Leading veterinary charity PDSA is calling on pet owners to recognise the signs of stress in their animals, warning that behaviours such as barking, leaping and dashing towards the door are often mistaken for disobedience. According to the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), what many owners perceive as 'naughty' behaviour is more often than not rooted in anxiety.
As part of Dog Awareness Week 2026, running until July 10, PDSA is urging owners to adopt straightforward reward-based training techniques to help their dogs remain calm, ease stress and reduce the risk of biting incidents. The charity emphasises that punishing a dog for barking is likely to make the situation worse because they are often already feeling worried or overwhelmed.
Understanding Canine Stress Signals
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.'
The charity points out that barking is not always a sign of excitement; it can also indicate that a pet is finding something difficult. PDSA advises owners to watch for the following signs of stress in their dog: excessive barking or jumping up, pacing and panting, whining, trembling or hiding away, ears pinned back, and difficulty settling after visitors leave.
Why Punishment Backfires
Shauna added: '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.' She noted that many dogs unknowingly rehearse the same behaviour every day: '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.'
Reward-Based Training Solutions
Instead of scolding dogs, PDSA advises owners to focus on teaching them 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.'
The charity recommends practising with recorded doorbell sounds or loud knocking before progressing to real visitors, and providing your dog with a stuffed food toy, puzzle feeder or safe chew while you answer the door. Owners should reward their dog whenever they choose to settle on their bed or mat, and avoid shouting or punishing barking, as this can increase fear and overexcitement. Training sessions should be kept short, positive and consistent.
When to Seek Professional Help
If a dog reacts with strong distress when someone arrives at the door, or if training is not making a difference, PDSA recommends seeking advice from a vet. The charity stresses that most dogs can learn to stay calm when the doorbell rings, but it takes patience and practice.
Experts at Dogs Trust warn that ignoring or discouraging early warning signs can teach a dog that subtle signals of fear do not work. As a result, they may feel they have no option but to escalate their behaviour next time, potentially to lunging or biting. Dogs Trust explains: '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.'
Pain and medical disorders can also affect a dog's behaviour. If your dog shows signs of being fearful, speak to your vet to check for underlying health problems that might be contributing. If the vet finds that your dog is in good health, then ask for a referral to an accredited behaviourist for individual support.
