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When ‘America’s Veterinarian’ becomes ‘The Dog Shouter’
By Dr. Marty Becker
May 28, 2010
When you call yourself “America’s Veterinarian,” people assume that your pets must be perfect: perfect health, perfect teeth, perfect coat, and of course, perfect manners.
And really, I pretty much practice what I preach. We feed our pets well, keep them slim, practice a high level of preventive care, brush their teeth every single day, socialize them thoroughly, and obedience train them.
There’s just one tiny, small, minor, almost completely unnoticeable imperfection — the ear-shattering sound that erupts from their clean-toothed mouths at the sound of the doorbell:
Yes, the dogs of Almost Heaven Ranch are the noisiest doorbell-triggered barkers in northern Idaho, and that, my friends, is why around here I’m not “America’s Veterinarian,” but “The Dog Shouter.”
“Quiet!” I pronounce in deafening tones. “Enough! Stop! Shut up!”
I’m sure you can imagine how well that works. They just think I’m joining in.
When my dog-trainer daughter, Mikkel Becker Shannon, came to stay recently, it was her turn to say “Enough.”
“You have to train them not to do this,” she told me firmly, hand in her pocket. When I agreed, I heard a little clicking sound just before she slipped me a cookie.
So now the whole family is taking steps to hit the canine mute button by letting them bark to inform us that someone is there, then giving them the command “Quiet.” If they don’t stop barking on command, they get a time-out.
And it’s working.
That’s right, friends. Now when I’m putting in my 12-hour work days at my desk, and the FedEx guy has the temerity to announce his presence by ringing the doorbell, we don’t get the “Chorus of the 16-pound Doorbells” anymore. We get the heavenly chorus that’s more appropriate to the angelic and obedient dogs, who belong to “America’s Veterinarian.”
And “The Dog Shouter” is no more.
How about you? What’s your deep dark pet behavior secret?
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We could probably use Mikkel’s help. That’s the only significant behavioral issue Cami and Harry have. Their territorial instinct (especially Cami’s) means bunnies and other critters in the yard/driveway (FedEx and UPS guys, cats, wild turkeys, deer, bunnies, and the occasional groundhog, known in our house as a “squeaver”) give rise to seriously loud, persistent dachshund alerts. When she’s in one of her moods, a wayward passing leaf or misplaced tree branch will set Cami off. She hates unauthorized intrusions of any kind on her property. Harry will join in to support his sister’s efforts like a loyal sibling should, but Cami IS Miss Barky Girl.
Comment by David S. Greene — May 28, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
What do you do if the dogs are already in crates and arE
start to bark when you pull in the driveway?
Comment by Amy Suggars — May 28, 2010 @ 4:37 pm
awww…we didn’t get to hear Dr. Marty, “The Dog Shouter!” LOL
Comment by Marcy — May 28, 2010 @ 5:34 pm
I just played that vid and my dog Roxi started running around barking—ROFL. OMgoodness.
Comment by Ericka Basile — May 28, 2010 @ 5:57 pm
Thanks, Dr. Marty. I played the vid but didn’t check the volume on my speakers. Yup, you guessed it. The doorbell and your pack set off my 5 adult dogs and they woke up the puppeh! Damn.
Comment by Deb Moulton — May 28, 2010 @ 6:36 pm
My dogs beg for food because I can’t train my HUSBAND not to give them tidbits while he eats. Fortunantly they are polite about it and calmly wait for their share. Since he is the one who gives in to them they sit and stare in his direction so it doesn’t bother me. (and he always asks, “Why don’t they pester you?” Hmmm I wonder.)
Comment by Marie — May 28, 2010 @ 7:20 pm
Mine have the same doorbell & anything in their yard problem. As well as anything or anyone in the neighbors yard, on the street,etc. And yes all 3 jumped up barking when they heard the video !
Comment by Leslie K — May 28, 2010 @ 9:41 pm
My dogs bark at the doorbell, and it’s fine with me.
As a women living alone, I like the deep “Woof Woof” Goodman emits at the door- makes me feel a bit safer (not that he will do anything more than barking- when I open the door he hides behind me :-) ).
Comment by Xslf — May 28, 2010 @ 10:30 pm
Have you looked into the Manners Minder? It works GREAT for re directing doorbell dogs!
OR try target training the dogs and teach them to actually ring a doorbell, my dogs ring a doorbell when they need to go out, then they go sit by where the leashes hang on the wall-so now when our real doorbell rings, they go to that spot and SIT ;) It takes time and patience, but it is worth it, especially at my house where we have 3 dogs that all used to ‘Go off’ at every little sound.
Comment by Susan — May 29, 2010 @ 7:41 am
Our only issue we’re working on right now is my middle girl’s insistence on announcing everyone and everything. LOOK! a dog! LOOK! a person! LOOK! a squirrel!
When I ask her to quit, she does, but the random barking (LOOK! a leaf!) is frustrating. I suppose if this is my worst behaviour problem, I’m doing ok.
Comment by Kim — May 30, 2010 @ 1:20 pm