What to do when a puppy barks at every doorbell

A puppy that goes off at the doorbell is usually practicing an alarm, not being ‘bad.’ If you shout from the kitchen, you add a second loud voice, and the habit gets stronger. I have better luck with a short rehearsal. One person rings the bell. The other guides the puppy to a mat or bed and feeds a few treats while it stays quiet. The door opens only after the barking stops. Keep sessions short, and do them when you are not expecting a delivery. If the puppy is overtired or hasn’t had much exercise, start with sleep and a walk before you train. We wrote a fuller version of this plan for new owners at Love My Puppy: https://lovemypuppy.store/barking-puppy-training/

Love My Puppy / Larry Meyers