From the postman with a parcel to a friend popping by for a cup of tea, your doorbell probably rings at least once a day.
If your dog doesn’t react, it’s no big deal. But we know from first-hand experience at Tug-E-Nuff that if you have a dog that goes bananas every time the doorbell rings, it can quickly become tiresome. And you may even worry about them bolting out the door.
Fortunately, you can teach your dog doorbell manners - and you can do it with play. We spoke to Pet Remedy’s behaviour consultant Andrew Hale for some expert advice on how to stop your dog barking at the door.
Why does your dog bark at the doorbell?
First up, we asked Andy why some dogs bark and jump all over the place when the doorbell rings.
Andy says, the ding dong or knock at the door can trigger a nervous system response in dogs. They may associate the sound with excitement or unpredictability. Their reaction may differ and can vary depending on who’s coming, what’s happening, and also on the mood and emotions of their human.
For lots of dogs, it’s all about excitement and they bark in anticipation of what or who is on the other side of the door (maybe it’s a Tug-E-Nuff delivery!).
Changing associations with the doorbell
Andy shared his magic doorbell training game with us - a fun and easy way to change your dog’s behaviour when the doorbell rings. What makes Andy’s training approach different is that instead of focusing on stopping the excitement and barking, he uses it to bond and redirect away from the door.
What you need:
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A place away from the front door you’d like your dog to go to
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Some treats and calming enrichment toys
Step 1: Introducing ‘Let’s go see’
Before we introduce the doorbell to your training, teach your dog to play ‘let’s go see’.
Andy calls this a bridge cue. It’s a phrase you’ll later be able to use when the doorbell goes to encourage your dog to go to their special place (instead of charging the front door or guests).
Choose a ‘special place’. A place you’d like your dog to go to when the doorbell rings or guests come over. You might choose the kitchen, office, spare room - anywhere away from the front door where your dog is safe and relaxed.
Every so often, in an excited tone, give the cue 'let's go see' and encourage your dog to come to that space with you.
When you get to your special place, make it fun. Play with your dog’s favourite Tug-E-Nuff toy or give your dog a lick and relax mat or pot to enjoy.
Keep doing this over a few days to allow your dog time to work out what these wonderful three words mean!
Step 2: Introduce the doorbell sound
You can now add the trigger of the doorbell. Record the sound of your doorbell on your phone so you can start your training away from the front door.
While you’re teaching your dog a new response to the doorbell, pop a note on your front door to knock instead of using the bell - you can take this down once your training’s successful.
Play the doorbell sound - your dog is likely to do their usual thing of barking or running towards the front door. Don’t worry about that - focus on what happens next!
In a happy and excited tone give your dog their ‘let’s go see’ cue and make your way to their special place. Wait for your dog to come and find you. Be patient - they will come.
When they get to you, celebrate with a game with their favourite special toy. And then reward them with a lick and relax mat to help them calm down.
Step 3: Play ding-dong → let’s go see (on repeat)
Keep playing ding-dog → let’s go see several times a day and you should start to see that your dog's response to the doorbell reduces in intensity. Your dog will begin to associate the sound of the doorbell as a cue to rush to their special place to see what special surprise awaits them.
Step 4: Encouraging your dog to stay in their special place
You can now start adding in some duration so your dog is able to remain in their special place - so when your real doorbell rings you can answer it!
Setting up a little routine of things for your dog to enjoy in their special place will help them become comfortable being left alone there.
You might put down a foraging mat, a lick and relax pot, and a chew for them to enjoy. Having a calming plugin in your dog’s special place at all times can help them associate that space with being calm and relaxed.
Begin with short absences so your dog doesn’t get frustrated or distressed being alone in their special place. Close a baby gate or door behind you, wait a moment and then return. When you return to the room, celebrate your dog’s success with a game with their favourite special Tug-E-Nuff toy.
After the barking… comes the leaping!
If your dog adds leaping all over your visitors to the barking frenzy, here’s a bonus game to teach them to keep all 4 paws on the floor!
HOW TO PLAY:
- Grab a pre-filled Clam, our clever treat dispensing Tug-E-Nuff toy that rewards your dog for using their nose to search out treats.
- Have a visitor or helper come in and start with your dog on a lead so you can keep your distance - ask your dog to sit.
- When your dog sits, drop The Clam to the ground and encourage your dog to keep all fours on the paws while they sniff out their reward.
- Keep this game calm, so try not to throw The Clam too fast or too far.
Your goal is to calm your dog down and give them a rewarding activity to focus on that isn’t leaping all over your guests! Rinse and repeat the game, building your dog’s ability to resist temptation to jump up in favour of the reward for keeping their patient paws on the ground.
Thanks to our followers on Facebook who asked for help with doorbell barking. Are you following us?
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