Connect your Smart Pet Door to Alexa (trigger by voice, camera or other smart device)Updated 9 months ago
The Wayzn - Alexa integration gives you the option to operate your door by voice, open the door at set times, and use other devices to trigger Wayzn using a simple Alexa routine.
Due to the risks involved, your Smart Pet Door will only respond to Alexa or Alexa routines when the device location is set to "Home". Please read the following warnings before proceeding with Alexa integration.
WARNING: OPENING AND CLOSING DOORS REMOTELY CAN BE DANGEROUS.
THE SAFEST WAY TO USE WAYZN WHEN AWAY FROM HOME IS TO FIRST CHECK THE AREA WITH A CAMERA BEFORE MANUALLY OPERATING WAYZN.
AUTOMATION IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR HOMES WITH POOLS, SMALL CHILDREN, SMALL PETS, OR YARDS THAT ARE NOT SECURE. PLEASE USE CAUTION AND CONSIDER THE RISKS BEFORE CONTINUING TO IMPLEMENT ANY FORM OF AUTOMATION.
Contents:
Creating an Alexa routine to trigger the Wayzn skill
Use a voice command to trigger a custom routine
Use a smart button to trigger a custom routine
Use a camera to automatically let the dog in
Use a schedule to open your door automatically
Connecting Wayzn with Alexa
Note: These instructions are for connecting Wayzn with Alexa for the first time. If you need to connect again for any reason after connecting previously please refer to the instructions for Reconnecting Wayzn with Alexa before proceeding further.
By connecting Wayzn with Alexa you can use voice commands to operate your door, or use a camera or sensor to automatically let the dog in. Alexa commands are only recognized when your Wayzn device location is set to 'Home'.
Before you begin, be sure you already:
- Have an Amazon account.
- Have used it to enable at least one Alexa device in your home.
- Have enabled voice recognition and take other security measures within the Alexa app which are appropriate for your situation.
Note: You must be the primary user of the Smart Pet Door (not an "additional user" added with a QR code) to set up the Alexa integration, but once configured all users will be able to utilize it.
Step 1
In the Wayzn app on the home page select the tile for the Smart Pet Door you wish to connect to Alexa. Once on the device page, use the ellipsis in the upper right corner to access the menu, then select "Connected Devices".
Step 2
Select "Add Devices", then select "Alexa Voice Assistant".
Step 3
Click the "Login with Amazon" button and follow the prompts to sign in to your Amazon account. Be sure to use the Amazon account that you use for Alexa in your home.
Step 4
Click the "Continue" button to complete the first part of the connection process.
Step 5
Open the Alexa app on your phone. In the Alexa app click "More" on the bottom bar, then select "Skills & Games".
Step 6
Use the magnifying glass in the upper right to start a search on skills and type "Wayzn" then click "Search".
Step 7
When the Wayzn Automatic Sliding Door skill appears, click to select it.
Step 8
The skill page will open and you will be prompted to enable the skill for your account. To proceed, click the "ENABLE TO USE" button.
Step 9
You will be prompted to sign in to your Amazon account to link it with your Wayzn account. Enter your credentials and click "Sign-In" to continue.
Step 10
When you see the message "Wayzn Automatic Sliding Door has been successfully linked" click the "X" in the upper right corner to continue.
Step 11
Next, you will be taken to the Discover Devices page. Click the "Discover Devices" button at the bottom. You will need to wait a minute while Alexa looks around for newly enabled devices in your home.
If you aren't taken directly to the Discover Devices process, or it fails to find the device, you can also search for Wayzn devices by clicking "Devices" in the main Alexa menu and selecting "All Devices" then clicking the "+" icon, then "Add Device", then "Other" and look for "Sliding Door".
Step 12
When prompted, click "Set up Device". You have the option of adding your Smart Pet Door to a device group in Alexa, or you can skip this step. On the final page click "Done" to complete the integration process.
Once you have completed this process you can operate your Wayzn by issuing the voice commands "Alexa, open the sliding door", and "Alexa close the sliding door."
If you would like to be able to open and close the door with a single command, or use a camera, motion detector or smart button to trigger Wayzn, you can do so easily by creating an Alexa routine (see below).
Creating an Alexa routine to trigger the Wayzn skill
Once you have completed the process of Connecting Wayzn with Alexa, you can create Alexa routines if desired. Routines allow you to:
- Use a single voice command to open the door and then close it after a pause
- Use a custom voice command or phrase of your choice
- Open and close the door at specific times on specific days
- Open and close the door using a compatible camera with motion detection
- Open and close the door using a compatible motion detector, smart button or other compatible device
To create an Alexa routine to control your Smart Pet Door, follow these steps:
Step 1
In the Alexa app click "More" on the bottom bar, then select "Routines".
