Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on a tricky situation we're facing. My partner's grandfather has moved into the garage with his two chihuahuas, and during the heat of the Australian summer, it can reach over 40°C, making the garage quite uncomfortable. We all live in a crowded house (8 people in a 5-bedroom place), so moving him inside isn't viable. We've set up an air conditioner and insulation to help cool the garage, but now there's a new problem: he can't open the roller door to let the dogs out for toilet breaks due to limited mobility, and we can't always be around to assist him. We thought about installing a doggy door, but we're renting, so cutting a hole in the door is off the table. If we put something under the door, it'll just heat the space even more. Has anyone dealt with a similar situation and can share ideas? I'm open to all suggestions and appreciate any help! 😊
3 Answers
One option could be to buy a separate door and cut a doggy door into that instead. Places like Habitat for Humanity often have used doors available at a low cost. It’s a great way to go about it without modifying the existing structure too much!
You might want to check if any local companies offer temporary doggy doors that don't require any permanent installation. I've seen options that you can mount without cutting into the roller door. Something like that could work perfectly for your situation!
Is there an alternative access point to the garage? Since the dogs are trained to stay close, could you create a temporary solution with pee pads inside and a scheduled time for bathroom breaks? Training the dogs to use the pads while you’re out might be a good backup plan too!