Dogs are surely a man’s best friend. But that does not mean they get to scratch your car’s exterior, which is not only expensive but also lowers the value of the car. Even if your dog is well-trained to travel with you and your family members in the vehicle, excitement can get the most out of them in some cases. In such situations, there is no need to be frustrated. We have compiled a list of practical tips for you to protect your car paint from dog scratches. Apart from training your dog, you can protect your car by considering paint protection film or ceramic coating.

Protecting Car’s Paint From Dog Scratches

Secure Your Dog Properly

If your four-legged friend is an everyday travel companion, you will need to make sure it is secured properly. Every dog has a comfort zone and tends to choose their favorite spot in the vehicle to take a nap. Although having a dog as a company is a blessing but it can be slightly risky and dangerous too.

Dogs are vulnerable creatures as well and can panic and become anxious all of a sudden due to strange noises or minor impacts. This could cause them to be scared and jump for safety, increasing the probability of an accident.

This is another reason apart from preventing the vehicle’s paint from getting scratched for keeping the dog secure and safe in its comfort zone.

Nail Caps

If your dog does not like to be secured or held in place for long hours during the journey, you can purchase nail caps and cover the nails to prevent it from scratching the paint as well as the interior. Nail caps are made of soft vinyl and can easily be attached to the dog’s nails using adhesive.

The biggest advantage of opting for nail caps is that they do not make the dogs uncomfortable. Allowing them to move around inside the vehicle while enjoying the views is the experience you can offer your dog. The last thing you would want is the dog feeling anxious and frustrated, having been tied in a place for a long time.

This could lead to the dog acting out of frustration and trying to attack or bite in an attempt to escape.

Install Paint Protection Film

PPF installation is an excellent way to protect your vehicle from dog scratches. A paint protection film is a thin transparent silicone layer that is installed over the vehicle’s body to prevent UV rays from contacting the vehicle’s body directly and avoiding scratches and protecting the paint’s finish.

The process of installing a paint protection film takes place in multiple stages. Plus, the total cost of the installation depends on the vehicle’s model. The key factor that needs to be considered while installing a paint protection film is opting for an expert to get the job done.

The detailing word is saturated with so-called experts who claim the best work at lower rates than the market average. It might be tempting to opt for such an expert, but always hire certified individuals only.

The reason is that paint protection films are not cheap and tend to be an investment in your vehicle. An expert will guarantee the best-quality work compared to an amateur who might end up ruining the paint as well. So, always opt for an authentic retailer and installer for getting PPF and also car window tinting Springfield.

Train Your Dog

If you are willing to spend or invest some time and effort into training your dog, there is nothing better. It is only natural for a dog to be excited when they hear you approaching the house after a long day of work. But you can train it to stop from jumping onto the vehicle or scratching the door once inside.

If you are not able to spend that amount of time and effort, you should hire the services of a professional to train it. At the same time, you can also use a leash to control the dog’s movement while entering or exiting the vehicle.

Using treats, you can train the dog to be calm and watch its steps whenever the vehicle is near. It will help keep the dog comfortable and make the learning experience a lot more enjoyable, rather than torturing. However, if your car does get scratched, use ways to remove the scratches.

Use Deterring Devices

Some dogs are fond of scratching the car doors. If you are not able to stop it any other way, you might want to use harmless deterring devices. For example, you can use a citrus-based spray that dogs don’t usually like.

Make sure not to use the spray excessively as it can lead to health concerns as well. Some dogs may learn quickly, while others may take time. This does not mean you go overboard with the spray. Plus, you should stop the dog whenever he is in the act to let him know why you are concerned or acting frustrated.

This repeated action will slowly make the dog realize the problem. Eventually, it will stop doing so and you can offer it treats to let it know it is doing a good job.

Cover The Vehicle

Dogs can be a bit mischievous when nobody is looking. This is especially true if you have accidentally left their favorite food inside the car. They will try to jump the vehicle and somehow enter to be able to access them.

While playing, dogs can throw their favorite toys or balls underneath the vehicles and scratch them while trying to retrieve them. In such cases, you should cover the vehicle apart from to prevent the dog from scratching the vehicle without even realizing it. This will also help you maintain the paint protection film more easily.

Plus, during the summer season, dogs tend to find cool places to sit and relax. If your vehicle is parked under a shade and is cool, your dog might find a reason to jump on it and sit for a while. But with a cover installed, you won’t have to worry about things getting out of hand.

Cargo Cover

If you like to take your dog with you every time you go out, you might need to opt for a cargo cover that allows the dog to lie down comfortably inside the vehicle while protecting the seats and the interior of the vehicle.

Additionally, some cargo covers extend to your vehicle’s rear bumper as well, allowing the dog to enter the vehicle without scratching the paint. Keep in mind that you might have to train your dog to sit on the cargo cover as well.

Some dogs tend to be conscious and may feel anxious due to the unidentified scent or smell. So, be patient and give them time to adjust.

Conclusion

Protecting your vehicle’s paint from dog scratches can be both easy and time-consuming at the same time. But, regardless of the situation, you will need to practice patience and be calm. Your dog is an animal at the end of the day and will depend on you for learning. So, go to a paint protection film installer Springfield for PPF installation and also employ the best techniques to train your dog.