Mary Allen
“Help, my dog is scratching the door!”
When a dog scratches on doors, it quickly becomes a problem. Large dogs in particular can damage the doors and drive their owners to despair.
So that you are not forced to replace your doors regularly, we have compiled the most important tips and tricks for you in this article.
The most important thing right at the beginning:
In a nutshell: this is how you get your dog used to scratching at the door
To teach your dog not to scratch the door, you need to know why he’s scratching.
The most common reasons:
- Your dog has separation anxiety. He’s lonely and misses you.
- Your dog has too much energy.
- Your dog wants to tell you that he is hungry or wants to go for a walk.
Solutions:
Stop your dog when he scratches. Remain calm and call him over, then ignore him so he doesn’t get rewarded for his behavior.
Show your dog you’ll be back. Practice stepping out of the room and coming back in at short intervals before he starts scratching.
Spend more time with your dog. Give him a chance to burn off excess energy.
Reasons why your dog scratches the door
In order to stop your dog from scratching at the door, it is important to find out why he is scratching. We have listed these reasons for you here.
Your dog wants to tell you something
Some dogs scratch at the door because they want to express their needs that way. For example, that they want to go for a walk or if they are hungry.
If your dog scratches at the same time or only on certain doors, such as the kitchen door, it may well be trying to tell you something.
Your dog is bored
Dogs with a lot of energy like to look for something to do when they are not busy. They scratch and nibble on everything they can get their paws on.
You can tell that your dog is bored by the fact that he always wants to play with you. He jumps around you, brings you his toy or bumps into you, even after you’ve just gone for a walk.
Your dog has separation anxiety and wants to be with you
For dogs with separation anxiety, the world ends when they are alone. Then they do whatever it takes to bring the pack back together.
Many dogs with separation anxiety also bark or howl when left alone. Some even bite or scratch themselves or wet their homes.
Some breeds are particularly prone to separation anxiety. These include:
- Border collie
- German shepherd dog
- Australian Shepherd
- Labrador Retrievers
- Italian greyhound
Solutions and re-education
Now that you know why your dog is scratching, you can set about breaking the habit. The most important things for you are summarized here.
When communicating
If your dog is scratching to tell you he wants something from you, then you’re probably in the room while he’s scratching. Keep calm and don’t get angry, he doesn’t understand.
Stop him when he starts scratching. Call him over and ignore him when he comes. This will teach him that your behavior isn’t getting his attention.
Importantly, he doesn’t get what he wants by scratching. Otherwise he learns that his behavior is successful.
When bored
If your dog is not busy, he will look for something else to play with! So make sure he always has something to do.
Increase the number of walks or walk longer distances. Some breeds need up to 3 hours of daily walks.
Play with your dog! A Frisbee or a ball can make a big difference. Thinking games are also helpful, for example a feeding carousel.
For separation anxiety
Teach your dog that you don’t disappear when you leave.
Practice being alone with him.
To do this, leave the room several times and come back in immediately before he starts scratching. Keep calm when you come in and gradually increase the time.
Make sure your dog has something to do while you’re gone. His toy, a blanket or a chew bone can help.
It is important that you do not leave your dog alone for more than 6-8 hours. He is a pack animal and can quickly become lonely.
Conclusion
There are various reasons why dogs scratch. Watch your dog closely.
Bring a bit of patience for the training, keep calm and don’t get angry even if it’s difficult at times.
Good luck with your training!