I had a cat door installed about 6 months ago so my furry guys would be
able to go in and out from the house to their enclosure whenever they
wanted while I was at work.

Orly and Tyler had had a cat door at their previous home, so they took
to it like old pros.

Arthur and Vi needed some coaxing, but they eventually figured out how
to use it too.

Stirling just couldn't handle the nasty flapping door though. I tried
removing the flapping part altogether for a while and he'd happily use
the opening while there was no door attached, but when the weather got
colder and I replaced the flap, no go. If I held the flap open for him,
he could eventually be persuaded to climb through if dinner was on the
other side, but if any part of the flap touched him, he'd reverse out,
run and hide. I figure that if he hasn't learned to use the cat door
after 6 months, he's probably never going to; he'll need to go in and
out the big door at the same time I do. He never was mechanically
minded; his good looks and lovely personality made up for brains.

So imagine my surprise this afternoon when I hear something rattling and
shaking. I peek around the kitchen door and there's Stirling all twisted
sideways but half way through the cat flap, all under his own steam. No
toher cats in sight. I backed off but cheered him on. He made it all the
way through with no help!

I'm so proud of him. They can always surprise you.