training to CALMLY answer the door?

[Carol McCasland]

Help!  I am working with Cody to have him act CALMLY when the doorbell rings.  Currently, he runs down the stairs, barking, whining, anticipating whoever is at the door.  He thinks everyone is there to greet HIM!  When someone does come in, he is all over them. No amount of training so far has worked!  I ask people to not pet him, and to ignore him but he is persistent.  After 10 minutes, he's over it and is calm.   He knows how to sit, go down, wait, stay (for no more than a minute), but when the doorbell rings, he is not interested in treats, only getting to the guest.  Any ideas?

[Carol McCasland]

Maybe Dixie's comment about being too calm lately has transferred over to Cody and his door answering training! I am VERY happy to report that yesterday and today, he waited at the top of the stairs when Mia (9 year old neighbor) rang the bell. He knew it was her, and yet he didn't race down the stairs! Well, to be fair, he did at first, bur on command, went back up the stairs, and waited until she came in before racing down the stairs! And I was there with the promise of a special treat if he didn't race down! He was so conflicted! TREAT? or MIA? But he made the right decision and waited for the treat! YEA!!!! And he can also 'go to your spot' once Mia comes in to the living room and stays for about 3 minutes! This is HUGE!

[Beth Lord]

Awesome!!