How to Train Dog Not to Bark at Visitors

Your dog barks because he instinctively feels he is protecting his territory and his pack (you included). Barking is actually a good thing; it means your dog views himself as a vital member of your family, and he's looking out for you. Visitors are people outside the pack, and he's letting you know that someone strange is trying to disturb the natural order of the pack. Some dogs are persistent barkers, though, and don't just stop at one or two barks but instead let the visitor have it with a barrage of barking. This can be unsettling for the visitor, and annoying to you, the owner. Ideally, you'd like a dog who will let you know someone's at the door, and then greet them gently and go somewhere else and be a normal dog. This can be achieved with a little practice, some consistent training on your part and some treats as incentive.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog treats

How to Train a Dog Not to Bark at Visitors

1. The hardest part of training your dog with visitors is getting enough visitors to help you with this routine and consistently training the dog each time a visitor comes to the door. You need to repeat it as often as you can to help your dog learn the new behavior you'd like to exhibit. It helps if you set up some treats near the door to help during the training period.

2. When a visitor comes to the door, have a treat in your hand. Let the dog bark a few times. Do not tell the dog "no." Praise the dog for barking, "Good boy."

3. Immediately, say "Quiet" and show him the treat. As soon as he's quiet, give him the treat and praise him.

4. If he barks again, say "Good boy," and then say "Quiet." When he's quiet--the moment he stops barking, and focuses on you--give him the treat and praise him.

5. Practice by giving him a few seconds after you say "Quiet" of his being quiet before you give him a treat. Gradually let more moments of quiet happen before you give him the treat. He'll learn to bark a few times, be quiet, and if he waits long enough quietly, you'll reward him.

6. To reinforce the idea that visitors are a happy thing, leave a box of treats by the door. When visitors come in, have them toss a treat out to the dog. He'll slowly come to associate door opening with treat time, and the anxiety barking will be replaced with a more peaceful rush to the door.

Tips & Warnings

• The more tasty the treat, the more the dog looks forward to training sessions and the quicker he learns.