Knock! Knock! Nope, it's not the start of a joke, but the start of Stella scaring the daylights out of whoever's at the door with her less than dainty bark. Whether it's a knock at the door or someone walking by the house, she regularly has us jumping out of our seats with a sudden, and loud bark!

Every dog develops a few bad habits, it’s natural. Whether it’s barking at the postman, chewing your shoes, or leaping on guests, these behaviors can be frustrating. But here’s the good news, you can address them without damaging your bond. In fact, with positive reinforcement training, you’ll not only see better behavior but also build more trust with your dog.

Let’s explore how to correct common issues while keeping your dog happy, confident, and connected to you.

The Foundation: Why Positive Reinforcement Works

Before diving into specific habits, it's important to understand why positive methods are so effective. Positive reinforcement rewards good behavior, encouraging your dog to repeat it. Instead of punishing what’s wrong, you reward what’s right, making training a collaborative experience.

The habit: Barking at the door/window

Dogs bark to communicate, whether it’s out of boredom, excitement, fear, or to alert you to something they perceive as important. It might be a stranger approaching the door, another dog walking past, or even a squirrel making a run for it across the garden. Sometimes, barking stems from excess energy and a lack of stimulation, while other times it's rooted in protective instincts or anxiety. 

The Fix:

1. Create a “calm zone” away from the window.
Use a comfy bed or mat and make it a place where good things happen, treats, toys, praise.

2. Teach an “alternative behavior” (e.g., go to your mat).
Start by teaching your dog to go to their mat on command throughout the day, using treats and praise. Practice daily.

3. Catch the calm before the storm
When your dog sees someone outside but hasn’t barked yet, calmly say, “Good quiet!” or something along those lines (as long as it's consistant) and reward them. Timing is everything.

4. Redirect when barking starts.
As soon as barking begins, say your redirect command (like “mat” or “bed”) in a cheerful voice. When your dog complies, even if mid-bark, reward generously.

5. Reward consistency.
Repeat this daily. Over time, your dog learns that barking doesn’t bring results, but calm behavior brings rewards.

6. Gradually reduce rewards.
Once the habit sticks, switch to intermittent rewards (every few successes) to keep the behavior strong.

Final thoughts

Teaching your dog to stay calm when the doorbell rings or someone knocks takes time, consistency, and a positive approach. By gradually desensitising them to the sound and pairing it with a calm behavior, like going to a mat, you help shift their emotional response from alert and reactive to relaxed and focused. Using recorded sounds, real life practice with a helper, and plenty of rewards for quiet, calm behavior, you can reshape how your dog reacts to door related triggers. With patience and encouragement, your dog can learn that the doorbell isn’t a cue to bark, but a signal to settle and stay composed.