How to Break Dogs From Scatching on Doors

Dogs begin scratching at doors for a number of reasons. The behavior may start due to separation anxiety, as an attention grabber, or just as a signal that the dog is ready to be let in or out through the door. Giving the dog what it wants when it begins to scratch will only encourage the behavior, so it's important to stop the scratching as soon as possible.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog door
  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ignore the dog when it scratches at the door and move out of its line of site. By letting the dog in or out when it scratches, or giving it the attention it is seeking, you are rewarding and reinforcing the behavior. When the dog fails to be rewarded by the behavior it is less likely to try again. If the dog has been given attention or had the door opened many times in the past, it may take quite a while to break the behavior.

    • 2

      Let the dog in or give it a pat only after the scratching has stopped for a few moments. Gradually increase the amount of time between when the dog stops scratching and when you reward the quieter behavior so that the dog starts to associate the two. Praise the dog and reward it immediately if it comes to the door and waits without scratching.

    • 3

      Install a dog door and teach the dog to use it so that the dog is not dependent on anyone to be let in and out of the house. Start training by leaving the dog door fully open and coaxing the dog through with a treat. Gradually hold the dog door lower and lower so the dog learns to push on it to go through. This will allow the dog to come and go as it pleases and eliminate the dog waiting at the door or feeling the urge to scratch.