So, this came up in chat, and while I got some really awesome advice in there, it never hurts to post, right?
In the last few months, Morgan has decided that it's WAY COOL to bark at the door when someone knocks or rings the bell. He will jump up from where ever he is, run to the door, run to me, run to the door, run to me, run to the door, all while sounding off with "OMIGOSH DID YOU HEAR THAT SOMEBODY IS HERE SOMEBODY IS AT THE DOOR OMIGOSH OMIGOSH YAYYYYYYY!"
In all other occasions that inspire barking, a simple command of "that's enough" is all he needs to get the picture and stop. The door, however, seems to be an exception to the rule.
From day one he has been taught to sit and wait patiently for a release before he is allowed to greet any guests that come into our house. And he will follow that command, after all the barking.
Also, if see somebody coming up the walk and get to the door first, before the person outside can knock or ring the bell, he doesn't bark.
As much as I can, I won't open the door until he's quiet and sitting down. Most of the time this is fine, as in most case the people at the door are friends that know the drill and are okay with waiting an extra moment while the dog calms down. If I know a stranger is coming, like pizza delivery, we pretty much just put Morgan in his crate before they arrive.
Like I mentioned, Morgan has started this behavior relatively recently, and I have yet to figure out what the trigger was or is. Every once in a while he will only wuff at the door, rather than barking like an idiot. However, the barking is far more common, and I have no idea what the difference is when he doesn't bark.
It was suggested in chat that I restructure his "sit and wait" behavior into a "place" command, where he has a set area away from the door that he must go to and stay when people are at the door. I am going to try that out, and hopefully that will redirect him. However, other suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!
I really don't mind a few quiet wuffs here and there, but the overjoyed, obscenely excited barking is a bit unnecessary.
Thanks!
In the last few months, Morgan has decided that it's WAY COOL to bark at the door when someone knocks or rings the bell. He will jump up from where ever he is, run to the door, run to me, run to the door, run to me, run to the door, all while sounding off with "OMIGOSH DID YOU HEAR THAT SOMEBODY IS HERE SOMEBODY IS AT THE DOOR OMIGOSH OMIGOSH YAYYYYYYY!"
In all other occasions that inspire barking, a simple command of "that's enough" is all he needs to get the picture and stop. The door, however, seems to be an exception to the rule.
From day one he has been taught to sit and wait patiently for a release before he is allowed to greet any guests that come into our house. And he will follow that command, after all the barking.
Also, if see somebody coming up the walk and get to the door first, before the person outside can knock or ring the bell, he doesn't bark.
As much as I can, I won't open the door until he's quiet and sitting down. Most of the time this is fine, as in most case the people at the door are friends that know the drill and are okay with waiting an extra moment while the dog calms down. If I know a stranger is coming, like pizza delivery, we pretty much just put Morgan in his crate before they arrive.
Like I mentioned, Morgan has started this behavior relatively recently, and I have yet to figure out what the trigger was or is. Every once in a while he will only wuff at the door, rather than barking like an idiot. However, the barking is far more common, and I have no idea what the difference is when he doesn't bark.
It was suggested in chat that I restructure his "sit and wait" behavior into a "place" command, where he has a set area away from the door that he must go to and stay when people are at the door. I am going to try that out, and hopefully that will redirect him. However, other suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!
I really don't mind a few quiet wuffs here and there, but the overjoyed, obscenely excited barking is a bit unnecessary.
Thanks!