Dog at the back door notification's?

SmartApps & Automations
1

Now that the colder months are coming in, our back door is closed which cannot be seen from the living room. Our dog likes to wonder around outside but then when he wants to come in will just stand and stare at the back door!
I’m wondering, has anyone come up with any good ideas for some sort of simply notifications that he has come back.
I’m thinking having a button near the back door toggling the automation so we press it when he goes out, then something lets me know that he’s back at the door and we simply toggle it off again meaning we don’t get notified if I just walk out of the back door etc. I door have an old Ring Door bell, I wonder if I could use that actually… anyone else have any good ideas?

2

I would use a virtual switch in conjunction with the motion sensor on the Ring door bell. Turn on the virtual switch (let’s call it Dog Out) when you let the dog out and then have a Routine that says:

If Dog Out switch is on (precondition)
   Motion detected
Then 
Send Notification "Dog wants in"

Turn the virtual switch off when you let the dog back in.

While you could probably use a physical button instead of a virtual switch, buttons don’t have a state so you would likely still need something to track the “dog out” state. That being said, you could use a physical button to trigger the state change of the “Dog Out” virtual switch in conjunction with the ST Routine I mentioned above. @JDRoberts might have some additional ideas since I know he has a service dog.

3 Likes
3

Thank you, this is what I’m thinking as well. I have a physical button to turn the virtual lock locked and unlocked, so then when the door bells sees motion it will notify me only when locked (Dog out) and not just when I go out etc.
Really enjoying the automations again :slight_smile:

4

Yes, virtual switch, virtual lock, virtual presence sensor, etc will do the job. Just need something with a binary state to represent “dog in” or “dog out”.

5

I’ve a multi sensor on the sliding door. The vibration sensor is very sensitive and picks up the dog scraping on the door. Triggers a notification on Sonos speaker

6

That would work if the little sod even did that… He does nothing lol but looks at the door!

1 Like
7

Sounds like a fun opportunity to practice something new with your dog. First step: Button for treat - nose boop or paw tap. Expand from there.