How to stop dog from scratching door

Last Updated: November 6, Fact Checked. Indigo specializes in understanding canine temperament and dispositions to allow canines to reach their full potential. He has studied various methods of training and philosophies to develop a unique, innovative, and result-driven method for canine behavior training. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

This is a tough problem. Your dog scratches at the door, and you want to go to him to tell him to stop. But then he learns that scratching at the door gets him what he wants - your attention. So what should a dog owner do? This post will help you come up with your own ideas on. If you prevent a problem from starting, the dog will never even think of doing it.

How to stop dog from scratching door

Like most new or old dog owners, you may be wondering why your dog constantly seems to want to gnaw, chew or scratch at your doors. More importantly, you likely struggle to figure out how to get him to stop from doing so! Alas, you're not alone, as this is an age-old problem that most pet parents have faced. We adore our furry companions beyond belief, we just don't love the damage they can cause to our doors, door jambs and other part of our homes. First you must understand exactly why he or she is scratching; then you can move forward with positive training to curb this behavior and prevent further damage to your home, as well as to their nails, teeth, gums and digestive systems. It's a win-win; your dog gets what he wants without having to continuously scratch for awareness and your home remains damage-free. If your dog scratches a door when he's outside, it clearly a sign he or she is trying to get your attention so they can return inside, and vice versa. As dog lovers, we know that we spend the majority of our days letting our dogs out, then letting them back in a few moments later, then letting them back out If your dog is inside and is scratching at the door, they could be scratching because:. A dog that communicates through scratching should be taught other ways to communicate that do not include them causing damage to the house. Even more, when your dog scratches, they can also cause damage themselves. They could break his or her nails or get wood splinters in their paw pads. If they scratch a door enough, they often start to gnaw on the damaged wood, which may cause damage to their intestines if swallowed. If your dog scratches when they have to go to the bathroom, teach them other methods of communication, like ringing a bell or approaching you before running toward the door.

To prevent your dog from scratching, block their access with a pet gate, or consider installing a dog door.

Is your dog scratching at the door non-stop? In this blog post, we will discuss some of the reasons why dogs scratch doors and offer tips on how to curb the behaviour. Dogs scratch at doors for a variety of reasons. Some dogs do it to demand attention from their owners. For instance, if a dog is afraid of storms, she may scratch at the door in an attempt to get away from the noise. Otherwise, you may inadvertently make the problem worse.

This behavior, often accompanied by whining or barking, can be a sign that your dog is trying to communicate something important. Understanding why your dog engages in this behavior is essential to addressing it effectively. Like humans, dogs communicate their needs and emotions in various ways, and scratching the door might just be one of them. Dogs often scratch doors because they crave attention — they may want interaction, need something, or simply wish to be near you. Any response, positive or negative, reinforces their actions.

How to stop dog from scratching door

DailyHomeSafety is an independent site. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Home Improvement. While dogs are great companions, sometimes they do things that can be annoying from a human perspective. One of those things is scratching the door. I know from experience how frustrating it is to find claw marks on a recently painted door. If your dog is scratching the door from the outside , the most likely causes are the following:.

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Reward the dog for a different behavior such as "sit" or "down" and then let the dog inside. By taking a few simple steps, you can help make your dog more comfortable and stop scratching. By Nicole Feb 8, - 11 min read. Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. There are several different types of scratch screens, like pre-cut panels that you slide onto your door knob and tape-like rolls of plastic that you cut and adhere to the door. Hepper is reader-supported. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Have you tried any of these methods? Gradually reduce the treats you give your pup so they start to associate going outside or inside as their reward for ringing the bell. So, place a large, sturdy object in front of the door that your dog has a hard time knocking over, like a small table or storage chest. Without proper stimulation, some dogs will start to act out by barking excessively or destroying furniture.

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If the scratch is deeper, you may need to sand down the area and apply a new layer of paint or stain. Answered by Dr. Cover your door with a scratch screen to absorb damage. It can take up to several weeks of consistent training to teach your dog not to scratch the door. Like most new or old dog owners, you may be wondering why your dog constantly seems to want to gnaw, chew or scratch at your doors. Featured Articles How to. Have you tried any of these methods? Our door protectors are an excellent option while you're training your dog and learning his methods of communication. They hear a noise outside and they want to investigate. To prevent them from needing to scratch and get your attention, trace the outline of a dog door at the bottom of your door. Then, close the door to secure the sheet in place.