- Place plastic scratch screen protectors over your door or attach a door kick plate to absorb the damage from your dog’s scratches.
- Cover your door with a bed sheet as a quick and protective alternative.
- To prevent your dog from scratching, block their access with a pet gate, or consider installing a dog door.
Protecting Your Doors From Scratches
Cover your door with a scratch screen to absorb damage. Scratch screens are thick sheets of clear plastic that work similarly to screen protectors for phones. You simply attach the screen to your door and when your dog scratches it, it damages the screen and not the door. 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. Over time, your dog’s scratch marks will start to appear and cover the scratch screen. This indicates that it’s time to replace the screen. For a DIY option, cut a sheet of plexiglass or fiberglass into pieces that fit over the bottom and side of your door. Then, attach the pieces with velcro strips or hot glue.
Install a kick plate to prevent deep scratches. A kick plate is a thin sheet of metal that you use to prevent the bottom of your door from getting scuff marks and other damage. This little plate can also prevent dog scratches from marring your door. For most types of kick plates, you either screw the plate into your door or attach it with heavy-duty glue. Follow the instructions that came with your kick plate to install it correctly. Some kick plates simply slide onto your door’s bottom rail. Some dog companies sell kick plates that are specifically made to protect your doors from scratches. There is typically a plate that you install below your doorknob, too.
Drape a bed sheet over the door to prevent light scratches. If you’re in a pinch and need a quick way to protect your door, cover it with an old bed sheet or blanket. Simply drape the sheet over the top edge of the door, ensuring that it hangs over the area your dog scratches. Then, close the door to secure the sheet in place. Alternatively, cut your sheet or blanket into pieces and attach them directly to your door using velcro or adhesive spray.
Apply wallpaper over the door for an aesthetically pleasing alternative. To apply peel-and-stick wallpaper, wash your door with a mixture of warm water and dish soap. Then, let it dry for at least 8 hours. Cut the wallpaper into pieces that fit along the bottom and sides of your door, or wherever your dog tends to scratch. Then, peel off the wallpaper’s backing, press it onto your door, and smooth it over with your hands. If you’re wallpapering the entire door, remove the doorknob first.
Use furniture or a pet gate to block your dog's access to the door. One of the easiest ways to protect your door from scratches is to simply keep your dog away from it. 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. Or, set up a pet gate right in front of the door to prevent your pup from getting too close.
Cover the door’s weather strip with vinyl lattice to protect it. As your dog scratches the door, they might also scratch up the thin weather stripping between the door’s hinges and frame. To protect it and keep your home well insulated, cut a piece of vinyl lattice that’s the same size as your doorjamb. Then, nail the vinyl to the doorjamb and cover the nail holes with caulk for security. If the stripping is already scratched up and damaged, replace the weather strips with new pieces.
Keeping Your Dog From Scratching the Door
Trim your dog’s nails so they can’t make deep scratches. Whether you’re trimming your pup’s nails with clippers, a grinder, or a file, grab 1 of their paws. Then, gently press your thumb into 1 of their toe pads to extend the nail. Take your trimming tool and cut the very tip of your dog’s nail straight across. Just repeat the process with the rest of your dog’s nails. Do not cut or file past the curve of your dog’s nails. Their nails contain blood vessels and nerves after the curve that can bleed or hurt when they’re cut. For a smoother, softer nail, file down your dog’s nails after you cut them.
Walk and play with your dog so they’re too tired to scratch. Dogs often damage furniture when they have a lot of built-up energy and no way to release it. So, make sure your dog gets enough exercise and stimulation each day so they’re not feeling bored. Walk your dog for at least 10 minutes each day, adjusting the length to their energy levels and mobility. Then, play with your dog at least twice each day. For instance, play fetch or tug of war with your pup throughout the day. Give your dog lots of fun toys to keep them stimulated when you’re not playing with them. For example, get them a squeaky toy to chew and wrestle with.
Place toys by the door to distract your dog from scratching. If you keep your dog occupied, they won’t have time to even think about the door, let alone scratch it. Simply scatter a bunch of chew toys, bones, tennis balls, and other toys around the door so your dog focuses on them instead of feeling tempted to scratch the door. Add puzzle toys to the mix, like a Kong, to keep your dog occupied for even longer.
Install a dog door so your pet can enter and exit whenever they want. Your dog might scratch at the door when they want to go outside or come back inside. 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, use a jigsaw to cut out the outline and then insert the door pieces inside. Instructions can vary for different types of dog doors and doors, so follow the directions that come with your dog door.
Hire a dog sitter if your dog scratches while you’re away. If your dog usually scratches the door while you’re at work, school, or simply running errands, ask a pet sitter to come and check on your pup throughout the day. Or, enroll your dog in a doggie daycare program to keep them away from your door and get them to socialize with other dogs. As a less expensive alternative, hire a dog walker to come and walk your pup when you’re out of the house. If your dog gets stressed when you leave, play calming music or keep the radio on to help them deal with separation anxiety.
Spray a no-chew spray on the door if your dog also gnaws on it. No-chew sprays have an unpleasant taste that discourages your dog from licking or chewing wherever it’s sprayed. Just spritz the areas of your door where your pup tends to bite and scratch to keep them away.
Training Your Dog Not to Scratch Doors
Interrupt your dog when they scratch and reward them for stopping. When you see your pup scratching, call them to you and give them a treat for walking away from the door. Keep repeating the exercise until your dog consistently responds to your call. Then, leave your dog alone in the room and stand outside the door. When they scratch at it, wait for them to stop and let 30 seconds pass before you open the door. Then, reward them for not scratching with a treat or praise. Keep waiting for your dog to stop scratching and then reward them for the behavior. This teaches your dog that scratching does not open the door while waiting patiently does. It can take up to several weeks of consistent training to teach your dog not to scratch the door. If your dog doesn’t respond to you when they’re scratching at the door, say, “No,” in a firm tone and move them away from the door.
Teach your dog to ring a bell to go inside or outside instead. Hang a bell near your door that’s low enough for your dog to reach. Then, hold a treat behind the bell to get your dog to touch it with their nose. When they do, say a command and give them the treat. After your pup is comfortable ringing the bell, start opening the door when they ring it and give them a treat for going through it. Gradually reduce the treats you give your pup so they start to associate going outside (or inside) as their reward for ringing the bell. For instance, say a command like, “Outside,” “Door,” or “Ring the bell.” Get the behavior to stick by asking your dog to ring the bell every time they go through the door. If your dog still sometimes scratches at the door, ignore their behavior. Only reward them with a treat or praise when they ring the bell. It can take several weeks of consistent training to teach your dog to ring the bell.
Crate train your dog to help them overcome separation anxiety. If your pup scratches at the door whenever you leave, teaching them to stay in their dog crate can keep them calm. Make the crate comfortable by setting down a blanket or bed. Then, reward your dog for entering the crate with treats or a food puzzle toy. When they’re comfortable in the crate, close it for 10 to 15 minutes while you’re still in the room. Then, start leaving the room while they’re inside. Gradually increase the amount of time your dog stays in the crate, especially when you leave the house. For instance, crate your dog in 30-minute increments until they are comfortable staying in it for several hours during the day or overnight.
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