Step 2
Click the "+" icon in the upper right, then click the "+" icon next to "Enter routine name", give your routine a name and click "Next" in the upper right.
Step 3
Click the "+" icon next to "When this happens" to create a trigger. Configure your trigger according to the steps given in the remaining sections of this page based on the type of trigger you want to use. Then return here to continue with Step 4.
- Use a voice command to trigger a custom routine
- Use a smart button to trigger a custom routine
- Use a camera to automatically let the dog in
- Use a schedule to open your door automatically
Step 4
If you are using a camera as the trigger, you may optionally set a time window during which the routine will be active. This can be used to prevent the door from opening at night, for example. If you wish to set a schedule for your routine, click "Change" next to "Anytime," then select the days and times you want it to be active before clicking "Next" in the upper right.
Step 5
Next, click the "+" icon next to "Add action". When presented with the list of available devices, find and click on "Sliding Door".
Step 6
The Open command will be selected by default, and this is the correct first action. Click "Next" in the upper right to accept this and proceed. After you are returned to the routine configuration screen click the "+" icon next to "Add action" to add an additional action.
Step 7
If you would prefer not to add a pause between the open and close actions you can skip this step. To add a pause, click the "Wait" icon, then swipe up on the far right numbers to choose the number of seconds you want the door to remain open before closing. After making your selection, click "Next" in the upper right. After you are returned to the routine configuration screen click the "+" icon next to "Add action" to add an additional action.
Step 8
Next, add the closing action to the routine by clicking on "Open" which will change the action from "Open" to "Close." Then click "Next" in the upper right to return to the routine configuration page.
Step 9
Use the "=" icon (handle) to drag actions up or down until they appear in the correct order: Open, then Wait, then Close.
Step 10
Save your routine by clicking the "<" icon in the upper left.
Use a voice command to trigger a custom routine
You can create a voice command, such as "Alexa, dog" to trigger your custom routine that utilizes the Wayzn skill. First, follow steps 1-3 in the Creating an Alexa routine to trigger the Wayzn skill section above to create a new routine. Then, after clicking the "+" symbol, choose the "Voice" option. Proceed to type the voice command you wish to use, then click "Next" in the upper right.
To finish setting up your routine, follow steps 4-10 in the Creating an Alexa routine to trigger the Wayzn skill section above.
Use a smart button to trigger a custom routine
You can use a smart button to provide an additional way for you, or your trained pet, to open the door. Any smart button that has the ability to trigger an Alexa routine should work. The Amazon Echo Button (discontinued) or Flic 2 button are two we have tested successfully, and both work without the need for an additional smart hub.
To use an Amazon Echo Button, start by following steps 1-3 in the Creating an Alexa routine to trigger the Wayzn skill section above to create a new routine. Then, after clicking the "+" symbol, choose the "Echo Button" option. Make sure your Echo Button is nearby and press it. After the name of your button appears, click "Next" in the upper right.
To finish setting up your routine, follow steps 4-10 in the Creating an Alexa routine to trigger the Wayzn skill section above.
Use a camera to automatically let the dog in
WARNING: OPENING AND CLOSING DOORS REMOTELY CAN BE DANGEROUS.
THE SAFEST WAY TO USE WAYZN WHEN AWAY FROM HOME IS TO FIRST CHECK THE AREA WITH A CAMERA BEFORE MANUALLY OPERATING WAYZN. PLEASE USE CAUTION AND CONSIDER THE RISKS WHEN DECIDING TO USE AUTOMATION.
Once you have completed the process of Connecting Wayzn with Alexa, you can create a routine in Alexa to open and close the door. Alexa routines can be triggered by a variety of devices, including Blink and Ring cameras, as well as a variety of other cameras when connected through common smart hubs such as Samsung SmartThings. By creating a routine that uses a camera as a trigger you can let your pet back in without manual intervention.
In choosing a camera, take into consideration where you will place it. We recommend placing a camera directly above the doorway, outside the home, facing downward. By placing the camera outside you can be confident it will be able to detect motion, even at night. It is possible to place a camera inside, but some cameras rely on a passive infared (PIR) sensor to detect motion and can't detect motion through glass, while other cameras can detect motion through glass but not at night.
To connect a camera and use it as a trigger, first you must add it to Alexa and adjust the motion detection area. You can use the instructions for one of the cameras we have tested successfully as a guide:
When you have added your camera to Alexa and configured the motion ddetection area to your liking, continue with configuring your camera as a trigger below.
