Dog experts give top tip for training pet to stop barking at doorbell

Every dog owner, at some point or other, heard their bark after the doorbell rings. It's a common occurrence, with many dogs associating the sound of the bell with either an intruder, if they're territorial and protective, or an exciting new friend to play with, if they're not.

However, the noise of a dog going wild behind the door can be irritating for its owners and potentially intimidating for visitors.

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton and Danny Wells, authors of the new dog psychology guide What Your Dog is Thinking: The Science Behind Your Dog's Behaviour and How to Improve It, have offered some useful advice on how to curb this understandable, but somewhat annoying habit.

If you're a multi-dog household, they explain, the task can be quite daunting. It's advisable to train them separately.

They suggest having someone take your other dog for a walk while you train your pups individually. The key is to begin with two straightforward commands: "Speak" and "quiet."

All that's required is a steady supply of small treats that you know your dog likes. Simply say "quiet" and then give a treat during any breaks in the barking.

Similarly, teach the dog to link the word "speak" with barking - and receiving another treat.

They clarify: "Once you're confident that your dog clearly understands both 'speak' and 'quiet', you can introduce a trigger that sets your dog off barking."

You can either enlist the help of a friend or family member to ring your doorbell from outside, or if you prefer, invest in an inexpensive battery-operated doorbell that emits a sound similar to your actual bell.

Alternatively, use your smartphone's voice note feature to record and play back the sound.

The authors offer a crucial piece of advice: "You want to avoid someone ringing your doorbell when you are partway through, so make sure you're not expecting guests or a delivery."

The process then requires patience and consistent repetition, rewarding the dog each time it ceases barking with a "quiet" command followed by a treat, while also teaching it to bark on the "speak" command for another reward.

To keep things under control, they suggest putting the dog on a lead to prevent excessive excitement and running about: "Once your dog has this down to a tee," they continue, "you can take off the lead and carry on rewarding it for obeying the quiet command during barking episodes.

"Dogs are like people in the sense that what works for one doesn't necessarily work for all," remark Danny and Sabrina, indicating the need to tailor the training method to your dog's individual needs.

Finally, if you have more than one dog and the other has been enjoying regular walks while you've been training one, it's time to switch roles and let your now well-trained dog enjoy some walks while you focus on training the second one.