Dogs out the Door!!

Overall, I'm pretty laid back. Not much bothers me. Dogs on the furniture. Dogs kissing my face. Dogs begging for food. Dogs eating tissues. (Its a dog thing) Holes dug in my back yard.
Just...things you live with when you have dogs.
One thing that does bother me hugely - both at my house and when I go elsewhere is when dogs attack at the door. Either run out the door like escaping prisoners or standing around barking like fools when the bell rings. Geeze, guys, give it a rest!
There are a few things to think about. One is, no matter how cute it is when baby puppy attacks the door and the people there, just project how cute its going to be when he's grown. Even if grown is five pounds sopping wet - do you want to be jumping up and down yelling 'stop it stop it don't!' all your life?? I thought not. So if puppy or grown dog - figure out a different behavior for them to do when the door bell rings or the outside door is opened.
What do you want them to do and 'just quit' is Not the right answer. They have to have another behavior to do to replace the one they are doing. Find a mat for them to sit on, a place for them to go to, a chew toy to bring you, a treat for them to sit quietly for. Something.
Then, just like you did with sit and down, you practice. Put them on a leash so you can step on it, and get some control.
Sit down and watch a movie (and here you thought it was going to be work!!). I like the movies on sci-fi - the end of the world as we know it! Hurricanes! Mutant bugs! Godzilla! Meteors!
But, well, that's just me. And every time the commercial segments come on (and they come on a LOT) you and buddy will practice the behavior you want doggie to do. He sneaks out and rings the doorbell, you grab leash and lead dog to where you want him to do. Give YUMMY treat. (I like to do this when puppy is Very hungry) repeat three or four times until the movie comes back on. Sit down, watch the movie. Do it again next commercial time. For 2 hours. By that time, puppy should hear the door bell and run for the mat, sit there and wag excitedly.
Now this is NOT the end of the teaching. It will still have to be reinforced, but its a very good start.
Tomorrow's post - wait at the door.