Dogs can be wonderful friends and companions.
They are very protective of the people they love.
Barking is part of their natural behavior, but they can be trained not to bark, particularly when someone rings the doorbell.
This sort of behavior can be particularly bothersome if you live in an apartment building or at times of neighborhood activity such as Halloween.
The most important thing to remember when training a puppy not to bark is patience.
You need to be firm, but not angry and have patience while they learn how you want them to behave.
When training a puppy not to bark, rather than answer the door right away when it rings, go to the dog and make them sit.
This is a submissive, but attentive posture for the dog.
They understand they need to listen to your next commend.
Then, with direct eye contact and in a firm but not angry voice, say "no.
" Do not hit the dog as this only makes the dog afraid and is not associated with the behavior.
While you have the dog's eye contact, put your hand out, palm down saying "no" again (same voice).
This motion should be used whenever you are saying the word no as it creates a visual representation of the command.
If the dog barks while you go to the door, turn and face the dog, make them sit again and re-affirm the command "no.
" Continue this process until you can open the door without the dog barking.
Make sure to praise the dog by petting or patting on the head when the dog doesn't bark when the doorbell rings.
You may need to repeat this behavior several times with several different guests ringing your doorbell until the dog is fully trained.
Training a puppy not to bark is simple and yet takes patience.
While this example is for training a puppy not to bark at the doorbell, the same methods can be used to train the puppy to not bark at any normal event.
What you cannot train a puppy to ignore is the idea of a threat - and you don't want to.
When a threat is present, they should bark.
A puppy can learn when it is and is not appropriate to bark.
It is up to you to train your puppy when it is OK to bark.