@cutemama246,
I agree with you that training a dog to behave is showing love, not lack of responsible ownership. Each situation is different.
We have a fenced in yard facing the canal (no cars), several large shaded areas, and a pool with a large sun shelf they love to wade in. My 2 dogs either whine or yip to come in. The doors are hurricane-strength heavy glass with a sun-protectant coating - very expensive.
The problem is a friend's 6 year old lab mix I dog-sit who is used to scratching to get in. I can't stand and watch him ruin the coating while I wait for him NOT to scratch to let him in. I can't put a cover over the glass or out anything outside to keep him from getting close. I'm curious about the "scat mat"; is it expensive? We have 3 doors! I may resort to slapping a flip flop on the door when he scratches. Any other ideas are welcome (not sitting the dog is not an option).