Dog Afraid of Doorbell and Other Sounds (Email Query From Dog Owners)
Email Query From Dog Owners
(Question by Rebacca, Location:- Priorslee, Telford)
Hello my name is Rebacca from Priorslee, Telford. I have a pure breed German Shepherd, Rox, – 4 years old. We got Rox from a local breeder when he was approximately 8 weeks old. We have always kept him on proper play, quality food and lots of love. Rox is a great companion and has good level of intelligence. All we are concerned about him is that he shows fearful behavior to the sounds of door bell.
We have replaced the doorbell with a better sounding one, but the condition for Rox remained all unchanged. Is there any way we can help Rox get better with the doorbell sounds? However we have tried in as many ways as possible, but failed. The doorbell has become big issue for him.
Response to Rebecca's mail
Dear Rebecca, thanks for mailing us your problem.
Rox’s problem is common, if not heard of too frequently. This is a common problem for many dog owners. While some owners seem to be concerned about their dogs being afraid of sounds of doorbells, cell phone and telephone rings, others look for tips to desensitizing their dogs to sounds of vacuum cleaners, hairdryers and honking horns.
Socialization comes to play its role here.
Rox needs to be conditioned to the sounds of doorbells. The aim is to establishing a favorable association between the particular sounds with some sort of positive experiences.
The process involves two sets of tasks
1. Creating a healthy, stable and positive state of mind in Rox
2. Introducing the doorbell sound when Rox is in absolutely good state of mind
A positive state of mind can be established with some activities that Rox likes. It should be some kind of indoor play that Rox like. With outdoor activities the doorbell sounds will be hard to be conditioned. The best methods may be running your dog up and down stairs, repeatedly hiding his bones or toys and set him to search, or engaging him in a fun filled game of fetch and keep away. A laser pointer can be a mind blowing tool in this session. Shine the laser pointer on the floor and toss the light pointer from side to side or back and forth and engage Rox in chasing the light point. Remember: pointing the laser beam into the eye will cause permanent ocular damage. So be careful.
Once your dog is completely engrossed in his play (which means once he is in perfect state of mind) ask somebody to play the doorbell sound for one time only. When the doorbell sound is played do not stop the play until few more seconds, so it helps Rox to be in the same state of mind. Give him some rest if he tired and repeat it again. Next time play the sound twice or thrice with intervals in a single session. Repeat the cycle several times in a day and continue it until your dog establishes a positive link between sound and fun.
In the first couple of sessions Rox may break out from his positive state of mind and try to move away from the situation. Do not lose hope and stop. Be assertive. A positive and strong behavior displayed by his pack leader (You) will help him to gain positive energy. Repetitions must be continued.
Rewarding is necessary, but at the right time
As soon as Rox starts showing assertive and non-fearing behavior, you know that it’s the time to be rewarded. Until then ‘NO REWARDS’. Pat him with assertive and positive behavior and praise him lavishly with couple of positive words as rewards. Take him to the door step and open the door.
The last and the most important part…
Gradually take out the play. In the first few sessions the play should be continued for some moments - say, a couple of minutes, after the sound. Gradually decrease the time of play after the sound. After a few days of sessions, try stopping the play on the sound of the bell. Continue with the reward session every time your dog shows desirable behavior with positive state of mind..
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