Barking and lunging at the door when someone knocks

GretchenandHunter

My two weims bark and lunge at the door when someone knocks. If I am lucky enough to get to the door to open it, they run out and surround whoever it is, jump and act crazy. Any advice for this??

weimdogmom · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject:

Do they know, will they do, a good "Sit, stay"? If not, work on this. When they are very good at it, start inviting lots of people to stop by. When the doorbell rings, put them in a "Sit, stay". At first, it may need to be in another room, and you may need some help. (Or if there is an alternate that you would like from them other than sit/stay -- work on it with them). You should be able to gradually allow them closer to the door when someone rings the bell. Remember praise and reward for improvement.

As always, when they are doing one thing, they cannot do something else. So, when they are sitting, they cannot lunge.

PamK · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:47 pm Post subject:

I wish Derek would bark when someone comes to the door. Embarassed

My neighbors laugh because he doesn't make a noise. Sometimes he doesn't even wake up. He is curious though so strangers do tend to back away when he comes with me as I open the door.

Indian · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:06 pm Post subject:

Ummmm, They're dogs? Seriously, if this bothers you, You probably need to think about getting a cat. Dogs are Territorial animals, and they protect they're territory. Rolling Eyes

You can try and break this behavior, but I doubt you will be successful. And why anyways? It's a good deterrent from break-ins and the like.

AmyB · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:22 pm Post subject:

Allerting you to someone at the door is one thing but rude behavior and not following commands is another. You can be very successful at teaching your dogs to sit and stay when you are about to open the door for someone. It's going to take time and consistency and alot of one on one training, meaning don't try training both dogs at the same time by yourself. Weimdogmom gave you some good advice. Very Happy

NenaGunther · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:22 pm Post subject:

When people come to our house, they are asked to ignore the dogs. I make them give the person space to come in, but then its ok to smell the person. Its sometimes hard for people to ignore them, but I usually talk them through it and they get the idea.

Usually after the smelling, our dogs will just go lye down on the floor.

waitingonmyweim · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:47 pm Post subject:

There's been a couple really good Dog Whisperer episodes dealing with this same issue, where the jumping and barking and lunging was significantly reduced (you'll probably never get them to stop barking when the doorbell rings).

From what I can remember, you have to "own" the area around door and get them under control before you open the door. So realistically you'd have to practise with someone helping you, because if it takes you 5 minutes to get them calm and sitting, your guests will have left by then!

Indian · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 1:24 pm Post subject:

I have to post my opinion on not just this particular thing but a lot of what I've seen posted on this forums lately. Again, they are dogs, this is what dogs do, ALL dogs. If you have dogs that sit and don't bark when strangers invade they're territory, Well you simply have "broken" dogs with broken spirits. Your asking them to stop doing something they're breed to do. Rude or not this is inherently in any dogs behavior. One of my Wiems runs and hides when ever the door is opened and I come home, Know why this is? Because someone beat or severely punished this dog for that very behavior, Pretty pathetic and abusive if you ask me, I call people that do this, control freaks TBH. This is along the same lines of over crating dogs, people don't want to be bothered by the inconvenient things that they're dogs do, so they lock them in a cage that they can't even turn around in. I see way to many people asking what to do because they have a dog who is out of control when out of it's crate. Guess why! You just left a high energy dog breed in a freaking cage for 8 to 10 hrs where it couldn't even stand up. That's why.There are as many pictures of wiems in crates on this site as there are of wiems out of crates! My own personal thought on a lot of what I read on here is some people want the attention, and the status that a "pretty" dog brings them, But when it comes to being a responsible owner, They can't be bothered. They want furniture not a living breathing being that they actually *GASP* have to take care of.

Sorry in advance if this offended anyone, If you feel guilty after reading it well, if the shoe fits....

After what I've read in the last month or so on here.....I'm pretty bent out of shape about a lot of it, to say the least. I used to wonder why so many wiems, hell, dogs in general were in rescues and in need of a new home, After a year on these forums I understand all to well why.

Again sorry if I offended.

waitingonmyweim · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 1:58 pm Post subject:

Indian - gotta love you for having such strong opinions!

I agree with some of what you've said, specifically that some people view their dogs like expensive accessories.

But for some dogs, being crated during the day is a necessity for the dog's own safety. There's only so much dog-proofing you can do to your house - a lonely bored Weim will find something to eat or chew and could choke or get very sick.

Indian · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject:

Oh I understand that, It's the people that crate when they are home because the dog is an inconvenience to them that I'm talking about. A lot of what I've read I can deduce with pretty fair certainty that there are some dogs on here that are border line abused. We all suspect it, I'll just say it.

