how do I get my dogs to stop barking when someone knocks on the door?

Answer 1

Training your dog to bark on command has another hidden feature - you can also train her to stop barking on command.
Instructions
STEP 1: Hold a particular toy, such as a ball or squeak toy that causes your dog to bark. Give the command BARK or SPEAK. STEP 2: When your dog barks say, GOOD. STEP 3: Give him the toy or food as a reward and praise him. STEP 4: Repeat steps 1 through 3 until your dog understands the command to bark. STEP 5: When your dog understands the command, command him to bark. STEP 6: After three barks say, QUIET or SILENCE or any other word(s) to command him not to bark. Praise and reward him with the toy. STEP 7: Repeat steps 5 and 6 until he understands the command. STEP 8: Instead of using a toy, have someone knock on the door and repeat steps 2 through 7, rewarding him with praise and affection when he succeeds. Tips & Warnings
Give unlimited praise when dog succeeds, every step of the way.

http://www.ehow.com/how_14237_train-dog-bark.html

Answer 2

Two things are most effective. First get a can and fill it with about 8-10 pennies. When the dog barks when you don't want him/her to then drop the can on the floor. Be sure that the dog doesn't see you do this. Second, in stubborn cases a shock collar may need to be deployed. These collars are safe and don't involve large voltages. When the dog barks simply hit the remote for a second and the dog will feel the tingle and stop. Over time either of these will stop or decrease the barking. Additionally, if the dog has a least favorite thing such as being banned from the room try doing that when the dog barks. If that doesn't work try the other suggestions.

Answer 3

The answer is simple, but the owner has to dedicate themselves to applying it. All dogs are Territorial, and the behavior of your dog is prized with some people. So first take your dog for a long walk at least 45 minutes. Make sure your leading your dog and he is not leading you. Then leave the coll-er and leash on with the help of another person have them knock or ring the bell. calmly and I mean calmly, go to the dog grab the leash bring your dog back about 10 feet. Look at the dog not saying anything just put your hand up. Open the door and glancing back if the dog moves, move him back to the starting position again.Continue this until hes corrected.Why no sound when doing this, because excitement in the owner will only lead to more excitement in the dog.

Answer 4

Find a friend to help with this exercise. Have them go outside and wait. Position yourself near the door and have your friend knock. When the dogs start barking get between them and the door and "Bite" them with your hand. Calmly and Assertively move forward making them retreat and showing them that you have control of the situation. Make sure they are calm before you open the door and let your friend in. Greet them like you would regularly then let the dogs introduce themselves.
Do the exercise several times until the dogs understand .

Answer 5

Barking is the nature of the beast and I really don't think you will get her/him to stop barking. Try thinking about her barking in a positive light. Be proud... She is alerting you that someone is at the door. And at the same time, she is telling the person on the other side of the door, she is there. It is a good protection strategy without doing any harm except the barking annoyance.

Answer 6

I would think you would want them to bark when someone knocks!

Dogs take great pride in protecting their people. Barking when someone knocks is their way of letting you know that possible danger could be on the other side of the door!

Answer 7

Ole Charlie has a good idea that is effective. Also the idea of giving a treat to your pooches will help. It is unlikely that you would want them to completely ignore a knock at the door. Maybe a bark and then if you say "cool it" followed by a treat would be the cure. Work with them in a positive manner with the treats and the can with pennies and you should see improvements.

Answer 8

It is natural for a dog to bark when someone comes to the door. They are just protecting their territory. There isnt really a way to make them stop barking.

Answer 9

It's a dominance issue. Yes most dogs will bark when someone knocks on the door, but, I can tell my dog to stop, AND HE WILL, on command. If the pack order is set correctly they will know who the leader is and will respect your wishes to stop. In the wild, dog and wolf packs have their Alpha male and female animals. Those animals decide who will act and how and when and where. The Alpha male decides if a pack member will fight or not, not the pack member himself. In the wild these things are learned very quick because the pack structure in set from birth on. Well, it should be the same way at home with our dogs. If you are interested in this go to leerburg.com and read/listen to what Ed has to say about dominance issues and dealing with them.

Answer 10

Wow! I want my dogs to bark when someone knocks. Isn't that one of the many reasons to own a dog? I have seven and it sounds like a kennel here. I've laughed when the phone book delivery guy knocked. You never saw anyone drop a book so fast and run like the wind. It is a tremendous help keeping solicitors away.