Do you worry about the doorbell ringing because it makes your dog leap or bark uncontrollably? It's not just you. When the doorbell rings, many dogs become unduly excited. Dog owners (and guests) find the jumping, barking, or lunging annoying, but our dogs find it stressful as well. Fortunately, you can reduce the behavior by teaching proper doorbell etiquette. When you're receiving deliveries or visitors, life will be much quieter if you desensitize the dog to the noise of the doorbell and educate them to silently walk to a location and wait when it rings.
How do I stop my dog from barking at the doorbell?
1 - The Doorbell Sound and Shifts
You'll have to retrain and desensitize your dog to the sound of the doorbell if they become overly thrilled or psyched up by it. You may do this by pressing the doorbell on your home or by using a doorbell recording that is simple.
1: Start using high-value goodies that take some time for dogs to consume and are very odoriferous, sticky, or both.
2: Show your dog the treat. Push the doorbell sounds when they are licking the treat in their hands.
3: As your dog keeps licking, give them praise.
4: Repeat a few times. Pushing the doorbell first before delivering the treat may help your dog stop constantly licking or eating goodies, regardless of whether the doorbell rings. Following that, when the doorbell rings, give the treat lots of praise.
2 - Go to the place
We want to train your dog to go to bed whenever the doorbell rings, once they've grown accustomed to the sound. Giving your dog a task that prevents him from barking, jumping, or clawing at the entrance will help you interact with deliveries and visitors more effectively while still allowing the dog to succeed. It's beneficial to have a training partner who can ring the doorbell while standing outside. However, you may obtain doorbell noises online if you're practicing by yourself.
1: When the doorbell rings, use the high-value reward to attract your dog's attention. Then, in a cheerful manner, praise the dog while using the treat to entice him to his bed or crate. Give your dog the treat once they are lying on the bed.
2: Do this several times throughout the course of several training sessions.
3: As the person continues to lead the dog to the bed before you reward them, you can add a cue like "go to bed" or "place" once they are regularly following you or the treat there.
4: As the dog gains self-assurance, start phasing away the physical temptation by telling them to "go to bed" and rewarding them when they comply.
5: As you open doors and act out conversations with people or your training assistant, you can practice this skill over time. As you walk constantly to the bed to reward the dog for remaining there, continue to praise them.
3 - The doorbell acts as a cue.
When trying to teach or reinforce doorbell manners in your dog, consistency is crucial. The ultimate goal with the aforementioned exercises is to eventually train your dog to wait for treatment in bed when the doorbell rings. This prevents your dog from becoming excited or getting in the way while you collect deliveries, engage in conversation, or welcome guests. Door-to-door interactions will be more secure and relaxing as a result for both humans and dogs. Even when your dog has mastered this trick, it's a smart idea to keep a treat jar next to the front entrance. If someone unexpectedly knocks on the door or a box is delivered, you may instantly reward your dog rather than running around looking for snacks.
4 - Considerations for Dogs
Do yourself a favor and try to keep the dogs apart when the front doorbell rings if you have a senior dog in the house who gets extremely enthusiastic about the doorbell when you have brought a new puppy home. Alternatively, your puppy is likely to pick up undesirable habits from the older dog regarding how to respond to the doorbell. While we work with the second dog about doorbell manners, put one dog in a different area of the house or in a crate. Then switch. When both dogs are adept at responding calmly and going to their proper location when a doorbell rings, you're able to gradually start training sessions while both dogs are outdoors.
5 - Security First
Try to position your dog for success while teaching doorbell manners or reinforcing fresh responses regarding the doorbell, especially as it comes to safety. If you know somebody will be visiting and a delivery is coming, put your dog on a leash if they have a tendency to lunge at doors. To build a barrier and stop your dog from approaching the door to get a break for freedom, you can also employ baby gates or X-pens.
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