When people talk about destructive scratching, cats are usually the animal that comes to mind first, but dogs can also be very destructive scratchers.

Seeking attention, separation anxiety, and trying to get to something they can't reach are the most common reasons for dogs to scratch. Seeking attention

This scratching behavior occurs because the behavior has been rewarded with attention. The dog may scratch on you, a door, or any other surface or item. You corrected the dog, scold him, pull him away, but the end result is that the dog got what it wanted - your attention.

Scratching Doors, Windows, Furniture

Scratching behaviors are caused in part by the person he is interacting with. Scratching at the door or at you is rewarded with attention or an action and thereby reinforced. When he scratches at the door and you open it, he learns that scratching the door is a good idea. When he scratches you and gets a response, he figures that he is on to something and should continue, perhaps with more intensity.

Why Do Dogs Scratch Doors and Windows?

• Seeking attention
• Separation anxiety
• Wants to get to something he can see or hear on the other side
• Energy to burn

Tips to Stop Dogs from Scratching

Ignore the behavior IF it is not going to hurt a person, the dog or cause damage to property. By not acknowledging his action, you will no longer be reinforcing it, so it will gradually die out. Unfortunately, scratching behavior usually does cause injury or damage, so this is often not the best technique. If the dog is scratching you, this is attention getting behavior. Teach him to sit for attention, with all four feet on the floor.

Manage the situation by preventing your dog from having access to what he is scratching. Keep him in his crate when you are unable to watch him, i.e. when you are gone or asleep. Keep him near you when you are home, either in the same room or even on a leash attached to you or a piece of furniture near you so that you can see if he starts scratching.

Redirect to an appropriate behavior. If the dog is scratching at the window or door to get at something on the other side, call him to you and reward him for coming. Do not allow the behavior to start if possible. If you catch him scratching, call him away as quickly as possible. DON'T scold him when he comes to you... 'come' was the last thing you asked him to do, that's what he will think he is being punished for. Instead, reward him for coming to you. Give him something else to direct his energy at, a toy or chew bone.

If your dog can't be crated because he hurts himself trying to get out of the crate, you need to seek professional help. Separation anxiety can be difficult to deal with. Speak to your veterinarian. You may need medication to help ease the dog's anxiety in conjunction with training to help resolve the behavior.