How do I fix a front door that has deep dog scratches in it?

3M has a great wood filler that will absorb a stain.

Bondo also makes a wood filler. You will have to order it on line, I couldn't find it at any local stores. They only carried the Bondo for cars. I patched my deck up with it and painted over it.

Bondo also makes a wood filler. You will have to order it on line, I couldn't find it at any local stores. They only carried the Bondo for cars. I patched my deck up with it and painted over it.

After you fix the deep dog scratches, I would get some clear Plexiglas the height of the largest dog scratches & screw it to the door, let the dog scratch it and not your door. I would ask your son for help in repairing your door, it was his dog.

Hope this helps

Kathy

I would ask a friend to help you. I am sorry to hear that your son doesn't care and not even looked at the scratches. I applaud you for forbidding his dog entry to your house. Go ahead and paint your door, I would get the Plexiglas just in case his dog enters your house again. How big is this dog? Mastiff, Great Dane, or even a Newfoundland? We have 3 Doberman's. By the way Lowe's will cut the Plexiglas to size for you at no cost, you could even look for remnants depending on the size of the scratches.

Hope this helps you

Kathy

I like Elmers wood filler it sands down easily and then you can repaint

Hi Carol, hope this helps. I had the same problem. I just put paint over to cover the scratches until I can properly repair it, and get your doggo trained up, and cover it with claw guard

https://www.amazon.ca/Protector-Scratching-Scratch-Frame-Guard/dp/B0BV9QYMTN/ref=sr_1_25?crid=1MNB6YGG1UZXZ&keywords=claw+guard&qid=1691538486&sprefix=claw+guard%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-25

Hi Carol: You can use some wood putty to put on the area. Stain it to match, or if the frame is painted, wait until the putty has dried and you've sanded it smooth, and then repaint.

Good luck

My mother had a similar situation with her grandson who would bring his large dog over and turn it loose. Of course the dog got into everything-inside and outside, it was all new and fascinating to it. Then the grandson would get upset because the dog "discovered" something to eat outside that was not part of it's regular diet and then blame his grandmother for any mess it made. Ugh. He began coming over less and less, and that was ok. People with pets should not be bringing them over to someone elses's house, unless they have their permission.

For your door, fill in the scratches with wood filler or Bondo for wood, sand and paint.

Wood filler is your best option. The only problem is many do not take stain well so you may have to paint the door.

Try using wood filler and then sand flat and paint. We don't take out pets to others homes when visiting. Nothing good usually comes of that.