Dogs who scratch at the door want to go outside or want to come back inside โ that much is obvious. If we can learn why he wants to go through the door, and meet those needs, we can more easily change his behavior โ in this case, ceasing to scratch at the door.
Humans will always accept โI need to go to the bathroom!โ as a valid reason for a dog wanting to go outside. But we often make judgments about our dogsโ other motivations for door-scratching โ which isnโt quite fair!
If heโs bored or lonely, try giving him interactive toys to play with in the yard, or go out and play with him instead of expecting him to entertain himself. If heโs hot or cold, bring him inside your temperature-controlled home. If heโs stressed or anxious (whether due to scary noises, separation distress, or anything else) minimize exposure to his stressor(s) while you do behavior modification to ease his distress โ and accept that he may never be a dog you can just leave outside on his own.
Teach an Alternative Behavior
Regardless of your dogโs motivation for wanting the door to be opened, itโs easy to teach him a new way to ask you for this service, such as ringing some jingly bells or pressing a touch-activated noise-making button. Just remember that door-scratching works for him because heโs learned that you come quickly because you donโt want your door scratched. Youโll need to respond just as quickly to the button or bells!
First, teach your dog how to activate the sound device by shaping him to touch it with a nose or paw. Every time he manages to trigger its noise, mark the event (with the click of a clicker or a verbal marker, such as the word โYes!โ and give him a treat. Then add a verbal cue. For example, you could say, โDoor?โ and encourage him to activate the noise. When he is successful at ringing the bell or pressing the button, mark (โYes!โ), open the door, and give him a couple treats outside (or inside โ whatever is the opposite of where you started). Gradually, you can stop delivering treats for this behavior; getting the door-opening service is his reward!
For detailed instructions on how to teach your dog to ring a bell or press a button, see โStop Your Dogโs Demanding Behavior,โ WDJ August 2017.
Manage Door Scratching
As with all behavioral issues, management will be key to your success in dealing with this behavior. While youโre teaching your dog that a bell or button is the better communication tool, youโll need to protect your door(s) so you donโt have to come running if he starts to scratch. Here are some management tools:
- Dog scratch door protector: There are various commercial products you can use to protect your door from your dogโs claws โ everything from protective tape to vinyl covers to hard plastic shields, depending on the intensity of your dogโs scratching.
- Exercise pen: You can set up a temporary exercise pen around your door(s) to block your dogโs access to the door while he learns to express himself in a more acceptable way.
- Avoid the trigger: You could simply choose not to leave your dog on the other side of doors while you are training him to use a more acceptable means of communication and/or helping resolve his anxiety about being left alone.
In many cases, a dogโs scratching behavior is modifiable. However, if your dogโs isolation or separation anxiety is significant, you may need to accept that youโll always stay with him in the yard.
