“Dog scratching” ;Does your cute little pup scratch at door and you are nonchalantly desperate on it. It is a common behaviour in dogs. But I know that you are desperate on it cause they ruin your clean doors. It’s disturbing to as well as the dogs do run the risk of getting nail injuries from scratching, especially with interior wooden doors.
However, it’s simple to train your dog not to scratch at doors. You have to internalize proper behavior and discourage unwanted behavior in dogs.Here are some tips to teach your dog not to scratch.
The 7 Tips to Keep Your Dog From Scratching the Door
1. Give Your Dog The Required Energy
Some dogs scratch because of boredom, anxiety, frustration, or attention-seeking behaviors. You work long hours and stay away from home for long hours , and your dog is alone. Consequently they’ll find outlets for their excess energy such as destructive behaviors like scratching at doors.
You may take your dog for long walks. A tired dog is a calm dog that is less likely to channel energy into ruining your things. Making your pup walk is also good for bonding, especially if you allow your dog to sniff and explore their surroundings.
2. Prioritize Playtime
It’s true that they need exercise, but should be something beyond physical stimulation. It tires your pup , helping to prevent boredom and improve your bond. You can engage in play sessions like fetch, tug-of-war, a challenging puzzle game, or even going through some basic obedience and tricks with your pup which will give your dog the attention they need while also sparing your doors from damage.
3. Redirect the Behavior
Dogs are great learners and they are extremely intelligent. You can reinforce the behavior you want—both intentionally and unintentionally—in how you react. Your pup may scratch the door to draw your attention. It’s indeed a pretty cunning trick that your pup tries out to keep him in your eyes. For example, you may let your pup go off until it scratches your dog and you finally yell out or scold. It’s too late to scold or yell at them cause it has already succeeded in getting your attention.
Redirecting the goal means rewarding the behavior you want by substituting good things for bad things. For example, you can redirect your dog to scratch a scratch pad instead of the door. You may interrupt your dog while scratching by calling them over and offering the alternative. Then reward them for what they engage with instead of the door. In the end your dog will learn that the new behavior is preferable to the door.
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Give Them Engaging Distractions
Some dogs feel anxious or stressed when left alone, so it helps to provide activities that can keep them entertained and use up some of their energy. If you’re going to be away for an extended period, consider giving your dog something engaging to do. One effective idea is to hide treats around the house; this scavenger hunt not only occupies your dog’s time but also stimulates their mind, helping them stay focused and happy while you’re out. Puzzle toys or lick mats are other great options, as they require mental effort and can keep your dog busy for quite a while.
However, it’s essential to be mindful of the types of toys and treats you leave for your dog when they’re unsupervised. Certain items, like deer antlers or squeaky toys, may not be safe if your dog tends to chew aggressively or destroy things. These can pose choking hazards or lead to accidental ingestion of harmful pieces. Additionally, if you have multiple dogs, avoid leaving toys or treats that might trigger resource guarding or cause competition, as this could lead to conflicts between them.
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Don’t Punish the Behavior
Avoid punishing your pup by yelling or using physical force, as this doesn’t help them understand or stop the behavior. In fact, punishment can have the opposite effect, especially if your dog is prone to anxiety. It can heighten their stress, anxiety, and fear, and may even reinforce the behavior by inadvertently providing attention. If you catch your dog in the act of scratching or engaging in other destructive behaviors, calmly interrupt them by saying their name, then redirect them to a more appropriate activity.
A more effective approach is to wait until your dog has paused or stopped scratching. At that point, you can encourage and reward them for the desired behavior. This helps reinforce stopping without accidentally linking the scratching to play or rewards.
7. Identify Underlying Causes
A dog that scratches at a door could simply be seeking attention or trying to get to you, but there could be other causes. Sometimes, a dog will scratch at a door because there are other dogs, cats, vermin, or wildlife outside that they want to get to. You can manage this behavior by putting up barriers so your dog can’t see outside or playing music while you’re gone to minimize outside sounds. You may also train your pup to prefer outside behaviour.
Should My Dog Be Crated?
If your dog shows destructive behaviors like scratching the door, you may be recommended to use a crate or X-pen that can be a lifesaver for your home. You can keep your dog away from triggers and protect both them and your door from damage while you’re away.
Only putting your dog in the cave is not enough. You may leave them for hours on end. Crate training properly takes weeks or months of effort. You may take your time with introducing the crate and using crate games to build a positive association. Eventually, your dog may prefer to sleep in their crate with the door open.