Aggression upon doorbell

[rkg]

I was very scared last night. I just moved in with family and they have a doorbell (which I never had before). Someone rang the doorbell last night and both my dogs (I have a shepherd and pit mix - one female one male) starting barking and going crazy. Out of nowhere, my pit mix (Male- neutered) jumped on top of my other dog and started attacking her. Luckily she fought back and I was able to pull him off and out of the room.

They have always gotten along but my pit mix is highly reactive, fearful and dog aggressive with many other dogs. I'm wondering if this means that they should never be out together just in case the doorbell rings. I've been doing click/treat training with them - especially the pit mix - and wondering if anyone thinks C/T will help with this behavior or should I just resign myself to crate and rotate life? Thanks for any suggestions or help.

[adoptapitbull]

I'd try to desensitize him to the doorbell. You could train him to sit and stay when the doorbell rings so that he won't redirect onto the other dog, or go nutty when a guest comes in. During the training, crate the other dog so it's just him in the room, and then switch them so you can train the female too.

In the meantime put a sign up or cover up the bell so people won't ring it. Have a sign that says, "Please call/knock instead of ringing the bell"

[rkg]

Thanks so much! I will definitely put up the sign - great idea!

[PBLove]

I have had to teach some of the dogs I worked with to go to a certain spot when they heard the door bell ring. This was more because of jumping, but have also done it with dogs who are people reactive so that they feel they are in their safe place. You would have to desensitize him to it first, but once he is desensitized, it may be a good thing to teach him so that he feels he knows what to do when the door bell rings. One product I have heard works well, but have not personally used is the MannersMinder by Premier www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/mannersminder/productdescription

I have always just used treats to lure them to their spot (a bed, crate, area of the room) and associate it with a command, "go to your spot, bed, crate, etc."

[RealPitBull]

I have heard great things about the Manners Minder. I actually need to buy one to test it out, but never heard anyone complain about it. I think it is an awesome invention.

[PBLove]

We have one at the daycare I train at. I have read through the manual and love what I read! I'm glad you have heard good things as well! I will definitely be borrowing it.

[loverocksalot]

I ditto the desensitize. We learned in a class to go to spot with a wireless door bell. bell meant go to spot. Rocky did wonderful. Except in real life does not work as he looses it when a visitor comes wheather they knock or ring. He gets so excited he just cant keep his butt on his spot. That manners minder thing looks like it would work great for this. But i am concerned that Rocky will try to eat his way to the treats. And ruin a very expensive training tool. I believe my dad bought one for his agility training. I will have to ask if I can give it a try.