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Do you dread someone ringing your doorbell because it sends your dog into fits of barking or jumping? You aren鈥檛 alone. Many dogs get overly excited when the doorbell rings.
The jumping, barking, and lunging can be frustrating for dog owners and visitors. But it鈥檚 also stressful for our dogs. Fortunately, you can help minimize the behavior by teaching doorbell manners. By desensitizing your dog to the sound of the doorbell, life will be a lot calmer when you get deliveries or have visitors.
Read on to learn how to teach your dog some doorbell etiquette.
Shift Associations With the Doorbell Sound
If your dog gets very excited about the sound of the doorbell, you鈥檒l need to retrain and desensitize them to the sound. It can be helpful to have someone who can stand outside and push the doorbell while you鈥檙e training. You can also play a recorded doorbell noise from your phone.
- Start with high-value treats, like very smelly or sticky treats that take a little while for dogs to eat. Dog-friendly or in a toy or on a lick mat are options to consider.
- Show the treat to your dog. While they鈥檙e licking at the treat in your hand, push the doorbell noise.
- Praise your dog as they continue to lick.
- Repeat several times. When your dog consistently eats the treats as the doorbell sounds, try pushing the doorbell before giving the treat. Then, as the doorbell rings, offer the treat and lots of praise.
Go to Place
Once your dog has gotten used to the sound of the doorbell, we want to teach them to go to bed when the doorbell rings. Giving your dog something to do that is incompatible with barking or scratching at the door will allow you to more appropriately engage with your deliveries and guests. Plus, it will also allow your dog to be successful.
- When the doorbell sounds, get your dog鈥檚 attention with the high-value treat. Wth a happy voice, praise your dog and use the treat to lure them to their bed or crate. When your dog is on the bed, give them the treat.
- Repeat this during several training sessions over multiple days.
- When your dog is consistently following you to their bed, you can introduce a cue like 鈥済o to bed鈥� or 鈥減lace鈥� as you continue to guide them and then treat.
- As your dog becomes more confident, start to phase out the physical lure. Ask your dog to 鈥済o to bed鈥� and then treat when your dog is in bed.
- You can continue to work on this skill by opening the door and talking to your training assistant. Continue to praise your dog and walk to the bed to treat them for staying there.
Doorbell Becomes the Cue
Consistency is key when working to teach doorbell manners to your dog. The ultimate goal of the above exercises is that the doorbell ringing is going to eventually become the cue for your dog to go to their and wait to be treated. This allows you to retrieve packages or let your guests in without your dog getting in the way. This will make door interactions safer and less stressful for everyone, dog and human.
Once your dog is experienced at this skill, it鈥檚 a good idea to have a stored near the front door. That way, you can quickly reward your dog if someone unexpectedly comes to the door, instead of going in search of treats.
Multiple Dog Considerations
If you have an older dog in the home who gets overly excited about the doorbell and you鈥檙e bringing a new puppy home, do yourself a favor and try to keep the dogs separate when the doorbell rings. Otherwise, your puppy may learn unwanted patterns about how to react to the doorbell from your older dog.
Put one dog in another part of the house, while you work with the other dog on doorbell manners, and then swap. Once both dogs are successfully able to react quietly and go to their appropriate place when the doorbell rings, you can slowly begin training sessions where both dogs are out together.
Safety First
When teaching doorbell manners or reteaching new responses to the doorbell, try to set your dog up for success鈥攅specially when it comes to safety. If your dog has a tendency to dart out doors, keep them on a leash if you know someone will be visiting. You can also use dog gates to create a barrier and prevent your dog from getting near the door.