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      Placework Doorbell

      Placework doorbell is a training behavior that teaches your dog to stay in a specific spot, such as a mat or bed, when the doorbell rings.

      Placework doorbell

      Doorbell

      Introduction

      Placework doorbell is a training behavior that teaches your dog to stay in a specific spot, such as a mat or bed, when the doorbell rings. It is a valuable skill for dogs to learn, as it can help them to stay calm and focused in a variety of situations, such as when you have visitors.

      This lesson will build on the previous placework lessons, such as placework intro and placework duration. It is important that your dog is already able to stay in place for a short period of time before you start this lesson.

      Things you may need:

      • A quiet place to start training
      • A leash
      • A treat pouch
      • Your dog's favorite treats
      • A doorbell (or something that makes a similar sound)

      Relation Lessons:

      • Placework Intro
      • Placework Duration
      • Send to Place

      Common Misconceptions

      Some common misconceptions about placework doorbell include:

      • You need to start with a loud doorbell. This is not the case. It is better to start with a soft doorbell and gradually increase the volume over time.
      • You need to punish your dog if they get up when the doorbell rings. This is not necessary. Positive reinforcement is the most effective way to train placework doorbell.
      • Your dog will never be able to learn to stay in place when the doorbell rings. This is not true. With patience and consistency, most dogs can learn to stay in place when the doorbell rings.

      Steps to Address

      Teaching Phase

      1. Stand close to a cot with your dog by your side and play a doorbell sound.
      2. When your dog hears the sound, cue the "place" command.
      3. Allow your dog as much assistance as they require to complete the task effectively. This may include physically guiding them to the cot, or using a treat lure.
      4. Mark and reward once they successfully complete the behavior.
      5. Repeat steps 1-4 until your dog is consistently able to go to their place when you cue them, even with a little assistance.

      Reinforcing Phase

      1. Once your dog is consistently able to go to their place when you cue them, start to gradually reduce the amount of assistance you give them.
      2. For example, you can start by only guiding them to the cot with your hand. Then, you can start standing further away from the cot when you cue them.
      3. Continue to mark and reward your dog for successfully completing the behavior.
      4. Repeat steps 1-3 until your dog is able to go to their place without any assistance.

      Proofing Phase

      1. Once your dog is able to go to their place without any assistance, start to introduce distractions.
      2. For example, you could ring the doorbell while your dog is playing with a toy, or while there are other people or animals in the room.
      3. Continue to mark and reward your dog for successfully completing the behavior, even with distractions present.
      4. Gradually increase the level of distractions over time.

      Maintenance Phase

      1. Once your dog is able to go to their place with distractions present, start to practice placework doorbell in a variety of situations.
      2. For example, you could practice it at different times of day, in different rooms of the house, and with different people around.
      3. Continue to mark and reward your dog for successfully completing the behavior, even in new situations.
      4. Gradually reduce the amount of treats you give your dog, but continue to mark and praise the behavior.
      5. Apply corrections if the dog does not respond appropriately after one command.

      Case Studies

      • Buddy was a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever who was very excited by the doorbell. He would bark and jump up when someone rang the doorbell, which made it difficult for his owners to answer the door. His owners started by teaching Buddy to associate the doorbell sound with something positive, such as a treat. Once Buddy was excited about the doorbell ring, they started to introduce the placework cue. With patience and consistency, Buddy was eventually able to stay in place when the doorbell rang, even in the presence of distractions.
      • Lola was a 1-year-old Golden Retriever who was very distracted by other dogs. She would bark and pull at the leash whenever she saw another dog, which made it difficult for her owners to walk her. Her owners started by teaching Lola to stay in place on a mat in a quiet room. Once Lola was able to stay in place for a short period of time, they started to introduce other dogs to the training environment. With patience and consistency, Lola was eventually able to stay in place when she saw other dogs, even without a leash.

      Pet Parent Coaching Tips

      • Be patient and consistent. It takes time and practice for dogs to learn new behaviors.
      • Use positive reinforcement. Reward your dog for staying in place with treats, praise, or petting.
      • Don't punish your dog for getting up. This will only make the problem worse.
      • Start with short training sessions and gradually increase the duration over time.
      • Make sure your dog is comfortable in the training environment. If they are feeling anxious or stressed, they will be more likely to get up.
      • Use distractions gradually. Start by training in a quiet environment and then gradually introduce distractions, such as other people or animals.

      Conclusion

      Placework doorbell is a valuable skill for dogs to learn. It can help them to stay calm and focused in a variety of situations, such as when you have visitors. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can teach your dog to stay in place when the doorbell rings, even in the presence of distractions.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Q: What if my dog doesn't like the doorbell?
        A: If your dog doesn't like the doorbell, you can try desensitizing them to the sound. Start by playing a recording of the doorbell sound at a low volume and gradually increase the volume over time. Reward your dog for staying calm when they hear the sound.
      • Q: What if my dog gets up before the duration is over?
        A: If your dog gets up before the duration is over, simply redirect them back to their place and start the session again. Do not punish your dog.
      • Q: What if my dog is too distracted?
        A: If your dog is too distracted, you can try training in a quieter environment or by using less distracting stimuli. Gradually introduce distractions over time.