Barking at the door

[maxfox426]

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!

 

[BullMastiffMama]

What about flooding? That would likely be what I tried first. Some people treat at the bell or knock attempting a different association.... but I'm certain that wouldn't be effective with my dog, so I have never tried it.

 

[lisabobisa]

Something I've done is during long downs with the pups I'll knock on the wall behind my back or actually open the door and ring the doorbell. Then try to "good!" and treat quickly before they can bark. Of course at first they still barked but soon realized that nothing was happening (no one came through the door). Now, just doing that they do still bark at the door some but not nearly as much. They do know there's a difference in when I open the door and ring the bell myself and when it's happening without my help. But like I said, it did cut it down some and they seem to find it less exciting.

It might help and still definitely work on the other advice you've gotten.

 

[Lolas Dad]

How close is Morgan to the door while this is going on and how close is she when you actually open the door?

When going for walks is Morgan out the door first or are you out the door first with her following? When Morgan comes back in from a walk is Morgan in first or are you in first?

 

[maxfox426]

Thank you everybody for the suggestions.

Lola's Dad, it doesn't matter where Morgan is in the house when the bell rings, he starts barking and running at the door. When he sits and waits for guests to enter, he stays just next to or behind me. That's why I think I'm going to try the "place" command... to locate him someplace further away from the door when the bell rings or someone knocks.

As for walks, Morgan is always the last one through the door. In fact, he's not allowed through the door at all without a release command, and he is very good about it.

 

[englishsp]

I'm just curious what kind of door you have? I have a full plate glass front door. When my dog decided to bark at everything/nothing outside, I taped a big piece of paper over the bottom half for a month to break the cycle. He got off that kick, I took the paper off, and when people come to the door now he looks quietly and wags his tail.

 

[Izzy's Valkyrie]

Izzy, the dog who never barks in the house, was barking at the glass sliding patio door last night. I checked, there was nothing and no one out there but I was pretty spooked since she never growls or barks in the house.

I have the opposite problem, my dog NEVER barks at the door when someone knocks

 

[maxfox426]

I'm just curious what kind of door you have? I have a full plate glass front door. When my dog decided to bark at everything/nothing outside, I taped a big piece of paper over the bottom half for a month to break the cycle. He got off that kick, I took the paper off, and when people come to the door now he looks quietly and wags his tail.

Our door is a solid one, but he can see people coming through the front window, so maybe I will try something with that? I think it's the knock or the bell that really sets him off, but breaking the cycle in any way is a good idea.

Izzy, the dog who never barks in the house, was barking at the glass sliding patio door last night. I checked, there was nothing and no one out there but I was pretty spooked since she never growls or barks in the house.

I have the opposite problem, my dog NEVER barks at the door when someone knocks

Morgan also likes to "wuff" at nothing out the window... At least in that scenario he will stop when I tell him "that's enough!".