Barking at the doorbell and visitors
Why?
Barking at the doorbell is a very common problem. The doorbell causes anxiety because
it could go at any time, is very unpredictable for your dog, you always jump up when it
happens and anyone could come in or go out. It is difficult to ignore barking so if you
want to stop this then you need to follow a step by step plan.
It is important not to use anything aversive when you dog barks at the doorbell, such as
shouting at the dog, as this will add to their anxiety and could cause them to become
unfriendly towards visitors.
First steps
Step 1: Ensure dog has a bolt hole/safe space set up to retreat to. Make sure they find
this a positive space to be. See workshop 1 factsheets for more ideas on creating this
safe space for the dog.
Step 2: If your dog is able to see out the window to the front door, either remove furniture
that they are using to see out or use blinds etc. to restrict their view if they are able to see
through the window without jumping up on furniture. This will dramatically reduce
barking in general in the home and help them feel more secure as it prevents them
being on constant watch.
Step 3: Work on your ‘on your bed’ (see hand out)
separately outside of the doorbell and visitor
situation. Remember the slots in the brain from
workshop 1, if your dog is already anxious or
excited about the doorbell going, that is not the
time to be training.
Make sure your dog is able to go ‘on your bed’ no matter whatever exciting things are
happening around the home. If you can get your dog to retreat to their bed for a
reward with someone being really exciting with a squeaky toy or are tempting them with
nice treats, you will be able to get your dog to go on their bed when the doorbell goes or
when visitors arrive.
How to stop the barking
In order to stop your dog barking at the door, we must first remove the associated
anxiety with the doorbell, this can be done while you are working on your first steps in
separate training sessions. Remember to keep your sessions short, 2-3 minutes, you can
do several a day. Move through the steps when you can successfully do them without
any barking from your dog.
Step 1: With your dog on the lead, go to the front door, stand outside and ring the
doorbell. Reward your dog for remaining quiet. Perhaps do this every time when you
return from a walk.
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How to stop the barking continued
Step 2: With the door open, again with your dog on the lead open the front door and
ring the doorbell, so the dog can see there is no-one there. Repeat several times,
rewarding your dog for remaining quiet.
Step 3: Begin to slowly close the door so the dog can still see it is you ringing the bell. If
this isn’t possible, enlist a volunteer to ring the bell for you who the dog knows and can still
see through the partially open door. Again reward your dog for not barking.
Step 4: Using a volunteer with the door completely shut, have your dog sat looking at
you, with treats under their nose ready (preferably something like cheese or other high
value reward). The volunteer then rings the doorbell, immediately drop your treats. This
will lead to your dog associating the noise of the doorbell with something nice. This will
remove the anxiety, and if practiced enough, the dog will start to look for food when the
doorbell goes.
Step 5: Repeat Step 4, until the dog is expecting food when they hear the doorbell. Stop
holding the food under their nose but as soon as the doorbell goes, reach into your treat
bag and throw a handful on the floor. This will reduce the dependency of the dog
actually having to see the food when the doorbell goes in order not to bark.
Step 6: Using your volunteer, get them ringing the bell with you in different parts of the
house, while you are sat on the sofa or in the kitchen etc. As soon as the bell goes,
instead of going to the door, go to their treats and immediately place them in their bolt
hole if they have remained quiet, then go to the door to let the volunteer in. Again, if this
is practiced enough, the door bell will trigger them going towards their bed, ready for
their reward. Practice greeting your volunteer like you would a real visitor.
Step 7: When you start to practice this in real situations, when you know visitors are
coming, use a very high value pre-prepared KONG to be put in their bolt hole. This will
keep them settled while you let your visitors in.
End all your training sessions with the ‘jackpot’ to ensure your dog knows the session has
finished, otherwise they may continue to follow you around for treats.
Visitors
A sign on your front door for visitors may be helpful to let them know you are currently
training the dog not to bark and will be there as soon as possible. Or in the short term,
pre-warning visitors that you may be some time answering the door and not to give the
dog attention when they first come in. If you can make the process very consistent for
the dog then this reduces excitement levels and the accompanied barking.
Before letting your dog out to greet everyone, have your high value treats ready under
their nose and get their attention, drop treats as you go to help keep them focussed on
you and to break the habit of them dashing straight in to see visitors. You may find it
helpful to clip your dog on the lead and bring them into the room; allow the dog to
approach people on their own, rather than people approach them. Remember that
being on the lead restricts flight so you must ensure your dog is comfortable and is not
forced to approach anyone. If they are over-excited, coax them away with a treat and
encourage them to come and sit next to you.
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Visiting children
If there are children arriving that are likely to want to interact with the dog, keeping the
dog in their bolt hole until children are engaged in their own activities before letting the
dog out is advisable. Remember that the dog won’t have a relationship with visiting
children, be extra cautious, your dog must have free access to their bolt hole and must
not followed in there. Keep an eye out for any signs of the four ‘Fs’, referring to workshop
2 content. Visiting adults may also not be aware of dog body language, so although
they may be keeping an eye on children and dogs, they won’t be as good as you at
spotting any signs that the dog is worried.
If your dog is nervous, it is best that they remain in their bolt hole and not be approached
while they get used to people being in their home. If visiting children are nervous,
separating areas using baby gates can be helpful to make sure children feel safe. Dogs
can be given a long lasting chew or KONG to make sure they are settled in their bolt
hole.
What if the dog still barks at the doorbell?
If your dog is still barking at the doorbell, a more in depth behavioural plan or additional
one to one help from a recommended trainer or behaviourist will be required. Dogs that
are very nervous of the doorbell and visitors will need more help with overcoming their
anxiety.
Please contact the PAWS team for further support.
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