Last updated on November 17th, 2022 at 05:25 pm

Fifty-fifty the smallest and virtually adorable of dogs has incredibly hard, sharp claws and they can easily ruin your favourite furniture and doors. When dogs become restless, they are naturally inclined to scratch at things, and information technology doesn't accept much for them to go out cruddy claw marks at the bottom of your door.

Some pet owners pre-empt this by installing pet doors so that their pets tin can go far and out hands, eliminating the need to scratch. If you can't do this, don't despair. You tin can train your domestic dog non to scratch, and information technology's commonly possible to repair the damaged wood.

Fixing a Scratched Door

Start by assessing the impairment. Lite scratches can treated easily just by sanding downward the damaged area, wiping it clean, and and so repainting. Deeper scratches, however, will require more thorough treatment.

To set up more than serious scratches, sand off the paint effectually the damaged area (and a little untouched woods too), and then use a wood filler to mask the deepest scratches. Permit the filler dry out, then repaint the door as normal.

A picture of a cat scratching a brown wooden door

Image source:  http://world wide web.flickr.com/photos/shamanic-shift

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Matching Colours

If y'all can't find a paint that matches the original colour perfectly, buy some gel stains and blend them to go a friction match that is as close every bit possible. When attempting to blend colours, start with a lighter stain and gradually make it darker. It's much easier to correct a too-light color than it is to lighten one that is too dark.

In one case you've constitute a good match, apply it to the sanded part of the door, and lightly feather that paint into the surface area that has the original stain. Let the pigment dry, and see how information technology looks. You may find that the gel has a dull cease, compared to the original paint on the door. If this is the case, y'all can brand it wait sleeky by spraying the gel with a clear finish.

A picture of a pile of colour swatches

Epitome source: http://world wide web.flickr.com/photos/thedalogs

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Tips and Warnings

It's like shooting fish in a barrel enough to make full in deep scratches and pigment over the filler if your door is painted rather than stained. However, stained or varnished doors are harder to take care of. Don't use traditional filler with varnish. Instead, try to sand downward the damaged expanse and so friction match the existing varnish with a fresh coat.

If you are able to practise so, consider fitting a pet door at the aforementioned fourth dimension as you repaint the existing wood. You may non have the option to practice this if y'all are living in a rented property, only it is something that is worth investigating. Your pets will be much happier if they accept the freedom to let themselves in and out.

Wait until y'all are confident that your domestic dog has conquered its impulse to scratch before taking the time to treat the door, otherwise yous'll end upward needing to varnish or repaint again and again. Naturally, after you have repainted the door, it's important to keep your pets away from information technology while the new glaze dries.