I guess after the whole dog being put down because some smacktard couldn't treat that dog like a living being in the first place that has me pretty upset.

peppernaei · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject:

Indian - I will start by saying that I am not offended because I like that my dogs alert me and I personally feel I have no behavioral issues with my dogs (others may chose to disagree). I have recently been told I am too soft with my dogs but there I disagree. We have a relationship and respect both ways. I see no need to be overly strong with or yell at my dogs. As I believe we should also treat each other (humans that is). I am sorry your dog was mistreated. I have experience with dogs, horses and humans who have been emotionally scared and I feel that they are often far worse off than those with physical scares which heal and disappear. Off topic but I have witnesses some wonderful transformations in parings of animals and humans who have both suffered abuse.

There have been some trying posts on this site and as a lifetime dog owner I often don't understand why the problems seem insurmountable. From your post however I don't get whether you feel all training is barbaric? Should dogs be allowed to roam free and do as they please? Mouthing, humping and marking are natural behaviours people often discourage. I have dealt with many res dogs that have total freedom and I believe my dogs have a better existence. In my experience there is no reason that a behaviour can not be redirected in a positive way without "breaking" spirits. It may take time but many destructive behaviours can be corrected with guidance and trust.

As a believer in crate training I disagree with your point. I have yet to see anyone on the forum post a picture of a crate that is too small (dog can not stand up or turn around). Often I read that someone has decided to buy an oversized crate. I have read of instances where a dog or puppy is expected to spend excessive amounts of time in the crate and the poster doesn't understand the messes or "separation anxiety" (I put that in quotes as I believe it is often boredom/lack of exercise and stimulation rather than sa -- just as I don't understand how 30 of the 45 boys I taught this May had ADHD). A few of my previous rescues (not Weims) had real difficulties being rehabilitated and a crate became their only aly to not being put down. Afterwards they were lovely dogs who were happy to spend out their days sleeping where they felt like it but initially they were a danger to themselves.

I do believe that Weims as a "pretty" dog sometimes do suffer from becoming "accessories". I recently heard a breeder joke about all the calls she turned away because of the lack of knowledge of the breed and the feeling that the people believed "a gray dog fits with any colour of furniture". I am often shocked by: the need to have a dog "yesterday" (impulse buy) without even researching where the dog is coming from; knowing little about the breed; never actually seeing one in person and having to convince family that they want a dog (of any breed). Knowing I wanted a Weim when I was more settled I waited 10 years for mine and then another 8 months after we decided it was the right time for us. In the meantime we got our fixes through stalking every owner we could find. I wouldn't have done it any other way as he is a joy to our lives every day.

***Edited to add that your post came in above mine while I was typing and does clarify somethings but I decided to leave mine as is***

Howard · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject:

Indian - great post! It is not just weims. Many people we know get dogs to have a dog. Not to be part of the family. My wife sees this at her vet all the time. People ask how much something will cost and then reply "for a dog?" They want to be a family member, not just expensive and pretty when it is convenient. That is just my 2 cents Smile

As far as lunging at the door and jumping on people if this is not the behavior that you want modify it. I don't mean over controlling and abusing, just have a treat jar by the door and do what others have said with the sit and stay. Remember they trust you and want to please. But you have to be calm and treat them gently. Especially if that is what you want from them. They learn well by example.

weimdogmom · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:16 pm Post subject:

Indian, I agree with much of what you said. I think that many people do want a pretty and fashionable dog. A status symbol. And many do not bother to research breeds enough to know which breed is right for them and their lifestyle. Sometimes, after a dog is in their home, then they do research and learn and it works out well. Others discard the dogs for trivial reasons.

I thought the original question asked here was what to do about a dog who barked and lunged when someone knocked on the door. Our dogs bark when someone approaches the house, or even walks by on the sidewalk. I see nothing wrong with that. But, if someone comes to the door, we want to be able to open the door and not have a dog run out or act crazy or jump on the person. And we didn't have to hurt or abuse them so they learn to sit and stay. I don't believe they are "broken" dogs and neither do they have broken spirits. (We are not talking about someone breaking into our home -- I have no idea, fortunately, what they would do in that situation.)

Training should never equal abuse or harm the dog. It should never break a dogs spirit. What a sad thing it is when that happens.

simis · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject:

I think it all comes down to a matter of training. Are your dogs Gretchen & Hunter unruly at other times, for example off leash in a public space - or is it just this instance?

My weim goes absolutely beserk when the doorbell rings, and I don't mind one bit. Why you may ask? Because for one, as others have pointed out, I WANT her to alert me to people at my house, and secondly, she is a dog and a protective breed at that.

Do you consistently train them? Do you have a command for "quiet"? Practice with someone in your household to knock on the door while you have the two dogs leashed and under control. Slowly (and I mean slowly - if it takes 5 minutes to get to the door so be it) get closer to the door and make them sit & stay. DO NOT open the door until they are calm and under your control. I really do not condone hitting a dog - I strongly encourage positive training and reinforcement. Karen Pyror's clicker training seems to work very well with these guys IMO.

Goodluck!!!

versatilek9s · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:52 am Post subject: