Asked on Jan 21, 2019

How can I repair dog damaged door frame?

Kerryn Ruxton
by Kerryn Ruxton

Any tips for how to repair this door frame that my dog chewed up? I’ve included a couple of pics so you can see what kind of door it is etc. Any help would be much appreciated!

  17 answers
  • Lorraine Lorraine on Jan 21, 2019

    Wow!😬! Maybe cut it out even with the bottom of the window, and replace with new framing?

  • Craft Invaders Craft Invaders on Jan 21, 2019

    I'd probably start but sanding it back and seeing what you are left with before actually cutting out any wood. It might be possible to fill and paint. It may also be possible to cover with a piece of trim. Has naughty pup definitely stopped chewing it? You wouldn't want to repair just for them to start again!

  • Helen Moore Helen Moore on Jan 21, 2019

    Sand it down, then use wood putty to build it up to its original state. Allow to dry completely and sand again between layers of putty. Finally, paint with an enamel, which is more durable than latex/acrylic. Why is the dog chewing it? You have to figure that out to prevent future damage. Perhaps the dog needs to be crated or confined to another space when you're not at home.

  • Bdescalzi Bdescalzi on Jan 21, 2019

    Sand it down smoothe, I repaired a similiar door by filling it in with drywall mud and sanding between coats. It is easier to sand and shape than wood filler.

  • Lulubelle1 Lulubelle1 on Jan 21, 2019

    I have been a "foster mom" for close to 25 dogs over the past few years so I feel your pain!

    I would suggest 2 products that you can apply to the damaged areas, sand and paint. Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty or Bondo All-Purpose Putty. I have used both for such projects!


    Good luck! Rebecca

    • Melbrooks Melbrooks on Jan 21, 2019

      I was going to suggest the bondo as well. It's harder than wood filler, spackle, or drywall mud, but sands great! I haven't used Durhams yet, so I cant speak to that one.

  • Susan Harris Seeley Susan Harris Seeley on Jan 21, 2019

    I would take out the damaged piece and replace it with Trex type plastic wood. This would be more dog proof, if you still have that dog. A product called Bitter Apple will stop animals from chewing on wood.

  • Bella Bella on Jan 21, 2019

    I had the same problem from my dog, alli did was wipe it down and used wood filler sand it put more wood filler and paint... if you sand it first the filler has nothing to stick too.

  • Lisa L Hall Lisa L Hall on Jan 21, 2019

    wood filler would be a good start. A lot of sanding will be needed so be patient and don't expect it to be perfect on the first layer. Depending on what that board's function is, you might be able to remove that piece completely. Take it to your local hardware store and ask them to cut a new piece to match. Without seeing the inside of the door (where the lock mechanism goes into the other door), it's hard to tell if that is a decorative piece.

    Lots of layers if you are going to do the wood filler. Sand it down until it's smooth. It doesn't have to be level, just smooth. You are going to fill it in until it's level.


    Once you fix it, you may want to look into plastic sheeting cut to fit that section so that your dog won't do this again. Wood filler will not hold up well to dog's nails.

  • Bijous Bijous on Jan 21, 2019

    Hi. Boy that dog wanted in/out really badly!

    -Remove the remainder of the moulding and clean up by sanding the paint flat and filling in the shredded section with exterior caulk.

    -Buy a new piece of screen moulding* (which is what the flat piece is called you've removed) and nail in place. Paint entire door to match the other.

    -Purchase a piece of plexiglas, have it cut to fit the lower half of each door and using mirror hangers, cover the lower half of your doors. The dog will not be able to get at the wood.

    Your pup may need some anxiety training too. Good luck.


    *You can purchase pvc screen moulding which is easier to cut using a box cutter.

  • Melody Stern Melody Stern on Jan 21, 2019

    Looks like standard door casing to me,,just remove whole piece and replace,easier than all of that filling and sanding! I put Tabasco sauce on anything my dog chews on!! Works great!

    • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jan 21, 2019

      I have done the same thing with our dogs in the past. Had one puppy that loved to chew on the leg of an antique coffee table and the hot sauce cured it in on the first lick and he never did it again. Only problem with the door is it looks like it was done with the nails and not chewed.

  • Mad29883817 Mad29883817 on Jan 21, 2019

    I would sand down and then cover with vinyl look trim all around

  • Shedog Shedog on Jan 21, 2019

    Take your photos down to the home center. Make sure to take measurements, length and width of that piece of Moulding. Go to the door area and show it to them. They will tell you how and sell you the supplies you need. If that piece is just a piece of trim it is an easy fix you can do yourself.

  • Dale Dale on Jan 21, 2019

    My son used bondo for cars

  • Oliva Oliva on Jan 21, 2019

    Once repaired, wiping the door frame/door with a lemon or orange scented liquid should keep the dog from repeating this. However, if it continues, you may need to crate the dog, as previously suggested, until better trained.

  • Melody Stern Melody Stern on Jan 21, 2019

    Well,,,If you don't have tabasco sauce,try dishsoap!!

  • Ellis Ellis on Jan 21, 2019

    I would remove the damaged section, and piece in a new piece of molding.