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Leaving Balcony Door Open for Dog: 7 Answers (Explained)

Allowing your dog to come outside on your balcony has many benefits. These include the health and happiness of your pet and the satisfaction of watching your dog play in a natural environment. 

However, does it pose any danger to leave the balcony door open for your dog to go in and out at will? 

Keeping the door to the balcony open so your pet can roam freely or go out anytime they please may be convenient, but it also presents some potential risks. A trespasser or stray wild animal could potentially cause considerable harm if it ventures onto your balcony. 

In addition, keeping the door open for a long time could cause pests and insects to find their way into your home; this would not be ideal for your health or your pet’s wellbeing. 

Read on to learn how to ensure your pet can still enjoy their generous balcony by keeping the door open, even when you are not around to supervise them.

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Read More: How to Baby Proof Apartment Balcony (12 Ideas)

Are dogs smart enough to not jump off a balcony?

Social animals, like dogs, are usually well behaved around people. 

But it’s worth thinking about what your dog might do if he or she were left alone at home. 

Dogs are naturally curious and like to play. 

While most dogs won’t try to jump from a five-story building on their own, you can’t be sure of your pet’s reaction

Puppies are easily spooked and can be scared into doing anything by a loud noise

On the other hand, mature dogs can be self-preserving, especially if they’re unsure of the situation. 

A well-trained dog will probably follow your orders and stay put.  

Is it safe to leave the balcony door open?

Living in a large city can be pretty inconvenient. 

We often find our sleep interrupted because of the noise from traffic and just about anything else you can think of. 

But one thing that’s even more jarring than all that is being woken up by your dog’s yelping. 

Since burglary and break-and-enters are on the high-risk list for crime, you might want to reconsider leaving your balcony door open. 

It’s never a bad idea to keep an eye on the door, just in case someone tries to break in, or a wild animal makes its way into your home. 

Find Out: Reinforce Double Entry Doors: 15 Safety Ideas

Pests like rats, raccoons, bats, and moths are indeed more common than burglars, so you better think twice before sleeping with your balcony door open.

Is it illegal to leave your dog on the balcony?

Naughty dogs are reason enough to ensure your balcony door is locked tight. 

But it may also be illegal to leave your dog on the balcony. 

The Animal Welfare Act and the Animal Welfare Regulations of 1991 and 1998 state that owners cannot endanger their dogs or animals and must provide them with proper shelter and protection from the elements. 

Learn More: Is It Safe to Be on a Balcony During a Thunderstorm?

Since your dog would most likely be exposed to the sun and harsh weather without a shelter, it is a clear violation of the laws. 

Canines suffer from dehydration, sunburn, heatstroke, frostbite, and hypothermia on hot and cold days. 

How do you make a balcony dog safe?

How to Make a Balcony Safe for a Dog realestateke

A paw-friendly balcony is an answer to most of your dog’s worries. 

Although the balcony is an enclosed area, it’s still a place for dogs to play and run around. 

You can ensure your pet is safe from a balcony fall and dog-friendly by following these simple tips:

  • install railing netting

Read More: Can Balcony Guardrail Have Diagonal Balusters?

  • purchase plexiglass panels or acrylic sheets
  • invest in balcony gate
  • use a flexible pet barrier
  • consider dog-friendly furniture
  • choose non-slip pet floorings like rubber mats or dirt-free grass pads
  • move electrical cords out of reach
  • remove all throw rugs

How to stop a dog from opening the door?

Garages and laundry rooms are spaces that present dangers to your pet. 

So it’s a good idea to keep your dog in a separate part of the house when you’re not home. 

A pet gate or baby gate is a proactive solution to prevent the dog from reaching the door. 

A gate made of sturdy metal construction is needed, as these can withstand a dog’s strength. 

The gate must be tall enough to discourage your dog from jumping over the top of it. 

Also, upgrading to a lever door lock and locking it is a good idea to keep your pet from inadvertently opening the door. 

What can I put on my balcony for my dog to pee?

Indoor toilet training of a dog prevents messes. 

Discover: 13 Inspiring Indoor Balcony Ideas

If you’re thinking of letting your dog relieve on the balcony, it’s important to consider factors like rainwater runoff, smells, and pet hair. 

Behavioral rehabilitation and some DIY potty disciplining techniques or efforts can be quite effective in teaching your dog to go to the bathroom in a specific spot. 

Such a consistent location for dogs helps to stop the urge to go on the furniture, bed, carpet, and floor. 

Use a litter box, turf or sod pad, and other potty training products to mark it as the preferred pee spot. 

How to keep balcony door open for my dog

Multiple aspects of dog ownership require that dog owners be responsible. 

Making sure your dog is on a leash when outside can help ensure safety and compliance. 

However, a dog will have full privileges in the home in ways that are not possible in public. 

And that includes entering and exiting whichever parts of the house you allow. 

But if you want your dog to use the balcony for bathroom needs or to get some fresh air, you’ll need to ensure it remains open. 

As long as you take all the necessary safety precautions discussed here, some of the door-stop ideas below should help you keep your dog’s balcony door open without a fuss:

  • Purchase a modular pet door for sliding glass doors
  • Put your pet’s extra water bowl to use as a door-stop
  • Get a door stopper to hold the door open
  • Use a wood board to keep the door from closing
  • Put a water bottle at the bottom of the door, so it creates weight and keeps the door open
  • Put an old book, shoe, or a brick on the door to keep it from slamming
  • Use a stick to prop up the door
  • Keep your balcony doors from closing by inserting anything thin and long, like a mop handle, a long screwdriver, or even a plunger underneath
  • Lace a strong string or ribbon through the door handles and tie it to the wall or other object
  • Place a rug or blanket beneath the door to prevent the door from swinging in and out

References

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-9/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-3/subpart-A

https://www.nal.usda.gov/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-welfare-act

Zebedee Nambaleo
Zebedee Nambaleo

Zebedee is the founder of RealEstate Ke. He creates content by carefully examining and analyzing the real estate market, home improvement resources, and government data. His analysis is based on the principle of supplying high-quality, relevant, and in-depth information to his audience. By evaluating the current conditions and predicting future trends, he provides his audience with invaluable insights that allow them to make better decisions.