The smaller the hole, the less chance someone has of using it as a shortcut into your home.

Hack #4 – Motion-Sensor Lights & Cameras Near the Pet Door

Burglars hate attention. That’s why motion-sensor lights and cameras are such strong deterrents. The moment someone lingers near the pet door, they’re lit up like a spotlight on stage—and often, that’s enough to make them leave.

When I set one up by my garage entry, it was eye-opening how many times the light caught random movement I’d never noticed before. Add a camera to that, and you’re not only scaring off intruders—you’re recording proof.

Practical options you can try:

• Ring or Arlo cameras that send instant alerts to your phone.
• LED motion floodlights placed directly above the pet door.
• Smart integration with your home security app.

With just a couple of lights and a camera, your dog door changes from a silent weak spot into a visible, noisy obstacle. And don’t forget, sometimes burglars signal their targets before striking. Learn the 7 warnings that burglars might be marking your home so you can act before it’s too late.

Hack #5 – Reinforce with Bars or Grilles

If you want a physical barrier that works no matter what, reinforcing the pet door with bars or grilles is a budget-friendly hack.

I came across a YouTube DIY where a homeowner screwed a slim metal grille behind the flap—it didn’t block the pet, but it made the hole impossible for anyone else to crawl through.

Here’s how you can do it:

• Install a removable grille behind the door.
• Use metal bars or tension rods cut to fit across the opening.
• Keep spacing tight enough so only your dog can pass.

And if you want a pro solution, guides like Hale Pet Door’s barrier guide explain different reinforcement styles you can choose from.

This step isn’t glamorous, but it’s practical. Even if someone forces the flap open, the bars stop them cold—turning an easy crawl-through into wasted effort.

Hack #6 – Place the Dog Door Strategically

When I first moved into my house, I made the mistake of cutting a dog door straight into the garage-to-home entry. Seemed convenient at the time, but later I realised I had basically left a tunnel into my living room.

Location matters more than most of us think. A pet door facing the street or front yard is practically an invitation—it tells anyone passing by exactly where your home’s weak spot is.

Here’s what I recommend:

• Avoid inside-garage doors—burglars love using garages as quiet cover.
• Keep it on a side or back wall that isn’t visible from the street.
• Add shrubs or fencing so the door isn’t in plain sight.

By changing the placement, you take away the element of exposure. It’s a simple adjustment that cuts risk in half.

Hack #7 – Train Your Dog as Part of the Security System

Not every fix comes from hardware. Sometimes, your dog itself is the best alarm system.

I’ll never forget reading a Facebook post where someone’s tiny terrier barked so fiercely at an intruder that the burglar bolted.

Why this matters:

• Burglars don’t want noise—dogs create exactly that.
• Even small breeds can scare off intruders.
• Training your dog to alert or bark on command turns them into a living deterrent.

Think of it this way: technology can be bypassed, but an unpredictable dog cannot. You’re giving yourself a security system that thinks, reacts, and protects.

Bonus Tips – When to Replace vs. Secure Existing Dog Door

This is a question I see a lot, and surprisingly, most guides skip it: Should I replace my dog door entirely, or just reinforce the one I have?

Here’s a rule of thumb I use:

• Replace if your current door is oversized, flimsy, or installed in a high-risk location.
• Reinforce if the structure is solid but just needs upgrades (locks, covers, bars).
• Consider a smart model if you want long-term convenience and better control—sites like Hakuna Pets break down features worth investing in.

This step saves you money and helps you make the right call instead of blindly buying something new. Sometimes, reinforcement is enough. Other times, replacement is the smarter move.

Final Security Checklist

Before we wrap up, here’s a quick rundown you can keep handy. If you tick even half of these, your dog door stops being a weakness and becomes just another safe feature of your home:

• Add a lockable cover to block access when you’re not home.
• Upgrade to an electronic or microchip-activated door for smarter control.
• Shrink the flap size so no human can squeeze through.
• Install motion-sensor lights and a camera near the pet door.
• Reinforce with bars or grilles for a physical block.
• Place the door in a hidden or side location, not facing the street.
• Train your dog to act as a built-in alarm system.
• Decide whether to replace or reinforce your current setup.

Use this checklist as a mini action plan—you don’t have to do everything at once, but every step makes your home harder to target.

Closing Takeaway – Don’t Let Your Dog Door Invite Crime

At the end of the day, your dog door should give your pet freedom, not strangers. With a few smart hacks, you can shut down one of the most overlooked entry points burglars use. And the best part? You don’t have to sacrifice convenience to stay safe.

I’ll say it straight—every minute you delay, your dog door stays an open invitation. But the moment you act, you take that power back. Your home becomes the place burglars skip. While prevention is key, it’s also smart to prepare for the worst. If you ever face that nightmare scenario, here are the 7 critical steps to take if someone breaks into your home while you’re alone.

What do you think—have you ever worried about your pet door being a security risk? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if you’re looking for more practical home tips that actually work, check out Build Like New for guides that keep your home safe, smart, and stress-free.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional security advice. Always consult a licensed home security expert for solutions tailored to your property.