The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) is urging pet owners to recognise that behaviours often dismissed as 'naughty'—such as barking, jumping, and racing to the door when the post arrives—are frequently signs of stress in dogs. As part of Dog Awareness Week 2026, running until July 10, the charity is promoting reward-based training to help dogs remain calm, reduce anxiety, and lower the risk of biting.
Why Dogs React to the Door
PDSA Vet Nurse Shauna Walsh explained: "Dogs often see the front door as part of their territory, so when someone arrives unexpectedly, their instinct is to investigate or alert their family. While this behaviour is completely normal, it can quickly become stressful for both dogs and pet owners if it gets out of hand, and in some extreme cases can even lead to a dog biting."
Many dogs unknowingly rehearse the same behaviour daily. "From your dog's perspective, barking works. The post person arrives, your dog barks, and then the post person leaves. Your dog may genuinely believe they've chased the visitor away, which reinforces the behaviour every time it happens," Walsh added.
Signs of Stress vs. Bad Behaviour
The charity highlights that barking is not always a sign of excitement; it can indicate that a pet is struggling. PDSA recommends looking for these stress signals:
- Excessive barking or jumping up
- Pacing and panting
- Whining, trembling, or hiding away
- Ears pinned back
- Difficulty settling after visitors leave
"Punishing a dog for barking is likely to make the situation worse because they're often already feeling worried or overwhelmed. Rewarding calm behaviour is far more effective and helps build your dog's confidence," Walsh said.
Training Tips for Calmer Responses
Rather than telling dogs off, PDSA suggests teaching a new routine: "Instead of focusing on stopping the barking, teach your dog what you'd like them to do instead. For example, training them to go to their bed or mat when the doorbell rings gives them a clear job, helps them feel secure and makes answering the door much calmer for everyone."
PDSA also recommends practising with recorded doorbell sounds or loud knocks before moving on to real visitors, and giving your dog a stuffed food toy, puzzle feeder, or safe chew while you answer the door. Always reward them whenever they choose to relax on their bed or mat. Never shout or punish barking, as this can increase the dog's fear and excitement—keep training short, positive, and consistent.
When to Seek Professional Help
If a dog shows signs of severe distress when someone comes to the door, or if training doesn't seem to be helping, PDSA recommends consulting a vet. Dogs Trust also warns that ignoring or discouraging early warning signs can teach a dog that subtle signals of fear don't work, potentially leading to escalated behaviour like lunging or biting.
"If your dog shows any signs of aggression, avoid the triggers for that behaviour as much as possible. This might mean keeping your dog completely away from whatever appears to be making them feel uncomfortable. Then seek help from your vet or a qualified behaviourist as soon as possible," Dogs Trust advises. Pain and medical disorders can affect behaviour, so a vet check is essential to rule out underlying health problems.
