How to stop dog from scratching doors

[Janette Baillie]

Hi everyone

I am having quite a time with my puppy (7 months) scratching at our front and back doors to get in.  He's scratched the paint off of the front door, and he put holes in the screen on our back door.  Just ignoring him seems to make it worse.  Other than a physical barrier, does anyone have any tricks to stop this unwanted behaviour?

Thanks.

[Adina P]

You can teach him to bark to come in or buy a doggy doorbell.

[Janette Baillie]

I would love to teach him to bark to come in - but how do you do it? Our other dog will bark or just stand there until you let her in - she's never scratched at the doors. But this guy does. Any suggestions on how to get him to bark instead of scratch would be appreciated.

[Adina P]

If your dog just doesn't bark naturally it might be tough. But if you ever catch him barking then try to teach him a cue associated with barking...such as the word 'Bark'-- so if you see him barking tell him enthusiastically 'Bark!'' Then keep practicing until he understands the command 'Bark' and then have him do it outside the door and then let him in...over and over. All our dogs barked pretty readily so it wasn't hard.

But I was serious about the doggy doorbell. There is a review of it in our reviews section.

[TrevorDoodle]

Here is a video of the doorbell: http://www.doodlekisses.com/video/2065244:Video:194398

My doodle was only 7 months old in the video and he was a scratcher/barker before I tought
him how to use the doorbell. He was just learning how to use it and you will see him scratch and
bark a little in the video. He does not scratch or bark to come in now - only uses his doorbell.

[Janette Baillie]

That is toooo cute. What a patient dog you have and only 7 months old. Wow. I am very impressed. I'm afraid my pup has no patience at all. But it could be worth a try. Although I am pretty sure if we didn't let him in immediately he would start scratching at the door again. When he's on the back deck, he also jumps up and scratches on the windows, resulting in getting them all dirty and smudged.

[Adina P]

It might take going in and out with him over and over and every time until he starts to 'get it' -- in other words you couldn't let him outside alone with no way to ask .

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Can't help stop the scratching itself, but they make attractive door kicks that prevent the door or screen from being ruined.

[F, Calla & Luca]

It's always interesting to see how different dogs can be. Luca will always bark to come in. Calla will hang out til the cows come home until you remember to let her in.

[Janette Baillie]

In the case of my two dogs, personality plays a big role. Sadie is laid back and very sweet. She will just wait until somebody opens the door, or if that doesn't happen for a while, she will bark one woof. Finley on the other hand, is extremely impatient and wants what he wants, when he wants it. He comes up to the doors, jumps up on them and scratches. I want to fix the screen and repaint my front door, but I want to get this issue fixed or it will be a waste of time.
I appreciate all your replies. I am debating about the bell, I think it would take a lot of work for him to use it instead of scratching, but it might be worth a try.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Maybe you could just install a doggie door and teach them to use that.

[Janette Baillie]

Hi
I thought of that too - but the front door is steel with glass and the back door is a screen, then a glass door.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Are the glass doors paned? If so you might be able to remove appropriate panes to make a doggie door. The screen could be cut and framed with a flap.