I have a pit bull that is raking nerves. She is a smart dog and has been well trained. However, I think she gets cold easy because whenever I let her outside and it's cold she does her business and then immediately scratches at the door. She knows how to speak on command and I've been asking her to do so before I will open the door. However, she's getting the hint. She sees me in the window of the door and then barks without my asking but only after she has, first, scratched the door. I'm not sure how to get her to stop scratching the door and only speak. I know that I should totally ignore her scratching but I don't want to have to replace a door. I plan on selling this house within the year! Please help! Oh, and please hold your sarcasm.

I have an in-ground invisible fence around the back porch. You train them to stay off the porch and that will solve your problem. Good luck.

I use a cheap spray bottle filled with water.

I'm not sure the underground fence will work. My lab digs up everything. It looks like I have wild hogs living in my back yard. Another problem that i need help with. Ha!!!!

Boot her front feet before you let her out, then she wont scratch anything.

Quackaddict,I have the same problem with our GSP except the goofy thing won't bark for nothing. I've got her trained to come to the door and sit before I'll open it but it doesn't do any good if somebody's not paying attention. She's already tore up some trim work on the back door from her jumping up wanting in. We're to the point of just putting in a dog door.

Try standing in the door so that she can see you but don't open the door. Just stare at her. If she scratches tell her "NO!" and take one step backwards. Once she has sat there without scratching for about 30 seconds tell her to speak and take a step forward. When she speaks, instantly open the door to let her in. If she keeps scratching instead of speaking, take another step backwards and command "No!". Repetition will be the key. If you are consistent I'll bet she gets it within a week. This is just a variation of what I think would work from training a birddog to stop barking and whining while staked out.

Thanks so much! I will give it a try. I know that she knows what 'NO'means. Everytime I say it she stoops down and almost crawls away from me. You would think that I beat her! Dogs are just like kids sometimes!
But I will try and let ya'll know how it goes. Thanks again.

You can also try sit then speak, after a while she will know to come in she must be seated and bark, also if you train her to sit in a spot away from the door that will help as well.

A good friend of mine trains all breeds but has 2 blue pitties when he lets them out they do their business and come sit on a mat side by side until he opens the door or tells them its ok to play. This breed loves to please and with a little work she will do just what you want her too.

I could make a 2 page reply to this......To sum it up you need to figure out how to teach the dog that it goes out and comes in when you want it too.

My dogs dont dictate when they go out or come in. I set that rule based on what I think is best for the dog.

I agree. Sometimes when my dog wants to go outside I'll make him heel beside me at the door and make him stay as I open the door. He wants to run outside sooooo bad but I make him sit there until I release him. Good training for the field too. However, I do respond to the dogs when they tell me they need to go outside because I'd rather let them out than clean pee or crap up off the floor. Afterall, that's what I trained them to do.

I read on a website that dogs will try to be the "pack leader" and in theory may get into their head that you are their property.

Bad things for a dog to do:
Jump on a couch without you inviting it up.
Jumping on you without you inviting it.
Barking without being asked.