When dogs are left alone, they become bored and lonely. They will then try to find ways to keep themselves entertained. While some dogs might chew your shoes or nibble on the table legs, others might opt to spend their time destroying your home. The worst offenders are those who have a tendency to dig and scratch at things—specifically anything made of wood. If you have an active dog that likes to dig, scratch, or just destroy things when left alone, there are a few things you can do as an owner so that your house doesn’t look like it’s been hit by a hurricane (or rather a puppy). Read on for some excellent tips on how you can protect your door from dog scratching.
How To Protect Door From Dog Scratching?
1. Invest in a dog scratching post
If you have a dog that is prone to digging and scratching (and it’s not just because they’re bored), then you need to invest in some sort of dog scratching post. A good quality one will be durable, sturdy, and will last a long time. If your dog is going to spend all their time digging and scratching at something, you might as well get them something that’ll last. There are many different types of dog scratching posts available on the market today. Some are made from wood or rope while others are made from plastic or metal. You can also get ones with different textures such as smooth, rough, or sandpaper-like for dogs who like to dig and chew on things.
2. Spray the door with pet-safe repellent
For those who have dogs that just love digging and chewing at wood, there are pet-specific repellents that can be sprayed onto any potentially dangerous surfaces in your home—the door in this case. These repellents work by emitting a scent that dogs don’t like (and hence they stay away). This works well for most dogs but if your dog has an especially sensitive sense of smell, then this might not work too well for them because the smell is actually pretty strong—so much so that it might irritate people too! If you want to try this out, make sure you look for pet-friendly repellents before you use them.
3. Get a dog door stopper
If your dog is the type that’s always scratching and digging at your door while you’re away, then the best thing to do is get a dog door stopper. This is a simple device that easily attaches to the top of any door and will prevent your dog from being able to scratch or dig at it. This works especially well for dogs that are too small or too weak to be able to reach all the way up to the top of the door. It’s also great for those who don’t like their dogs scratching or digging at their doors because you can remove it when you want your dog to be able to go outside.
4. Try a dog scratching mat
If you’re tired of your dog scratching and digging at your door, then you might as well get them a dog scratching mat to prevent them from doing so. These mats are made from very tough materials that are designed to withstand the most persistent digging and scratching. They also come with a strong anti-slip backing so they’ll stay in place even when your dog tries to move them around. The best part is that they’re usually quite affordable too—so it won’t cost you much to get one for your dog.
5. Add some vinegar or citrus fruits to their water bowl
This might sound like an odd suggestion but it actually works wonders for some dogs! There are some dogs out there who just love digging and chewing at things (wood in particular). This is often because their owners don’t give them enough stimulation or exercise. If you have one of these sorts of dogs, then try adding vinegar or citrus fruits into their water bowl every day or two (depending on how bad the problem is). Not only will this help deter the dog from chewing on wood, but it will also help freshen up their breath too!
Maintaining A Proper Diet
- Don’t feed your dog any food that might make him or her feel as if they need to be scratched. For instance, it’s a good idea to make sure your dog isn’t eating too much protein. High protein foods can often lead to excessive itching and scratching. Instead, try feeding your dog higher fiber foods such as whole grains and vegetables. These will help keep your dog feeling full longer and allow them to avoid excessive scratching.
- Feeding your dog the proper amount of food can also help reduce their desire to scratch excessively. If you feed them too much, they might feel as if they need to find ways to burn off the excess calories—such as by scratching excessively at doors. Make sure you consult with a professional before making any changes in the diet of your pet so that you can ensure that he or she is getting the proper nutrition for his or her size, weight, and age.
- Another thing you can do is purchase some anti-itch shampoo for dogs. This will help provide relief from any itchiness or irritation caused by allergies or fleas on their skin so that they don’t feel compelled to scratch excessively at doors just because of annoying itchiness on their skin from fleas or something else like that—it may be enough just to treat the itching instead of trying to prevent it entirely (although both are good).
- You should also consider purchasing a special door protector made especially for dogs. These door protectors are made from a strong material that will withstand the scratching of a dog and will help to protect your door from damage. These materials can be found online or at pet stores near you.
- If you have a dog that likes to scratch at doors, it is important to train them not to do so by using positive reinforcement through praise and treats. Don’t yell at your dog or hit them with a newspaper if they are scratching—do not use any form of punishment but instead reward them when they do something right so that they continue to do the right thing. For instance, if you notice your dog scratching at the door but then stopping himself, give him some treats and say something like “good boy!” This will reinforce his behavior of stopping himself from scratching and should help him learn not to scratch doors in the future.
Giving Your Dog Something To Chew On
- Get a chew toy. A good idea is to get a few different kinds of toys that your dog can use when you’re not around. Your dog will be less likely to start chewing on doors or other household items if they have something else to chew on.
- Give your dog food puzzles and other interactive toys. If you’re going to be gone for more than a couple of hours, give your dog a food puzzle or some other kind of interactive toy that keeps them busy while you’re gone. These toys are designed so that dogs will have to solve them in order to get the treats inside—this keeps them from getting bored and destroying things while you’re away from home. Food puzzles are great because they keep the dogs busy for an extended period of time, which means that they won’t find anything in the house to chew on while you’re gone!
- Get your dog some exercise before you leave them alone in the house. If possible, make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise before you leave him alone in the house (or outside). This helps reduce pent-up energy and frustration, decreasing the chances that he’ll try and take out his frustration by scratching or digging at things in your home when he’s left alone.
Conclusion
Dogs are wonderful creatures, but they can also be messy and destructive. Dogs will often chew and scratch at things when they are bored or itchy. If you notice that your dog is doing either of these things, you should take them to see a veterinarian. Dog scratching can be a very destructive habit. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do as an owner to protect your door from dog scratching. You can maintain a proper diet, get your dog something to chew on or get them a dog coloring book. You can also install rigid foam or neoprene mats, or use a toy that sprays water or makes noise when they press on it.
