Dogs are notorious for ruining screened porches. They scratch at them, claw at them, and generally can make a mess of things. If you have a screened porch, you know how frustrating it can be to keep your furry friend from destroying it. Here are a few tips on how to dog proof your screened porch:
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5+ tips on how to dog proof your screened porch:
So, what can you do to keep your dog from scratching or clawing at your screens? Take a look at these five tips:
Use screen grills
Screen grills are a great way to keep your dog from being able to access the screens on your porch. They are made of stainless steel, aluminum, or metal and fit snugly over your screens.
They are see-through so your dog can still see what’s going on outside, but they can’t get to the screens. This is a great option if you want to keep your porch looking nice and avoid having to constantly replace screens.
We highly recommend the Tooltriz Screen mesh for your screen grill needs. The roll makes it easy to install, and you’ll save money in comparison to other options that don’t look as good. This particular mesh looks much better than traditional grills that make your home look like a jail.
Plastic Scratch Shields
If you don’t want to go the grill route, you can use plastic scratch shields. These are clear plastic sheets that you attach to the inside of your screen with double-sided tape.
They are virtually invisible and will protect your screens from being scratched or clawed. This is great for the people who don’t like the grill look and want to keep their porch looking as original as possible.
You can find scratch shields at your local hardware store or online retailers like Amazon. We recommend “The Door Shield” from Cardinal Gates. Don’t let the name fool you, this product can be used on screens as well!
Get a heavy-duty door
A heavy-duty door will make it harder for your dog to scratch or claw at the screens of your dog. This is because the door is much heavier and sturdier, making it difficult for your dog to push through.
This is a more permanent option compared to the first two, and it will definitely keep your screens safe from destruction. You can find heavy-duty doors at your local hardware store or online retailers.
Although this is a more pricey option, it is worth it in the long run as you won’t have to keep replacing your screens.
Use a dog door
Maybe your dog just wants to go outside and doesn’t understand that the screen is there to keep them in. In this case, you can try using a dog door.
A dog door is a small door that is installed in your regular door or window. It gives your dog the ability to come and go as they please without having to go through the main door. This is a great option if you want your dog to have access to the outdoors without having to worry about them scratching or clawing at your screens.
You can find dog doors at your local pet store or online retailers. We recommend “PETOUCH Aluminum Pet Door” It’s easy to install and comes with a great safety feature.
Place furniture against screening
This tip could be quite self-evident, but placing furniture against screening will make it more difficult for your dog to scratch or claw at the screens.
This is because they will have to go around the furniture to get to the screens, and it will block their access. This is a great way to keep your porch looking nice and avoid having to constantly replace screens.
You can use any type of furniture for this, lounge sets are perfect as they can cover a large area. But, if you don’t have any furniture, you can always use boxes or crates.
Bonus tip – visual barrier
For some dogs, all they need is a visual barrier to deter them from scratching or clawing at the screens. This can be something as simple as placing a tablecloth over the screen or hanging a colorful tapestry in front of it.
This is a great option if you don’t want to permanently change anything about your porch or if you are renting and can’t make any changes.
Final thoughts – How to dog proof a screened porch
There are a few different ways that you can dog proof your screened porch. You can use a screen mesh, scratch shields, or a heavy-duty door. You can also try using a dog door or placing furniture against the screens. If all else fails, you can try using a visual barrier.
Whichever method you choose, make sure to keep an eye on your dog and monitor their behavior. With a little patience, you should be able to stop them from scratching or clawing at the screens.
