Is your canine companion turning your home into a symphony of barks every time someone knocks? Fear not, for behind every bark is a reason, and with the right training, you can transform your furry friend into a doorbell diplomat. In this guide, we'll explore the art of calming canine chaos and turning those incessant barks into moments of peace and tranquility.
Let’s look at a common barking occurrence – someone knocking on the front door. In this instance, our dog alerts us of someone being on the property/ at the door. Although our dogs are doing their job, we don't want continuous barking and must encourage them to be calm and relaxed.
1. Meeting Needs Before Greets: Ensure your pup's checklist is ticked—food, enrichment, play, exercise, toilet breaks, and a bit of shut-eye. A satisfied dog is a more receptive learner.
2. 'Thank You' Bark-et: When the barking symphony commences, offer a polite 'thank you.' This acknowledges their alert of someone at the door. This also tells the dog ‘’thank you for alerting me, I will take it from here".
3. Treats for Tranquility: Move your dog to a spot near the door and reward moments of silence with treats. This positively reinforces the behavior we want, and by using treats and rewarding them when they are quiet and patiently waiting lets the dog know they will be rewarded when they are quiet.
4. Timing is Key: Patience is a virtue, we must always reward the silence and not barking. We want to wait until they are calm and quiet before we open that door. If you are worried about keeping guests waiting outside, let them know you are training your dog and unable to open the door until they are calm. Even if you stick a sticky note on your front door letting visitors know!
5. Guest Guidance: Your visitors can play a crucial role in maintaining the peace. Encourage them to echo your training efforts, waiting for the calm before engaging with your pup. When the dog is calm, it's time to engage and reward!
Turning your doorbell into a trigger for tranquility is an achievable feat with the right approach. Remember, a calm canine is a happy one, and with a bit of training, your dog can be the picture of poise even when the doorbell rings. So, let's bid adieu to the doorbell drama and embrace the serenity that comes with a well-behaved, barking-free best friend.
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