Scratching at Doors

This is my front door --

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Yes, I am constantly cleaning nose prints off the glass. :evil: But my real problem is the damage Toby has done/continues to do to the wood. This is just some of it --

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Not only has he chewed it, but he jumps up and has scratched the bejeebers out of the wood to the point that we are going to have to replace the door. Because we really like the style of the door and it adds a lot to our house, both inside and out, we want to stay with the same style. But any suggestions on how to keep him from jumping and scratching and ruining the next one ???

There are two other dogs, and they all love to sit and watch the world go by (and bark at every living creature that dares to encroach). Toby especially has gotten into the bad habit of scratching any door that he wants to open, including the pantry, door to the deck & garage, etc. Any thoughts on how to break him of this habit would be most welcomed!! He's about 18 months old, and this habit has been getting worse lately, whereas he has outgrown some of his other annoying puppy habits. Thanks for any suggestions!
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Well, it's not a pretty solution but if he stops the jumping you can remove it. That is screen guards on the door. They are metal mesh that fits over screen doors so Bowser doesn't jump or ram through the screen. They are cheap, are set with four tiny screws, tho I wonder if they come small enough to fit the two French doors. (ours are 36 inches wide) Available at hardware stores and door stores.
Or a panel of lucite screwed into the sides of the door (or on standoffs) to shield the panes. The panel of lucite can be replaced easily, but will still probably cost $50 or more. Lexan (if you can find it) might be best to resist scratching.

To save money, only go as high as needed to prevent standing up and holding on to the top edge.
My mom had the same problem with her patio door. I went to Lowes and bought a piece of plexiglass type material. It comes in several different thicknesses as well as sizes. Then bought the Industrial grade velcro tape and place it on the door as well as the clear plastic. Works great and is easy to take off to clean or when you have company.
The Velcro sounds like a good idea too!

Although the plexiglas... I'd be a bit concerned about scratching.
Great ideas, thanks. Any ideas on how to get him to stop scratching at doors in general?? Maybe we could tape a bunch of whoopee cushions to the door and hope that the sound scares him off! :lol: :lol: :lol:
My new Dalmatian is 6 months old and is a really gentle loving bitch who can crawl her way into anyones bed in the house but .....

She would go outside to eat or do her toileting but on immediate completion of her task would then THROW herself against the back door as if attempting to break through the glass

Today I started the water pistol treatment where I would catch her in the act and squirt her right between the eyes and Yell NO in a firm voice and after two harsh treatments she now waits gently outside the door just giving a low whimper and I have then let her in and rewarded her.

I believe some dogs may find the water pistol treatment to be a good game so it may not work with all.
Hi Popdog and welcome, I have a 7 year old dalmatian as well as a two year old sheepie.

Good luck with the squirting, at least you've started early. My back doors are sliding glass and they are both completely scratched to pieces inside and out. The dalmatian bats at them with his paw to come in and out, kind of like knocking. I havent been able to convince him not to so I've a given up and will replace the doors if we ever want to sell the house.

To save the screens I have used a carpenters stapler to staple plexiglass over them half way up. That way I get air in but he cant scratch holes in the screen down the bottom.
Oh Mim how we must love our dogs ....the things we do for them hey?

But I have been told with Dalmatians you must never give up as they are very strong willed but will come around to your ideas with persistence .

Today Lola has a giant shin bone to chew on and cannot understand why I will not let her bring it in .... today's task... teach her to stay outside when she must!

She found some digusting balls of stinky stuff on the beach yesterday and wanted to bring them home Ugh
^^^^^^
Yes I would have to agree having owned two dalmo's that they are VERY stubborn and strong willed. I dont know about the persistence bit after Sunday arvos obedience class. Obedient is not really a word you'd use and yet he was quite good a fortnight ago. :oops: :roll:
I have been using a baby gate at our house. at first I locked in in place but then Bella would just scratch the baby gate. Lately I have just been leaning it up against the door. Now if she tries to scratch the gate will tip over. It was a a good angle so that if it moved it would very slooooowly tip over. It is wooden but makes a loud noise. A few times with that and now she waits patiently for me to open the door. I think she has associated the front door and the big bad gate so now she just waits by the door when she needs to go out for potty. This way I don't have to be quick with the squirt gun.
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