How to Keep a Dog From Clawing Up a Screen Door

Dogs destroy screen doors for a number of reasons. Training helps in certain cases, but the reasons your dog destroys the screen door may have to do with deeper emotional- or social-related problems. Once you work out the underlying problem, it is usually possible to correct it successfully. If training is required, the dog should not be punished. Dogs relate better to positive reinforcement than to negative responses. Spending time with your dog and allowing him to exercise vigorously helps in certain cases.

Things You'll Need

  • Safe park or similar exercise area
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take your dog out to a park or other safe area, where it can run free and exercise. Many dogs are highly playful and damage doors and furniture through inappropriate play. Once your dog is out exercising and meeting other non-aggressive dogs, he might be less inclined to chew and scratch.

    • 2

      Ensure the dog̵7;s outdoor territory is not being invaded by a cat or neighboring dog that jumps or walks into your yard. Your dog will claw at and bite the screen door if it is locked indoors, but can see other animals in the yard.

    • 3

      Determine whether your dog is afraid of noises in the neighborhood. Dogs have better hearing than their owners, and may become unsettled by loud noises associated with nearby construction work or similar activities. A dog that is locked outdoors will attempt to get indoors by chewing and clawing at the screen door, particularly if the owner is away and the dog is alone.

    • 4

      Ensure your dog is not experiencing separation anxiety. Many dogs become totally distraught when their owners leave them alone at home. Your dog may be over-anxious to see you when you return home. If it suffers from separation anxiety, it may chew your screen door as an outlet for these emotions.

    • 5

      Do not lock one dog indoors and another outdoors, unless there is a valid reason for doing so. One or both dogs might attempt to get to each other, and will claw and tear at the door in the process.

    • 6

      Do not put a bitch in season behind a screen door. Either the bitch or the dogs that want to mate her will claw at the screen to get to each other.

    • 7

      Train your dog not to claw at doors, if he is doing so out of boredom or because he is mischievous. Wait until the dog begins to claw at the screen and immediately clap your hands loudly. Say ̶0;No̶1; at the same time. The clapping distracts the dog sufficiently to stop it from clawing, at which time you must praise the animal very generously. Repeat this exercise as frequently as necessary.