Dogs are wonderful pets, but sometimes they can be little nuisances—especially to your home's maintenance. If your dog has scratched one of your glass doors badly, you will probably need professional assistance from a company like Caplan Bros Inc for glass door repair. However, if the scratches aren't very deep, you may be able to fix them yourself. And whether or not you take the DIY route, you'll want to make sure your fixes stay permanent—take a look.
Quick Fixes
Before you can fix any small scratches, you'll need to clear away any debris or dirt. Use a microfiber cloth so you aren't adding to the problem. Wet the cloth with a mild glass cleaner that's recommended by your door's manufacturer and clean the door.
Once the cleaning product has dried, you will need to grab a whitening toothpaste and a scouring pad (again, choose a brand that won't scratch the glass further). Lifehacker says that you need to make sure that your toothpaste is pure paste and not gel for this method to work.
Apply a little dollop of toothpaste to your scouring pad and buff the scratches in small, circular motions.
Once you are satisfied with the appearance of the glass, you'll need to clean it again. While some people use ammonia for this step, that can be quite dangerous for your respiratory system if you don't have good ventilation by the door and if you aren't equipped with gloves or a face mask. Instead, try white vinegar or sodium carbonate products for safer cleaning.
If the scratches aren't fading despite your efforts, then you may need to call in a professional.
Preventative Care
Once your door is fixed, you're obviously going to want to keep it that way. Here are a few solutions to consider
Installing a Doggy Door
If your dog scratches the glass door as a way to let you know that he or she wants to go to the bathroom or go outside to play, then you may want to invest in a doggy door. Besides protecting your glass, Petdoors.com says that these doors a beneficial to owners since your dog will be self-sufficient and be able to exercise, have an escape route in case of a fire, and avoid potty accidents on your carpet and furniture.
Installing a Door Shield or Durable Mesh
Doggy doors can be somewhat expensive to install—you may need a new door altogether. However, if you do a quick Google search, you'll find that there are many PVC door guards available, many of which are only a few bucks. These doors can be attached to your door with an adhesive and don't ruin your door's finish. If your dog still is going to scratch the door when he or she sees things outside, then at least a shield will keep their prime scratching spot free from permanent damage.
If your glass door is protected by a screen, you may be concerned about your dog scratching through it and getting to the glass. However, manufacturers understand that owners have pets that can wreak havoc on these mesh screens, so again, if you do a quick Google search, you'll be able to find mesh screens built to withstand claws.
Making a Scratch Board
While cats are the ones known for scratching, dogs can be scratchers if they need to stretch or if they're bored. Some breeds are more prone to digging, so you may have already set aside a rug or towel for them to dig into instead of your good carpet. The same idea can be applied for scratching: you can make a designated scratching board so they avoid the glass door. By gluing sandpaper to plywood, you can make a large file of sorts for your dog to wear down his or her nails.
If you follow these tips, you'll avoid more scratches and your glass door will look great for many years to come.
