Ding dong! Almost every dog owner is familiar with this problem: Dogs start barking as soon as there is a ring or a knock on the front door. While barking obviously doesn’t hurt anyone, it’s annoying and disruptive and can cause quite a bit of stress. What is the reason your dog barks when the doorbell rings? And what can you do to calm him down? With the following tips you can calm your four-legged friend when the doorbell rings.
Why do dogs bark when the doorbell rings?
Dogs are not only curious, but above all very clever. You quickly realize what the sound of the doorbell means. But then why are they barking? For various reasons. The moment the bell rings, the animal knows that someone is at the door. «Warning, intruders!» – The animal instinctively wants to protect its owner. We often confuse barking with aggression, but even a well-socialized dog will bark when the doorbell rings. Dogs are particularly curious and want to know who is coming to visit. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that, but after a few barks, we got the message. Would you like to stop your dog from barking as soon as the doorbell rings? We have some practical tips ready for you.
Stop barking when the doorbell rings
When the doorbell rings and your four-legged friend starts barking, you shouldn’t grab his collar and shout loudly with him. This intensifies his barking. A dog needs clear leadership. So keep calm when someone is at the door. Especially if your «guard dog» doesn’t know what to do now, you can teach the animal how to behave when the doorbell rings. To do this, teach your dog the “down” command – he should go to his own fixed spot, preferably not near the front door. Practice this command without the doorbell ringing first, so the dog understands what you’re asking them to do. If the animal obeys your command, don’t forget the reward.
‘On your seat!’
You can train well with this command. Have a family member ring the doorbell while you remain in place next to the dog. Do not open the door when the bell rings, but give the animal the command. Bring your curious four-legged friend to the front door and repeat the command until the animal sits quietly in its place again. Step by step you can now open the door yourself without your dog barking when the bell rings. It takes some time, but the end result pays off and ensures a relaxed togetherness.
The dog barks when the bell rings: a new bell
Despite your best efforts, your dog isn’t learning not to bark when the doorbell rings? Then replacing the doorbell can help. The dog is unfamiliar with the new sound, so this gives you the opportunity to teach him something new. Does your dog not take the command or is it aggressive? A behavioral therapist can help change your dog’s behavior.