One of my big failings with Chester was training him to be calm when the doorbell rings. He’d just go ballistic, running around barking, whining, and unable to listen to me.

About a month or so ago, I read about training for calm at the doorbell on http://www.clickertraining.com/. Although I’d worked on it in the past, in several different ways, the article made sense to me and I decided to give it a try.

I’m not sure if it was just the right time, or if they’ve had enough training, or the planets were just in alignment, but I found that within a few days they were learning how to go to mat when I put my hand on the doorknob and said “just a minute” (without the doorbell).

Within a couple of weeks, we began training with the doorbell, too. I’m still not sure what I did right this time . . . all I know is that now I can answer the door (granted, they have to wait while I make sure the dogs are sitting on their mat — that’s what the “just a minute” is for), even hold the door open while talking to whoever is outside — and the dogs stay inside.

Chester is still very barky during this process. I think I can eventually get that under control, too. He isn’t as barky in the backyard (with me) as he used to be. We’ve worked on “quiet” a lot. Lola is still pretty barky in the backyard, although she’s surprisingly quiet when the doorbell rings usually.

And then there’s the garage door opener. That really sets them both off!

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