our dog barks when people come into the house....

[loveyouradvice]

.... it's definitely Im so pleased to see you, give me some attention sort of barking. And it's annoying....

Pre pandemic he didnt do this - for various health reasons we've been unable to be consistent in training him since.

Our approach has been for guests to ignore him (doesnt work, still barks) or to give him an alternate command, such as to sit and wait.

What do you recommend would work best? Hopefully we can be consistent now. He's a dachshund and has been relatively trainable on other things - good recall, waiting for food, happy in car solo when we leave him while shopping....

Mine does this too. I put his lead on and he calms down immediately. Obvs more training is required for when I have company (which is rare lol) but this works in the meantime.

That's not something I've thought of ... good idea, clear signal ... I'll try it

it's almost like being tethered reassures him.

very interesting... Ill let you know how I get on

Anyone else have experience or ideas to contribute?

I would get in touch with a positive reinforcement dog trainer. They’ll teach your dog how to go to his ‘place’ (could be vet bed, crate or bed) and wait, using high value treats. Once he knows where to go and will sit and wait, they will help train him to associate the doorbell with going to his place to wait for his reward.
it takes time and effort but well worth teaching your dog that to sit and wait gets rewards. Jumping around like a barking bonkers dog doesn’t 🤣

Great advice @RunningJo ... Im going to try the lead first and then this, if the lead is not enough

Any updates OP?

When people come and he barks, move him into another room. Let him back in as soon as he is quiet.

Guests this evening - going to try the lead... I've been ill so no opportunity earlier.... fingers crossed

SUCCESS!!!!!!!

Putting him on the lead worked... twice!

Fingers crossed it is this easy....

Now training husband to do it too.... this might be the hard part!

lead also works for me, she goes to sit on her bed and is angelic. No idea why this works

This is brilliant to hear and its not just my weird dog lol!!
I think it has an automatic calming influence on them because they associate the lead as an activity that is used for when they spend time with you. So you are not going anywhere, or leaving them. So happy this worked for you.

I agree re the automatic calming - and it also meant I could keep him half behind me, which I think added to the calming. My guess is his barking is just overexcitement and overstimulation...

Oh yeah my dog goes wild with excitement when I have visitors lol 😂