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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Dog barking when people come to the door

31 replies

BobLoblaw · 19/05/2011 07:39

Penny is 2(ish) she is very well behaved when we are out of the house, her recall, drop and stay are very good and she will ignore other dogs/people. But when we are at home as soon as anyone comes up the path she barks and runs to the door, if I see them first I can get her to stay on the sofa and she just grumbles but if she notices first it's too late to stop her. As soon as the door is open she lies on her back at their feet but she sounds very vicious when she's barking. I'm not sure how to train her not to behave this way, atm Oscar just sits looking at her but i'm worried he will start doing the same. TIA :)

OP posts:

Spamspamspam · 19/05/2011 12:58

I would be interested in this too. My 11 week old puppy is barking if someone comes to the door, whilst in the garden or in the house. I am not sure if she is too early to start training?

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 19/05/2011 14:47

She sounds perfect to me, I always expect my dogs to alert me to somebody at the door, but to stop on request.

What is it about the barking you object to?

jaffacake79 · 19/05/2011 14:50

I love the fact my dog does this. He sounds loud and looks big and the people don't know he's an utter softy. Certainly helps getting rid of the unwelcome people peddling their wares!
He does however stop on command. Is that what you object to? That he won't stop?

MadamDeathstare · 19/05/2011 14:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BarbaraBar · 19/05/2011 14:53

I also love the fact my dog does this.

She has a very loud bark and we have a very big echoey hall so she's an excellent deterrent.

I wish she would do as your dog does OP and lie on her back when the door is open - she rushes off to get a shoe and drops it at the visitor's feet!

DooinMeCleanin · 19/05/2011 15:02

Devil Dog runs to the door growling loudly whenever anyone knocks. I like it. It makes me feel safe. I just hope no-one figures out he is all growl and no bite

Of course when it's me at the door because I have locked myself out again and everyone is upstairs/in the kitchen/can't hear me, he stands in the window wagging his tail at me, despite me pleading "Bark you idiot dog, bark damn it"

chickchickchicken · 19/05/2011 16:04

mine bark as well. when crime prevention officer came a few years ago the first thing he said was that we didnt need his help as we had the best deterrent- a barking dog

DooinMeCleanin · 19/05/2011 16:16

Yes, a crime prevention officer told me Burglers are far more afraid of a barking dog than a burglar alarm not because the dog might bite, but because arsey neighbours are likely to roll their eyes and ignore an alarm, but a barking will have them on the phone to the Council/Police and peering over the wall for a whinge quicker that you can say 'Crimewatch'

chickchickchicken · 19/05/2011 16:26

at crimewatch

Original poster

BobLoblaw · 19/05/2011 16:57

We have lots of people visit dd, physios, ots etc and I always thought it seemed a bit intimidating. She is fine when people come in, if a bit too friendly. I shall not worry too much it does make me feel better when DP is away too, even if she does crawl on her tummy to the end of the hall to bark if it's dark!

Thank you

OP posts:

BitOfFun · 19/05/2011 17:00

I have this too- which is great, as every doorbell I have ever bought has been cursed and breaks within days.

ellangirl · 19/05/2011 17:25

In order to teach the dog to stop barking on command, you need to teach it to speak on command first. That was they can sort of understand what it means to be quiet. Not that my dog listens to me . I find that thanking her for letting me know and telling her she's a good dog helps her to relax, like she's done her job well. She is an anxious dog so she's barking at the door out of fear.

chickchickchicken · 19/05/2011 17:44

bob - if it helps to reassure you we have regular health professionals visit us on an almost weekly basis. i think they are used to dogs. even have the phlebotomist (sp?) taking blood when dogs are trying to play!

jaffacake79 · 19/05/2011 18:53

ellangirl's right, for them to understand "quiet" they first have to understand "speak".
Of course, then you can teach them "sing" (howling on a particular note), "please" (small flap of chops in a quiet way), "talk" (flaps chops repeatedly) I obviously spend far too much time faffing around with our dog!

DaisySteiner · 19/05/2011 19:38

jaffacake - pleeeease tell me how to get a dog to do all those things!! I could do with a fun project.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 19/05/2011 19:44

I'm another one withbarking dogs- only I have beagles and they bay- loudly!!!

I don't deter them, because, as others have said, I am happy to have strangers think that I have two noisy hounds who will alert us to any presence. DH is in the navy, and often away, so it makes me feel secure to know that the dogs will keep watch.

A good few years ago, we had a neighbour complain about our dogs barking through the catflap, so we boarded up the catflap. A few weeks later, the hounds were howling, so I went down, put lights on, told dogs to be quiet. Found out next morning that complaining neighbour's car had been broken into. Ours was untouched Pity he didn't hear the dogs ....

jaffacake79 · 19/05/2011 19:59

Food! My dog is VERY food oriented
Get them to understand speak first. (You may need to woof!), when they woof repeat the command afterwards and give them a treat, then start using the command and praising and treating straight away.
Singing, well I just was messing about to some song that came on with my dd, pretend howling to the high notes and the dog joined in thinking it was a game, so I gave him the command sing, praised him and then just repeated it over and over, singing this one note and treating him when he copied me.
Same with please, it's like a quiet speak - when they understand speak and shhh! then command speak again he just does a little funny huff, not quite a bark but it makes his chops flap out.

There are probably much better tutorials on youtube or similar! It's just getting praise and treats for doing something that makes their owner happy :)

swallowedAfly · 19/05/2011 20:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ellangirl · 19/05/2011 20:18

Look for ian dunbar on youtube- you can see him teaching a dog to speak by knocking on a door. Sounds like that would be the trigger for yours to learn...

DaisySteiner · 19/05/2011 20:19

Thanks jaffacake, will give it a try

ellangirl · 19/05/2011 20:21

sorry that would work for bobs dog, but for swallowedafly's dog maybe try holding a toy above her head and teasing a bit while saying 'speak'- that might get her excited enough to bark. As soon as she does, give her a treat. You might want to teach 'speak' to mean 2 barks as it makes it clear what they're doing.

swallowedAfly · 19/05/2011 20:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ellangirl · 19/05/2011 21:09

What breed is she swallowed? I recommend anyone try agility- traditionally collies of course but loads of breeds do it. It's a lot of fun, for the dog and you! Can't do it properly until 12 months though.

swallowedAfly · 19/05/2011 21:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ellangirl · 19/05/2011 21:42

She sounds very well trained already! She obviously enjoys being kept busy so she's lucky to have an owner who is prepared to do all those new things with her

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