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      Knocking/Doorbell

      How to teach your dog to maintain positive reaction during a doorbell or when someone is knocking at the door.

      Introduction

      Barking, growling, or charging the door when a dog hears knocking or the doorbell is a common behavior problem. This can be a nuisance for dog owners, as it can be disruptive and even dangerous. It can also be a sign of aggression or territoriality.

      There are a number of things that dog owners can do to address this behavior. One important step is to desensitize the dog to knocking and the doorbell. This means gradually exposing the dog to the sound of knocking and the doorbell in a controlled environment, and rewarding them for not reacting.

      Another important step is to teach the dog a "quiet" or "place" command. This will give the dog an alternative behavior to barking or growling when they hear knocking or the doorbell.

      Steps to Address

      Teaching Phase

      • Start with your dog's attention. Get your dog's attention by calling their name, using a treat, or by making a noise that they like.
      • Lightly tap on the door or ring the doorbell. If your dog does not react, mark and reward them with a treat or praise.
      • Repeat this process several times, gradually increasing the volume of the knock or doorbell ring. If your dog starts to react, stop the training session and try again later.

      Reinforcing Phase

      • Once your dog is consistently not reacting to the knock or doorbell ring at a low volume, you can start to variably reward them. This means that you don't always have to give them a treat or praise when they do the right thing. Sometimes, you can just say "good boy/girl" and continue with the training session.
      • You can also start to add a correction if your dog barks, growls, or charges the door. A correction can be a simple "no" or a tap on the nose. It is important to be consistent with the correction, so that your dog knows what they are doing wrong.

      Proofing Phase

      • Once your dog is reliably not reacting to the knock or doorbell ring in a quiet environment, you can start to proof the behavior in more distracting environments. For example, you can try practicing in a different room, with other people or animals around, or with more exciting toys.
      • Gradually add distance and duration as your dog masters the command in increasingly distracting environments.

      Maintenance Phase

      • Once your dog is reliably not reacting to knocking or the doorbell ring in a variety of situations, it is important to continue practicing the command regularly to maintain it. You can practice the command in every training session and as often as possible. Your dog should be able to remain calm and quiet when they hear knocking or the doorbell ring, even if they are excited or distracted.

      Case Studies

      Here are a few case studies of dogs who were successfully trained to not bark or react to knocking or the doorbell:

      • Case Study 1: A 2-year-old Labrador Retriever named Max was barking and growling at the door whenever someone knocked or rang the doorbell. His owner, Sarah, started by desensitizing Max to the sound of knocking and the doorbell. She would lightly knock on the door or ring the doorbell and then immediately give Max a treat. Over time, Max started to associate the sound of knocking and the doorbell with good things, and he stopped barking and growling.
      • Case Study 2: A 7-year-old Beagle named Charlie was charging the door whenever someone knocked or rang the doorbell. His owner, John, started by teaching Charlie the "place" command. He would give Charlie a treat for going to his bed when he heard knocking or the doorbell. Over time, Charlie learned that he was rewarded for going to his bed when he heard knocking or the doorbell, and he stopped charging the door.
      • Case Study 3: A 1-year-old German Shepherd named Rex was barking and jumping up at the door whenever someone knocked or rang the doorbell. His owner, Mary, started by teaching Rex the "quiet" command. She would say "quiet" whenever Rex started to bark at the door, and then she would give him a treat for being quiet. Over time, Rex learned that he was rewarded for being quiet when he heard knocking or the doorbell, and he stopped barking and jumping up at the door.

      Pet Parent Coaching Tips

      • Be patient and consistent: Training a dog takes time and patience. Don't get discouraged if your dog doesn't progress as quickly as you'd like. 

      • Seek professional help: If you're struggling to address your dog's knocking and doorbell behavior on your own, consult with a qualified dog trainer or behaviorist.

      Conclusion

      Excessive knocking and doorbell behavior in dogs can be managed with a combination of training, management, and environmental enrichment. By addressing the underlying causes of the behavior and providing your dog with the appropriate training and support, you can help them learn to respond calmly to doorbell sounds and visitors.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Q: Why does my dog knock on the door?

        A: Dogs may knock on the door due to anxiety, excitement, boredom, or a desire for attention.

      • Q: How can I stop my dog from knocking on the door?

        A: Use a combination of desensitization and counterconditioning, ignoring the behavior, providing adequate exercise and enrichment, and management strategies.

      • Q: What can I do about my dog's excessive barking at the doorbell?

        A: Desensitize your dog to the doorbell sound, ignore the barking, and consider using a white noise machine to block out the sound.