Blink
Step 1
Open the Blink app on your phone. In the Blink app select the camera you wish to utilize to trigger Wayzn and click the settings icon next to the camera name.
Step 2
On the Camera Settings page be sure you have motion detection enabled and set the "Retrigger Time" to your liking. We recommend at least 30 seconds to minimize erratic door opening and closing activity.
Step 3
To minimize false positives, you can reduce the field of view used for motion detection by the camera. To do so, select the "Activity Zones" icon, then click "Update Photo", and finally click on the areas of the grid you want to disable, leaving the cells directly in front of the door active.
Then click "Done" and then click "Save" to exit the Camera Settings page.
Ring
Step 1
Open the Ring app on your phone. In the Ring app select the camera you wish to utilize to trigger Wayzn and click the "Motion Settings" icon, then click on "Motion Zones".
Step 2
To minimize false positives you can reduce the field of view used for motion detection by the camera. To do so, click the "Customize Motion Zones" button, then turn zones on or off and drag the blue highlighted areas until only the area directly in front of the door is active. Then click "Done" on the Customize Motion Zones page to save your changes.
* Depending on your Ring camera you may have different Advanced Motion detection which allows you to tailor motion detection even further than shown in the above example.
Step 3
Click the blue "Continue" button on the Motion Zones page which will take you to the page below to adjust the sensitivity of your camera. Set the sensitivity that will detect your pet most accurately then click "SAVE" to exit the Motions Zones page.
Configuring your camera as a trigger
After adding your camera to Alexa and adjusting the motion detection area to your liking, follow steps 1-3 in the Creating an Alexa routine to trigger the Wayzn skill section above to create a new routine. Then, after clicking the "+" icon, select "Smart Home" and select the camera you intend to use.
Next, you will be prompted to choose the activity that will be the trigger. Select the button next to "Detected," then select "Next" in the upper right.
To finish setting up your routine, follow steps 4-10 in the Creating an Alexa routine to trigger the Wayzn skill section above.
NOTE: Be sure your camera's motion detection feature is "enabled" or "armed".
Use a schedule to open your door automatically
WARNING: OPENING AND CLOSING DOORS REMOTELY CAN BE DANGEROUS.
THE SAFEST WAY TO USE WAYZN WHEN AWAY FROM HOME IS TO FIRST CHECK THE AREA WITH A CAMERA BEFORE MANUALLY OPERATING WAYZN. PLEASE USE CAUTION AND CONSIDER THE RISKS WHEN DECIDING TO USE AUTOMATION.
To set up a scheduled time for your door to open and close automatically, begin by following steps 1-3 in the Creating an Alexa routine to trigger the Wayzn skill section above to create a new routine. Then, after clicking the "+" icon, choose the "Schedule" option. Proceed to select the days and times you want the routine to run, then click "Next".
To finish setting up your routine, follow steps 5-10 in the Creating an Alexa routine to trigger the Wayzn skill section above.
Reconnecting Wayzn with Alexa
If you need to reconnect Wayzn to Alexa for any reason after you've already initially connected, you must take the following steps to completely clear any trace of the initial integration before you can reconnect successfully.
Step 1
In the Wayzn app on the home page select the tile for the Wayzn device you wish to disconnect from Alexa. Once on the device page, use the ellipsis in the upper right corner to access the menu, then select "Connected Devices".
Step 2
Locate the Alexa connected device and click the "Remove" button.
Step 3
In the Alexa app in the bottom menu click "Devices".
Then, swipe left on the icons near the top of the page to reveal the "All Devices" icon and select it.
Step 4
Locate any devices named "Sliding door", or any other device with the smart home icon that may be Wayzn Smart Pet Door devices you have renamed. For each Wayzn device you find, click the device name, then click the gear icon and when it transforms into a trash can click the trash can icon to delete the device. 
Repeat Step 4 until all Wayzn devices are removed from the Alexa app before continuing to Step 5.
Step 5
Return to the home page and click "More" in the bottom menu. When the menu appears click "Skills & Games".
Then click the magnifying glass and type "wayzn" and click the "Search" button.
When the search results appear, click the Wayzn Automatic Sliding Door skill, then click the "Disable Skill" button.
After successfully completing these steps 1-5 you may follow the normal Connecting Wayzn with Alexa instructions to reconnect your Wayzn device to Alexa.
Now that you have set up your Smart Pet Door, please follow these suggestions to train your pets to use it safely.