Just last week, we had a client ask for the 'magic trick' to keeping her dog from scratching on the door to come inside, after being out in the yard. Here are some solutions, applying our E.M.T.C.P.R method to the problem! Show
E - Eliminate the Cause - The cause is that there is a door in the way of your dog coming inside when s/he wants to. So, eliminate the door! Install a doggie door, so your pet can come and go. If that idea doesn't excite you, here's another compromise solution: let your dog scratch at the door! Many companies manufacture door savers, which are screens or clear materials that you put over your door. Your dog can scratch away, but the door is protected. M - Manage the environment- This solution would entail either always being 'at the ready' when your dog wants to come inside, or making it so that your dog cannot get close to the door. If you open the door first, because you readily anticipate the dog's needs, your dog will never need to scratch. Would certainly work, but not too practical. You might instead use a free standing baby gate, or electronic Scat Mat outside the door, to prevent your dog from getting close enough to the door to scratch. Understand, your pet would be left to try and signal you in another way, such as howling or barking to be let in. T- Train an Incompatible Behavior - A behavior incompatible with scratching at the door might be a 'SIT.' But if you are inside, and your dog does a 'SIT'...how will you see it and know to open the door? Your dog believes s/he must make a noise to get your attention (see above.) Another option is to make your pet LOVE being outside! There is no need to scratch, if you don't want to come in, right? Possible ways to increase your pet's desire to be outside include hiding treats all over the yard, using a Buster Cube slow-release food toy, getting a second dog to play with, or simply spending more time outside with your pet. C - Change the subject - Some people have used a remote citronella spray collar in this situation. When the dog scratches, you press a button, and a collar with a reservoir of safe, natural citronella oil can spray up into your dog's face. This might be just enough deterrent to get your dog to stop scratching long enough to be quiet....then you can open the door. Remember, you want to open the door when your dog is quiet and *not* scratching...so it will be your job in the future to get your timing right. (Note: we don't recommend a shock collar for this!) P - Provide an Alternative - If your dog does not enjoy being outside away from you, then you might substitute more walks for free time outside. This is not a 100% solution, because it could result in a separation anxiety problem if you never let your pet learn to be alone outside without you. But it could really decrease the number of instances in which your dog would be tempted to scratch at the door. Another good solution is to hang a bell outside, near (but not right at) the door, and teach your dog to push it when s/he wants in. Puppies who are trained to do this from the inside, during early potty training, have no trouble generalizing the behavior to the outdoors. Ringing a bell somewhere close to the door is a great alternative to scratching at the door. R - Reinforce or Redirect the Habit- The door-scratching habit is reinforced when you open the door during/when/soon after the dog has scratched at it. Reinforce a no-scratch habit by not opening the door while your dog is scratching - open only after 2 minutes of no scratching. Say "Good Off" or some other word you have chosen, and only then, let your pet inside You may choose to try one, or a combination of several of these ideas. Do you have this or another training behavior issue? Maybe Riverdog can help - contact us to schedule a free consultation. In any case, we think its a good thing that your dog wants to be *with* you...not outside away from you. It means you did something right when you built a relationship with your pet!
Dogs scratching doors in the house is a common problem many pet parents experience but don’t know how to fix. While you might feel like your dog is just trying to destroy your property, they are actually attempting to communicate with you by exhibiting this behavior. So how do you stop your dog from scratching the door? Other articles you might like: Best Dog Gates for Jumpers and Best Dog Gates for Stairs. Why does my dog scratch the door?
Separation anxiety is common because humans need to leave the house, go to work, grocery shop, and basically live a fulfilled lifestyle that involves leaving the home. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety they might try to destroy the door that prevents them from being with you. Solving your dog’s separation anxiety can include using a baby or dog gate to secure them in an area of the house, putting a specially made shirt on them that helps them feel safe, and taking them with you whenever you can.
Dangers of Dogs Scratching DoorsAs your dog scratches and bits the door they can experience the following problems:
Methods for Preventing Your Dog from Scratching the Door
How to Stop Scratching When You Leave the HouseDogs that scratch the door when their owner leaves the house are often experiencing separation anxiety. This type of anxiety often produces destructive behavior, constant barking, scratching at the door and sometimes high pitch screeching that neighbors complain about. If your dog scratches the door when you leave the house the problem needs to be solved further than installing a protective barrier. Addressing your dog’s emotional needs and separation anxiety is essential to preventing the behavior from continuing and also helping your dog live a happier life. It’s important to understand that dogs are pack animals and need to be with their pack. When they are born, they have their canine pack which includes their mother and siblings. They do everything together and stay nearby throughout the day and night. As a pet parent who adopted a dog, you are now the mother or father to the dog and you and/or your family are their new pack. They naturally become filled with fear and anxiety when everyone in the house leaves and they are left behind. An excellent way to help your dog stay calm while home alone and prevent them from scratching the door and wall is to help them feel comfortable and not alone. Some helpful ideas include putting a specialized anxiety shirt on your dog that helps them feel secure and calm, putting classical music on the radio for them to listen to so they don’t feel isolated, and bringing them with you as much as you can so they don’t feel left out. How to Stop Your Dog from Scratching the Door at NightAs mentioned earlier, dogs are pack animals and prefer to sleep with their pack. That means the best way to stop your dog from scratching the door at night is to allow them to sleep in someone’s room so they don’t feel alone. Another helpful tip is to put up a barrier in the doorway so they don’t have the option to scratch on the door. The barrier is also helpful because it allows them to see out of the designated area or room into the rest of the house. How to Get Your Dog to Stop Jumping on the Door when Visitors ArriveDoes your dog jump on your dog as soon as the doorbell rings? If so, chances are you have plenty of scratches and small dents in your door. Installing door protectors are highly recommended but there’s also something you can do to help your dog stop jumping on the door. At some point, your dog has learned their jumping attention has gained them attention throughout their lifetime so they continue to do this behavior. There’s a big chance you can remember yelling at your dog to STOP jumping which only makes them do it more. The thing about dogs is when they want attention, it doesn’t matter that it comes in a negative or positive form because to them both ways are rewarding as long as they have your attention in some form. This means every time you address the issue by yelling at your dog they feel rewarded so they keep doing it to get your attention. You can train your dog that jumping doesn’t earn them any attention by ignoring the behavior and helping them to focus on something else. An excellent way to train your dog to stop jumping on the door is to keep a toy near the front door so when the doorbell rings or someone knocks on the door they pick up the toy with excitement instead of jump on the door. This training takes time and all dogs are different but you can stop the behavior by teaching them to do something different such as greet the visitors with a toy instead. This same technique is also well known for stopping dogs from jumping on people when they walk in the door too. Stopping your dog from jumping on the door by addressing their behavior and installing door protectors solve the problem and help you live in harmony with your dog! Conclusion for How to Stop Your Dog from Scratching the DoorStopping your dog from scratching the door is a difficult problem if you don’t know the root cause. Often times, dogs are are bored, have pent up energy, want to go outside, or have separation anxiety. Some solutions that you can try is installing a doggie door, installing a plastic claw guard that prevents your wood door from getting scratched, or separating your dog with a baby or dog gate. We hope that you found a solution to prevent your dog from ruining your front door. Other articles you might like:
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