How to stop dog excessive barking

[Cake2]

My dog has always been a barker at doorbells and certain outside noises but usually I could calm her down and she would stop. A month ago I had a baby and more often than not, I’m pinned down feeding a baby and unable to calm her. She is now barking excessively and it is driving me nuts, does anyone have any tips?

Our dog sleeps downstairs and started barking at night. We stopped it by putting a tower fan on overnight in the hallway near where she sleeps and it stopped the night barking straight away. We think she was barking at outside noises which the fan drowns out.

In a nutshell, she barks (most likely) because the doorbell makes her nervous.

Counter condition this by building up a strong association between the doorbell and something she likes. e.g. every time the doorbell goes, you chuck her a treat (have them ready to go at all times). Do it often enough, quick enough and with tasty enough treats and she should start to look for her treat when she hears the bell, not bark.

It'll take tens of repetitions - so be patient.

Any time she has an unpleasant experience with the doorbell (inc you sighing, shouting, ignoring her etc) she is likely to get worse again, so be on the guard for that.