Dogs are territorial animals and a lot of them get vocal when a stranger knocks on your door.
Dogs are also very social and get excited to greet anyone coming to visit.
This can be very frustrating for the visitor and owner.
Learn a simple technique that you can use to control your dog when someone comes to visit.
The trick to controlling your dog when someone comes over is to control the situation not your dog.
You see, most people try to control the dog in this situation.
When someone knocks on your door your dog's excitement level goes through the roof.
When your dog is that excited it is very difficult to train.
The first step is to bring your dog's excitement level down.
When someone knocks on your door don't follow your dog to the door.
Your dog will run to the door and look back for you.
Wait a few minutes and you'll see your dogs excitement level come down.
After a minute or two go towards the door but focus on your dog.
Give your dog the command "Sit" and "Stay.
" As you put your hand on the doorknob your dog will probably get up.
The second your dog gets up quickly pull your hand away and repeat the command.
Tell your dog to "Sit, stay" again and put your hand on the doorknob.
Keep repeating until you can open the door.
The second you open the door a fraction of an inch your dog will probably get up again.
Quickly shut the door and repeat the command.
You are using the door to control your dog's behavior.
Your dog wants to see who is on the other side.
He wants to greet the person.
Behavior is reward driven, the reward in this situation is on the other side of the door.
You use the door to get your dog to do the command.
After a few minutes you'll be able to get your dog to hold the stay command as you open the door.
Once you can open the door without your dog moving invite the person in and let your dog greet the person.